coffee equipment Archives

Nuova Simonelli Technicians Competition Returns for 2026

Posted on May 14, 2026May 14, 2026 by Qahwa World

Author: Qahwa World – Dubai
Source: Industry announcement
Date: May 14, 2026

Executive Summary

The Nuova Simonelli Technicians Competition is back after its first edition in France
The 2026 edition expands to new international stages in Paris, London, and the Middle East
The competition begins with an online technical quiz that selects 8 finalists
Finalists then face hands-on practical challenges on espresso machines
Judges evaluate speed, precision, machine knowledge, and safety practices
The event celebrates technicians who work behind the scenes in the coffee industry

The Nuova Simonelli Technicians Competition is returning in 2026. After its first edition in France, the event is now expanding to new international markets including Paris, London, and the Middle East.

The competition focuses on espresso machine technicians. These professionals typically work behind the scenes. Yet they play a vital role in coffee quality, equipment reliability, and cafe performance.

Origins of the competition

The competition first launched in France. Organizers created it to showcase the skills, experience, and professionalism of coffee machine technicians. These workers often remain unseen by customers. Nevertheless, they maintain the equipment that baristas rely on every day.

Nuova Simonelli, the Italian espresso machine manufacturer, organizes the event. The company aims to highlight the strategic importance of technicians in delivering quality service and reliable products.

What sets this competition apart

The Nuova Simonelli Technicians Competition stands out for its hands-on, practical approach. It tests real-world skills that technicians use daily.

The competition begins with an online technical quiz. From this stage, organizers select eight technicians who qualify for the final round.

In the final stage, participants face practical challenges on espresso machines. These include simulated malfunctions, adjustments, and real technical interventions. The tasks mirror everyday work scenarios in coffee shops and service centers.

Speed, precision, machine knowledge, and operational efficiency all go under evaluation. Technical judges assess performance based on workplace safety, organization, technical expertise, and the ability to maintain excellent coffee quality.

Expansion to new markets in 2026

In the coming weeks, the competition will launch new international stages. The confirmed locations include Paris, London, and the Middle East.

This expansion confirms the global nature of the initiative. Nuova Simonelli aims to create real opportunities for exchange, professional growth, and knowledge sharing across key international markets.

Industry context: Coffee machine technicians play a critical role across the entire supply chain. Their work ensures operational continuity, consistent quality, and customer satisfaction in cafes worldwide.

Celebrating the technicians

Through this initiative, Nuova Simonelli celebrates the crucial role technicians play. They provide baristas with reliable, high-performing, and long-lasting equipment. Their work supports operational continuity, consistent quality, and end-customer satisfaction.

The event is more than just a competition. Organizers describe it as a platform for training, networking, and showcasing technical expertise.

How to participate

Technicians ready to join the next editions of the competition can apply through dedicated registration pages. Separate application links are available for the Dubai and United Kingdom editions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nuova Simonelli Technicians Competition?
It is an international competition for espresso machine technicians. Participants demonstrate their skills in diagnosing and repairing coffee equipment under timed conditions.

Where will the competition take place in 2026?
The competition will take place in Paris, London, and the Middle East. Specific venues and dates are available through the official registration pages.

How does the competition work?
Participants first complete an online technical quiz. The top eight scorers advance to a final round of hands-on practical challenges on espresso machines.

What skills are tested?
Judges evaluate speed, precision, machine knowledge, operational efficiency, workplace safety, organization, and the ability to maintain coffee quality.

Who can participate?
The competition is open to espresso machine technicians. Interested candidates should apply through the official registration pages for their region.

Why is this competition important?
Technicians play a crucial but often invisible role in the coffee industry. They ensure equipment remains reliable and performs well, which directly affects coffee quality and customer satisfaction.

