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Coffee is an integral part of many people's daily routine. Just one sip of this caffeinated beverage can add energy to your whole day. But do you know about a humble coffee shop in Japan that sells one cup for more than 50k. Yes, you read it right. The Münch, located in the Yao district southeast of Osaka, Japan has earned international recognition for offering one of the world’s most exclusive brews. With a huge cost of 100,000 yen (approximately $900 or ₹54,000), a cup of coffee here is more than just a beverage, it’s a travel through time and dedication.
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The Origin Of This Signature Coffee
The Münch's signature coffee is a result of a fortuitous accident. Decades ago, owner and sole barista Kanji Tanaka accidentally left a batch of iced coffee in his refrigerator for six months. When he rediscovered it, instead of discarding it, Tanaka decided to taste the forgotten brew. To his surprise, it had transformed into a richly flavoured, syrupy delight, sparking his curiosity about serving aged coffee.
Inspired by this discovery, Tanaka began experimenting, aging green coffee beans for years under carefully controlled conditions. He later introduced wooden barrels, popular in Japan at the time for enhancing alcohol into the process. Over the decades, this method evolved, resulting in the 22-year-old vintage coffee that has made The Münch a destination for coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
Know About The Brewing Process
Preparing this extraordinary coffee is as intricate as its aging process. Once the 22-year-old green beans are roasted to perfection, they are ground finely and brewed using the Nel Drip method. This traditional Japanese technique involves a cloth filter and slow, deliberate extraction. In Tanaka’s hands, the process becomes an art form as the first drop takes 30 minutes to emerge. The coffee is then transferred into small wooden barrels for additional aging, a technique inspired by whiskey-making. The barrels impart subtle and nuanced flavours to the brew.
An Amalgamation of Flavours In A Regal Cup
When served, the coffee arrives jet-black and glistening in a rare Meissen porcelain cup to add a touch of royalty to the experience. The flavours are as extraordinary as the process, syrupy sweetness mingles with dark chocolate richness, underpinned by wine-like fruity notes. Though The Münch’s $900 coffee is its most famous offering, the shop also sells other beverages priced between $10 and $20. Despite its unassuming exterior and minimal online presence, The Münch has become a bucket-list destination for coffee aficionados. While few people may find the price too much for one cup of coffee but for those who are passionate about caffeinated beverages, sipping this is like a dream.