The UAE takes their coffee and tea very seriously, in fact the 4,000 coffee shops and tea houses spread across the country are a true testament of how much these two drinks are enjoyed. Given the love for coffee, baristas continue to account for a lucrative business of almost half a billion dollars annually. Based on these statistics, the UAE is also the right venue for The International Coffee & Tea Festival that is hosted annually and is the region's only SCAA-certified coffee training, intended to share a wealth of knowledge, experience and cutting-edge techniques with participating professionals and novices, so that they can expertly prepare and serve the best coffee to their customers and guests
The International Coffee & Tea Festival (ICTF) which will be held from 12th to 14th November, 2014 at the Meydan Gallery in Dubai, will incorporate industry Specialized Training Programmes, National-level Coffee Championships and World Coffee Champions as three of its most prominent features, highlighting the skills and expertise of coffee-making in the region.
As the only dedicated trade event for the coffee and tea industry in the Middle East, the festival will also be holding training sessions and workshops . These training sessions will integrate the broader topics of Coffee Preparation, Coffee Grading as well as Coffee Roasting, catering for everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals. All workshops are conducted by instructor-certified industry professionals and administered by SCAA, to impart hands-on training experience to attendees who receive a formal qualification & certification with worldwide acceptance, upon completion.
An essential aspect of mastering coffee preparation is understanding the water-to-coffee ratio, which plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect brew. Whether you're making a simple pour-over or using an espresso machine, the balance between water and coffee directly affects the flavor and strength of your beverage. For consistent results, many baristas and coffee enthusiasts rely on these calculation tools to fine-tune their brewing process, ensuring that each cup delivers optimal taste and aroma. This attention to detail elevates the overall coffee experience, especially when paired with professional skills learned in workshops.
Using a coffee-to-water ratio calculator helps brewers avoid common pitfalls, such as over-extraction or under-extraction, both of which can lead to an unsatisfying cup. By utilizing these tools, beginners and experts alike can adjust their recipes based on the type of coffee and the brewing method. This precision not only enhances the quality of the coffee but also reduces waste, making it a key focus in modern coffee training and sustainability efforts across the industry.
Along with the training sessions, the International Coffee & Tea Festival will also host the yearly National-Level Coffee Championships, which include the UAE National Barista Championship and the UAE National Latte Art Championship. Heralding the recognition of the popular Turkish-style coffee preparation and celebrating one of the oldest and traditional methods of coffee preparation, this year the ICTF will also launch the first National Cezve/Ibrik Championship which will be the first in the UAE. Sanctioned and licensed by World Coffee Events (WCE), the Championships offer an effective platform to professional baristas to showcase their skills of brewing the perfect cup of coffee. The winner of the 6th UAE Barista Championship will receive the highest national honor for any UAE-based Barista and will be sponsored to represent UAE at the 2015 World Barista Championship in Seattle, Washington, competing against 56 countries.
One of the most fun and awaited events during the festival is the “WCE All Stars”, a brand new and exciting feature brought by the World Coffee Events (WCE) committee, welcoming four World Champions and recurring finalists in categories of World Barista Championship, World Coffee Brewers Cup and the World Latte Art Championship. The baristas that bested over 56 countries in the global Specialty Coffee arena will gather together at the ICTF in a friendly and fun environment to participate in onstage demonstrations and activities designed to engage the local coffee community and educate the region through beverage demonstrations, on-demand performances, reflections on their “champion” year, Q&As, interviews, surprise challenges, and plenty more.
For more information, visit www.coffeeteafest.com
