Category: News

Celebrating International Coffee Day on 1 October, Emirates highlights more than 170,000 kilograms annual consumption of the beverage by coffee-loving customers, celebrating the wide array of artisan coffee served in Emirates lounges and onboard flights to 140 destinations around the world, including Emirates’ own signature blend of traditional Arabic coffee.

Inflight Delight: 130,000 kilograms of coffee served by Emirates each year

Emirates serves more than 130,000 kilograms of coffee onboard every year, and even commissions its own signature blend of Arabic Coffee in collaboration with artisan local producer, Mattina.

Mattina’s Arabic Coffee blend for Emirates uses the finest quality Arabica beans, complemented by natural cardamom and saffron, in line with the traditional recipes passed down through generations and replicating the ceremonial coffee experience that has been central to Arabian hospitality for centuries. The blend features Arabica beans from the Cerrado de Minas region of Brazil, known for their smooth, mild, and aromatic character. These beans are lightly roasted to create the light brownish colour that is characteristic of the Arabic Emirati Qahwa. The Emirates Arabic Coffee is blended with cardamom from the highlands of Guatemala famous for its rich and intense flavours, a spice that gives Qahwa its distinctive, aromatic taste, while also featuring subtle hints of world’s finest saffron, adding to the authenticity of the Qahwa tradition. Emirates signature blend of Arabic coffee is served inflight to First Class customers globally and is also available to order in the First and Business Class Lounges.

Across the Emirates network, a myriad of coffee types and producers are offered to customers inflight including Lavazza, Coffee Planet, the Nairobi Coffee and Tea Company, and a host of independent suppliers globally. As part of the meal service, Economy and Premium Economy customers are offered coffee once or twice during their flight, while Business and First Class customers can order from a Lavazza Italian coffee menu on demand, including options like decaffeinated coffee, cappuccino, iced Americano, espresso, macchiato and affogato al café. Emirates also works with Coffee Planet to create bespoke drinks for special occasions like Christmas and Valentine’s Day, such as the rose-kissed mocha or orange crush latte.

Lounges for Coffee Connoisseurs: 40,000 kilograms of coffee served by Emirates each year

The 5.1 million customers that relax in the 7 luxurious Emirates Lounges in Dubai each year consume an average of 26,000 kilograms of coffee beans. In the First Class lounge in Concourse B, Dubai International Airport, Emirates has a dedicated coffee counter where customers can choose between a variety of three single blend origin coffees freshly prepared by a barista. Each coffee presents a variety of aromas, acidity and bitterness and the Emirates team have been specially trained to suggest the best coffee for the customer’s preferences. The selection changes every three months so that regular travellers can sample beans from all around the world. For example, Colombia Huila Buenavista is juicy and silky bodied coffee with a sweet cacao nib like finish and floral notes as well as hints of apricot, grapes, blackberry and grapefruit. Burundi Nyagishiru has a mild fruity aroma, a smooth finish of milk chocolate, brown spice, caramel and stone fruit, with a tart acidity and velvety texture. Brazil Sao Vale Do Sol is a medium bodied coffee with a mild fruity aroma, citrus acidity, aromas and notes of grapefruit, vanilla, almond, chocolate with clean finish. The First and Business Class Lounges also feature Costa Coffee, an Emirates Leisure Retail company, where a wide range of coffees and complementary food are served.

In the 34 Emirates Lounges in cities across the world, 2.1 million customers access the luxury lounges each year with an annual consumption of 14,000 kilograms of coffee beans.

Curated Coffee Training for Emirates Cabin Crew

Emirates Cabin Crew receive specialised coffee training, where they learn about the origins of coffee, different blends and how to make the perfect cup for every customer. In practical training sessions, cabin crew learn how to serve and present each coffee type and are assessed on the preparation and delivery of Emirates signature Arabic coffee. First Class passengers can enjoy their coffee in a choice of Royal Doulton fine bone mug or cup, and Business Class passengers in the fine bone china mug. The quality of the water used to make the coffee is also considered and regularly monitored, and Emirates ensures that the water tanks, equipment used for transportation and supply lines provide perfectly potable water, through regular disinfection, maintenance, and audits.

In celebration of International Coffee Day, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library has announced a unique event on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, that combines art, creativity, and the special ambiance of coffee. The event will take place in the library’s atrium located in Al Jaddaf.

The event will feature a variety of activities, including interactive workshops and specialized art exhibitions. It will kick off at 4:00 PM with an exhibition on coffee-making tools, in collaboration with the Coffee Museum, highlighting the evolution of coffee preparation tools from the past to the present. Following this, there will be workshops, starting with the “How to Become a Barista” workshop, teaching the art of coffee preparation at 4:00 PM, and then the “Coffee Bean Art” workshop, led by artist George Sobhi, at 6:00 PM.