Author: Qahwa World – Dubai
Source: Industry announcement
Date: May 14, 2026

World of Coffee Dubai 2026 Kicks Off at DWTC

Posted on January 18, 2026January 18, 2026 by Qahwa World

Qahwa World

The fifth edition of World of Coffee Dubai officially opened today at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), marking a major milestone for the Middle East’s specialty coffee industry. Organised by DXB LIVE, the integrated event management and experiential agency of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), in collaboration with the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the event opened with more than 2,100 exhibiting companies and brands from 78 countries, delivering its largest and most internationally diverse edition to date.

A key milestone on day one was the signing of a five-year extension agreement between World of Coffee Dubai and the Specialty Coffee Association, extending the partnership until 2031. The agreement formalises a long-term collaboration to support specialty coffee competitions, education programmes, and professional standards at the event. The MoU was signed by Khalid Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of DXB LIVE, and Yannis Apostolopoulos, Chief Executive Officer of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), reinforcing World of Coffee Dubai’s position as a stable, internationally aligned platform within the global specialty coffee calendar.

Following the opening programme, activity spread across the exhibition floor, which spans more than 20,000 square metres across Za’abeel Halls 1, 4, 5, and 6. Exhibitors from producing origins and consuming markets showcased green coffee, roasting and brewing technologies, equipment, packaging solutions, and café innovations, representing every stage of the specialty coffee value chain.

Key features activated on day one included the Roasters Village and Producers’ Village, where roasters and origin producers engaged directly with buyers, importers, and industry professionals. The Brew Bar and Cupping Rooms hosted tastings and sensory sessions throughout the day, while the SCA Community Lounge served as a central hub for networking and knowledge exchange. Live activity at the competition stages also drew strong interest from visitors.

The opening day also highlighted the depth of innovation and collaboration across the exhibition. A World of Coffee exclusive collaboration between Oatly and Yaba, a modern Iraqi restaurant based in Al Wasl, introduced a new approach to coffee beverage creation by applying culinary steeping techniques to extract flavour, alongside distinctive elements such as nut crème and saffron-infused bubbles.

Equipment innovation featured prominently, with Coffee Desk, the exclusive Middle East distributor for leading brands including Fellow, unveiling the first global showcase of Fellow’s upgraded Espresso Series 1, ahead of its commercial release later this year. The launch reflected growing demand for high-performance, accessible equipment within the specialty coffee sector.

Commercial activity commenced on day one with the Dubai Coffee Equipment Auction organized by DXB LIVE in collaboration with DMCC, a dedicated one-day auction showcasing specialised and customised coffee equipment from exhibitors at World of Coffee Dubai. Curated in collaboration with M-Cultivo, the auction featured pre-qualified equipment presented through live demonstrations and inspections on the show floor, followed by a live, lot-by-lot auction led by an auctioneer. Designed to connect equipment manufacturers with serious buyers, the auction provided a focused platform for innovation, craftsmanship, and price discovery within the regional specialty coffee market.

Reflecting on the opening day, Khalid Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President at DXB LIVE, said: “World of Coffee Dubai continues to grow in scale, diversity, and international relevance. The strong participation seen on the first day, together with the signing of a five-year partnership agreement with the Specialty Coffee Association, reflects the event’s maturity and its importance as a global platform for trade, education, and professional exchange.”

In a further milestone for the wider coffee events portfolio, Khalid Al Hammadi also signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding related to the Bahrain Coffee Festival. The agreement covers the organisation of the festival as a curated B2C and B2B experience featuring workshops, live brews, competitions, and immersive activations. The Bahrain Coffee Festival aims to engage the wider community by inviting coffee lovers, families, and the public to explore the diversity of coffee, while spotlighting both local and international brands.

During day one, DXB LIVE also announced plans to expand its coffee-focused event portfolio through the launch of dedicated coffee festivals in Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. Developed as a separate DXB LIVE IP, the regional festivals will build on the growing momentum of specialty coffee across the GCC while complementing World of Coffee Dubai’s role as the flagship international trade platform.

