Calgary’s $100 cup of coffee is so exclusive you need a reservation to try it
You may have tried some expensive wines or maybe even forked out to head to a whisky tasting. But what about testing out luxury coffee?
Millions drink coffee every day, whether from a local coffee shop or at home. However, there is a whole world of pricey coffees to try. Getting your hands on a cup in Canada can be tricky, though. That is until now.
Calgary-founded coffee spot Phil & Sebastian is hosting a unique coffee-tasting experience in the city starting this month, where guests can try one of the world’s most expensive coffees, coming in at a whopping $100 per cup.
The coffee
If you’re wondering just how a cup of coffee comes to cost $100, you probably aren’t alone.
The coffee was recognized in the Best of Panama coffee competition, which Sebastien Sztabzyb, co-founder of Phil & Sebastian, calls the “world’s most prestigious competition.”
In the Best of Panama competition, which is for Panamanian growers that specialize in high-quality coffee, each coffee goes through a rigorous judging process, with the top-scored coffees at the end selected for an E-Auction. Enter Phil & Sebastian.
Phil & Sebastian was able to purchase one kilo of Finca Sophia Washed Geisha, one of the most exclusive and highly awarded coffees in the world, which sold for an eye-watering US$3,500 a kilo at auction (around C$5,000).
Doing the math, one kilo serves around 50 servings of coffee, bringing the total cost to $100 per cup.
“For us to have one kilo of this coffee, which is all we were able to get, is pretty special,” Sztabzyb added.
The experience
At Dished, we were able to get a sneak peek of the experience. As novices to coffee tasting, we didn’t know what to expect from a $100 cup of coffee, but we were keen to find out what makes it so special.
We arrived at the Simmons Building, home to Phil & Seb’s roastery, where we met Sztabzyb for the tasting. During the 45-minute session, he walked us through the story of Finca Sophia, the coffee, and the Best of Panama auction before getting started on the tasting itself.
Of course, Sztabzyb was also able to guide us through the brewing process, including the equipment he was using to ensure the best results, and then it was time to try the coffee.
The beverage was served in custom cups by local ceramicist Quinspired, which really added to the sense of occasion.
As for the coffee itself, it was unlike anything we’ve tried before. The flavour profile was incredibly unique, with its notes changing as the coffee cooled. It opened our eyes to just how expansive the world of coffee can be.
How to try for yourself
The good news is that coffee fans in Calgary will soon be able to try out the Finca Sophia Washed Geisha for themselves, as Phil & Sebastian will be hosting tastings from January 20.
As part of the tasting, each serving of the coffee will be brewed by either Sebastian or Phil at the Simmons Building, where guests will learn even more in person about the rare Geisha coffee.
But if you want to try it out yourself, you’ll need to move fast, as spaces are extremely limited, with only 25 available. Reservations for the experience can be made on Phil & Sebastian’s website.
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