For art enthusiasts, the event will also include a workshop on “Liquid Coffee Painting” with artist Majida Nasr Al-Din at 5:00 PM, along with the opening of an art exhibition showcasing works entirely made from coffee, starting at 7:00 PM.

To add more enjoyment to the event, attendees will be treated to exceptional coffee sessions accompanied by live piano and flute performances, creating a warm and creative atmosphere. Visitors can also enjoy a special 10% discount on food and drinks at Tendin Café, in addition to receiving a free copy of a book on coffee as part of the “A World That Reads” initiative.

The event will continue until 9:00 PM and is expected to attract a large audience of coffee and art lovers alike.

The 2024 World Barista Champion, Mikael Jasin, has been announced as the new Global Ambassador for Victoria Arduino. This long-standing partnership between Victoria Arduino and Jasin, owner of So So Good Coffee Company, Catur Coffee Company, Berlian Biotech, and Omakafé, is far more than just a commercial collaboration.

The connection between Mikael Jasin and Victoria Arduino began in 2018 when the renowned espresso machine brand offered him a specialized course to deepen his knowledge of the VA388 Black Eagle, the official machine for the World Barista Championship (WBC), in preparation for his first global competition. He went on to place among the top 6 competitors worldwide.

Over the years, this partnership has only grown stronger. In 2021, Jasin became one of the key faces of the Black Eagle Maverick launch. This machine, the most powerful in Victoria Arduino’s range, was designed to introduce technological innovations that inspire passionate coffee professionals like Jasin, who constantly push boundaries and seek to evolve every day.

In 2023, Victoria Arduino supported Jasin with the opening of Omakafé, a unique coffee-tasting venue in Serpong Tangerang, Indonesia. The same year, Jasin was crowned the 2024 World Barista Champion in Busan, South Korea.

As the new Global Ambassador, Mikael Jasin will play a pivotal role in promoting Victoria Arduino’s espresso machines and grinders. More importantly, he will share his knowledge and expertise to further develop technologies that enhance the coffee experience and produce machines with unique designs.

The partnership also involves a packed schedule of events. Mikael Jasin will be present at the SCAJ show in Japan, and from November 6-9, he will feature at Victoria Arduino’s booth at the Korea Café Show. He will officially unveil the new products E1 Prima PRO, Eagle Tempo, and PureBrew+ in Vietnam on November 14 and in Malaysia from December 3-4.

Coffee-producing countries may face the risk of having their exports banned from the European market if Brussels does not delay its decision to prohibit products coming from regions affected by deforestation, according to one of the world’s largest coffee and tea companies.

JDE Peet’s, a global coffee and tea supplier, stated that some countries might be temporarily excluded from its supply chain due to uncertainty about their compliance with the new rules unless the European Union postpones its new deforestation law for at least a year.

Christopher Beth, the global coffee and tea supply lead at JDE Peet’s, emphasized the need for clarity from the EU, saying, “The sector has invested significantly based on its interpretation of the new regulations, but companies may struggle to comply with the deadline if their understanding proves incorrect.”

The EU’s deforestation law, which targets commodities such as cocoa, palm oil, rubber, and coffee, is set to take effect on December 30th, yet the European Commission has not published guidelines on how to comply with it, sparking criticism from national governments, including Germany, as well as industry bodies and the head of the World Trade Organization.

EU officials involved in preparations for the law have indicated that an online compliance system is expected to be unveiled soon. However, amid growing criticism, the officials said that Brussels might announce a delay in implementing the system, which will define different levels of scrutiny for products from various countries.

The law has been met with significant backlash from exporting countries, with Brazil calling it “unilateral and punitive.” Meanwhile, legislators from the European Parliament’s center-right political group, to which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen belongs, have voiced their opinions on the matter last week.

Herbert Dorfmann and Peter Liese, both members of the European Parliament from Germany, warned that “the bureaucratic monster threatens animal feed supplies and the trade of many consumer goods.” They added, “The Commission must take enough time to address the many flaws in the legislation.”

The European Cocoa Association recently called on the Commission to extend the transition period for six more months before the new rules come into effect, to “avoid enforcement failures.” The industry body, which represents European cocoa processors and chocolate manufacturers, argued that “the lack of clarity on critical elements makes it legally uncertain to prepare for the new rules.”

The coffee industry, in particular, has expressed concern that the mapping system used by the non-profit organization Enveritas may not comply with the new EU regulations. Enveritas uses high-resolution satellite imagery to identify coffee-growing areas affected by deforestation and works with governments and farmers to reforest the land, allowing entire countries or regions to be declared deforestation-free.