Exhibitors highlighted the value of the event’s international reach and professional audience. Denkayehu Dessalegn Head Roaster and Quality Control at Roasters, said: “World of Coffee Dubai provides an important platform for regional specialty coffee brands looking to scale internationally. This is our first participation at the event, and it allows us to introduce what we have been developing over the past four years to a global industry audience.”

World of Coffee Dubai 2026 continues through 20 January, with upcoming days featuring the Microlot Coffee Auction, the Exhibitors’ Coffee Auction, championship finals, workshops, and further industry announcements.

For visitor registration, media accreditation, and the full programme, please visit:
www.worldofcoffeedubai.com

About World of Coffee Dubai

World of Coffee Dubai (WOC Dubai) is the premier coffee trade show for exhibitors and visitors looking to break into the Middle East’s burgeoning coffee industry. The event showcases popular features like the Roaster Village, engaging lectures, the Cupping Room, the SCA UAE National Championships, the Coffee Design Awards, the Best New Display Product Competition, Brew Bar, and the SCA Community Lounge, where buyers and sellers come together to reconnect and establish new business relationships. The exhibition welcomes local, regional, and global professionals in the coffee industry including producers, manufacturers, traders, farmers, international experts, distributors, small and medium companies, coffee shops, roasters, hotels, and coffee enthusiasts from around the world.

About SCA

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the world’s largest nonprofit, membership-based trade association in the coffee industry. Representing thousands of coffee professionals globally from producers to baristas, the organization is built on foundations of openness, inclusivity, and the power of shared knowledge, fostering an international coffee community to make specialty coffee a thriving, equitable, and sustainable activity for the entire value chain. From coffee farmers to baristas and roasters, our membership spans the globe, encompassing every element of the coffee value chain. The SCA acts as a unifying force within the specialty coffee industry and works to make coffee better by raising standards worldwide through a collaborative and progressive approach.

About DXB LIVE:

DXB LIVE is the integrated event management and experiential agency of Dubai World Trade Centre. With its creative, technical, and operational expertise, DXB LIVE delivers world-class events of all types, including exhibitions, conferences, festivals, recreational activities, national occasions, major corporate events, as well as high-end and private weddings.zThe agency provides services for more than 100 major events annually, designing and building over 500,000 square feet of exhibition stands and delivering complex live events and conference solutions. DXB LIVE also offers strategic consultancy to associations and international organizations, while organizing large-scale trade exhibitions and public events.

Rapidly expanding its footprint, DXB LIVE is strengthening its position among the world’s leading event companies through strong alliances with top international event organizations. Its combined services create exceptional experiences that connect brands with their audiences across the UAE, GCC, Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

What’s New in the Dubai Coffee Auction 2026

Posted on November 13, 2025December 6, 2025 by Qahwa World

Dubai – Qahwa World

The Dubai Coffee Auction returns this year as part of World of Coffee Dubai 2026, promising a bigger and more exciting experience than ever. The three-day event, taking place from 18 to 20 January 2026, offers roasters, café owners, and coffee enthusiasts the opportunity to explore and purchase some of the world’s finest coffees and innovative equipment.

Auction Event Schedule:

18 January – Coffee Equipment Showcase: Exhibitors will present a curated auction of specialized, high-end, and custom coffee equipment, providing attendees with an exclusive chance to explore the tools shaping modern coffee craftsmanship.

19 January – Premium Coffee Auction: Participants can bid on rare and specialty coffee lots, both in person and online through cupping bidding sessions, offering a more interactive experience for buyers worldwide.

20 January – Green Coffee Auction: A curated selection of pre-screened, top-tier green coffees will be showcased to buyers through in-person cupping sessions, emphasizing quality and exclusivity.

Organisers confirmed that this year’s auction introduces new experiences designed to connect buyers with rare microlots, specialty coffee, and advanced equipment, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for coffee lovers and the coffee industry.

The auction first launched last year during World of Coffee Dubai 2025, marking the region’s first-ever rare coffee auction, featuring around 20 collections of specialty and rare coffee beans.

The auction is the result of a strategic partnership between World of Coffee and the Coffee Centre of DMCC, aiming to strengthen Dubai’s role as a global coffee hub. Attendees can participate in person, while remote participants can join through a sophisticated digital platform.

In its inaugural edition, the Dubai Coffee Auction achieved record prices, with 16 collections of some of the rarest and finest beans offered by 11 producers from nine countries, including 11 collections of Geisha coffee, covering six different varieties, making the auction a global showcase of the world’s top coffee producers.

The highest-priced coffee in the auction was natural Geisha from the “Finca Sofia” farm in Panama, sold at $10,020 per kilogram, while another variety from the same farm reached $8,614 per kilogram, and a selection from “Finca La Mula” sold for $2,620 per kilogram. Meanwhile, Oma Natural coffee from Ethiopia reached $1,100 per kilogram, setting a new record for Ethiopian coffee.

The “Kona SL 34” variety from Hawaii also achieved a new U.S. coffee record at $950 per kilogram, an eightfold increase over the previous highest price paid for Kona coffee.

Geisha coffee is considered one of the rarest and most expensive coffees globally, known for its unique floral and citrus notes such as jasmine, and a smooth texture. Its origins trace back to Ethiopia, specifically the village of Geisha, and it was transplanted to Panama in the 1960s, where it thrives in high-altitude farms.

Additionally, “La Yama” from producer “Los Rodriguez” became the most expensive Bolivian coffee ever sold, fetching $350 per kilogram.

Specialty coffee, in general, is classified as coffee scoring 80 points or higher on a 100-point scale used in the Specialty Coffee Association’s cupping form. All lots presented in the auction scored 92 points or higher, reflecting their high quality.

Auction prices are driven by three main factors: superior quality, which typically scores above 90 points in cupping tests; rarity, as limited production increases demand; and the producer’s reputation and story, which add value and attract buyers seeking consistency and excellence.

Barista Terminology | Episode 13: Espresso Machine Components Explained

Posted on August 16, 2025December 6, 2025 by Qahwa World

Understanding an espresso machine’s anatomy is essential for any barista. Whether you’re pulling shots, steaming milk, or troubleshooting a problem, knowing how each part functions ensures better coffee and safer operation.

Group Head

The component where the portafilter locks in and water is dispersed over the coffee puck.
It includes a screen and gasket and is usually made of brass or stainless steel to retain heat.
Consistent temperature here ensures consistent extraction.

Portafilter

A handle with a filter basket that holds ground coffee.
Comes in spouted, bottomless (naked), and pressurized variants.
Must be evenly filled and tamped for optimal extraction.

Filter Basket

The metal insert inside the portafilter that holds the coffee grounds.
Sizes vary (single, double, triple), and hole precision affects flow rate.
Needs to be cleaned regularly to avoid flavor contamination.

Boiler

The machine’s internal tank that heats and stores water for brewing or steaming.
Single boiler, dual boiler, and heat exchanger types exist.
Pressure and temperature stability here are key for quality shots and milk texturing.

Pump

Responsible for delivering water to the group head at high pressure (~9 bars).
Most machines use rotary or vibratory pumps.
A stable pump ensures consistent flow and extraction.

Steam Wand

The nozzle used to froth or steam milk.
Has one or multiple holes (tips) that control steam pressure and direction.
Must be cleaned immediately after each use to prevent milk buildup.

Pressure Gauge

Displays boiler and/or pump pressure.
Useful for diagnosing performance issues.
Helps baristas track consistency during extraction.

Drip Tray

Collects waste water and spilled coffee.
Should be emptied and rinsed regularly to maintain hygiene.
May include a drain pipe in plumbed-in machines.

Hot Water Tap

Provides hot water for Americanos or tea.
Connected to the boiler system.
Useful but can introduce temperature instability if overused.

Control Panel / Buttons

Manual machines use switches or levers.
Semi-automatics and automatics use programmable buttons for shot volume and other functions.
Some modern machines include touchscreens and PID temperature controls.