However, the new EU law requires the tracking of each coffee shipment back to specific “polygons” or land plots where it was grown. The coffee quantities in each shipment must match the reasonable production capacity of the identified polygons to avoid mixing deforestation-affected coffee with compliant beans. This excludes the broader approach of mapping entire countries or regions.

Beth explained that Enveritas’ approach has been successful in combating deforestation but warned that “compliance with the EU deforestation law is another matter.”

He also indicated that JDE Peet’s is preparing for all scenarios but cautioned that deeming Enveritas’ mapping system non-compliant with Brussels’ rules would prevent some producers from selling their products in EU markets as of December 30th.

Enveritas has adapted its model accordingly, splitting data to reflect cooperatives and communities instead of taking a national-level approach. However, environmental groups have warned that this might lead to loopholes in compliance.

Julia Christian, a lawyer with the non-profit organization Fern, which monitors the EU’s involvement in forests, warned that the system could fail if it is not determined “whether the coffee really came from the specified polygons.”

She added, “Companies have known about this legislation for several years,” noting that some chose the risk of not adequately preparing. She emphasized that it is unacceptable for companies to use this to pressure politicians into changing the law after it has already been passed, especially when other companies have invested to comply in a timely manner.

As the global community prepares to celebrate International Coffee Day on October 1, 2024, RAW Coffee, under the leadership of Mrs. Kim Thompson, joins the event in a way that goes beyond just enjoying a cup of coffee. This year, RAW Coffee seizes the opportunity to honor the farmers and producers who put in tremendous efforts to produce the rich and diverse flavors of coffee.

In a statement received by “Qahwa World,” RAW Coffee confirmed that International Coffee Day is not just a day to appreciate the beverage, but also a day to recognize the significant efforts made by coffee farmers. These individuals invest great passion in growing every coffee bean, with their efforts directly influencing the quality of coffee that reaches cups worldwide.

According to the statement, the success of RAW Coffee is closely linked to the commitment of these farmers to sustainable and high-quality production.

RAW Coffee stated, “We are grateful for the hands that carefully nurture each coffee bean, and we are excited to present this year’s new season crops.” This year promises exciting new flavors for RAW Coffee’s collection, including unique origins the company has never carried before, reflecting the spirit of discovery and innovation that defines their approach.

It is worth mentioning that the International Coffee Organization (ICO) has dedicated International Coffee Day 2024 to celebrating wide-scale collaboration across the coffee industry, from farmers and roasters to baristas and coffee enthusiasts. This year’s ICO theme, “Coffee: Your Daily Ritual, Our Shared Journey,” strongly resonates with RAW Coffee’s philosophy. The global coffee value chain operates through partnerships, and RAW Coffee’s participation in this shared journey reflects the spirit of unity in celebrating every link that contributes to delivering the perfect cup.

Mrs. Thompson and her team at RAW Coffee are not only excited about the new crops but are also inviting coffee lovers to join them in this celebration. Through social media updates, RAW Coffee will be sharing exclusive insights about their new products, ensuring that the community feels connected to the process and the people behind every sip.

As RAW Coffee celebrates International Coffee Day, their message of collaboration, sustainability, and fair trade perfectly aligns with the broader goals of the International Coffee Organization (ICO). International Coffee Day, launched by the ICO in 2015, serves as a reminder of the important role the coffee industry plays in communities worldwide, both economically and culturally. This year’s theme, “Collaboration,” emphasizes the need for collective action to ensure that coffee remains a sustainable and fair industry.

RAW Coffee’s celebration is a local representation of this global movement, demonstrating how individual businesses can contribute to a shared goal of promoting a more sustainable and fair coffee industry. As part of their celebration, RAW Coffee presents their customers with new crops, reinforcing the idea that every cup has a story—a journey from the farm to the consumer, made possible by the hands that nurtured every bean.

Join RAW Coffee in the Celebration

As International Coffee Day approaches, RAW Coffee encourages coffee enthusiasts to raise their cups in honor of the farmers, roasters, baristas, and coffee lovers who brighten every day. The message they conveyed in their statement is simple but powerful: “Cheers to coffee that connects us all!”

With the arrival of new crops, RAW Coffee is preparing to unveil unique flavors and origins, inviting the community to be part of this journey. From their physical store to their digital platforms, the celebration will continue with exciting updates and content, ensuring that coffee lovers stay informed and connected to the process.

International Coffee Day 2024 is expected to be a significant event for RAW Coffee and the global coffee industry, as they embrace together the themes of collaboration and sustainability, paving the way for a future where coffee continues to be a symbol of unity, tradition, and innovation.

For more information, follow RAW Coffee’s social media for updates and exclusive content, and be part of the celebration that honors coffee’s shared journey.