Dubai – Qahwa World
Year after year, Mokha 1450 continues to reinforce its distinctive annual tradition of celebrating innovation and achievement, while honoring the creators behind them—its exceptional team. As a leading name in the luxury specialty coffee sector in Dubai and the UAE, the brand remains committed to showcasing excellence at every level.
This annual celebration traditionally takes place on the sidelines of the World of Coffee Dubai exhibition, bringing together an elite group of industry leaders, including farmers, producers, traders, coffee professionals, and coffee enthusiasts from around the world. Beyond recognizing the team’s efforts, the event also marks the launch of a rare and prestigious specialty coffee edition each year.
This year, Mokha 1450 unveiled its latest limited release: the rare Cuban coffee “Extra Turquino Lavado,” considered one of the finest and rarest coffees in Cuba. The coffee originates from the Nipe–Sagua–Baracoa region, a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot and a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as the “Archaeological Landscape of the First Coffee Plantations in the Southeast of Cuba.”
- Unprecedented Attendance
This year’s celebration stood out for its unprecedented attendance, both in scale and caliber. The event welcomed senior officials, entrepreneurs, and leading figures from the global coffee industry, alongside coffee lovers and members of the Dubai and UAE community.
In his keynote address, Mr. Garfield Kerr, CEO of Mokha 1450, welcomed guests and described the event as exceptional, marking a significant transitional phase in the brand’s journey.
Kerr began by congratulating Mr. Andrew Tully on his appointment as President of the Specialty Coffee Association and welcomed a former SCA president, thanking both for their presence and support.
He stated: “The World of Coffee exhibition has been truly outstanding. If you’ve enjoyed this exceptional organization, the credit goes to Mr. Khaled Al Mulla, Chairman of the Specialty Coffee Association UAE. Much of the hard work happens behind the scenes, and that effort is the key to this event’s success.”
He added a special note of thanks to Mr. Andres, saying: “While everything looks perfect upon arrival, there are major challenges behind the scenes. Thanks to Khaled and Andres, everything comes together seamlessly in the end.”
Kerr emphasized that Mokha 1450’s message this year was also directed at newcomers to the coffee industry:
“The greatest minds in coffee are gathered here. If you’re looking to validate investing in this sector, this is the place to be. We meet every year to showcase innovation and shape the future of coffee.”
- Arabic Coffee and the Palace Recipe
Garfield Kerr revealed that this year’s innovation at Mokha 1450 was crafted by Ms. Sigrid Ballard, featuring a creative reinterpretation of Arabic coffee.
“Many of our guests have never tasted Arabic coffee before, so we created a coffee cocktail inspired by it—perhaps for the first time, to my knowledge. I firmly believe that understanding any new innovation begins with tasting the original.”
He explained that Mokha 1450 had previously avoided serving Arabic coffee due to its deeply personal and cultural nature. That changed after a unique experience with a coffee-loving minister, during which a special Arabic coffee recipe was prepared inside a palace in Abu Dhabi.
“After returning to Dubai, we received a call requesting that exclusive palace recipe. This is the coffee we are serving you today, alongside Sigrid’s newly developed blend for comparison.”
Kerr noted that while “Crystal Coffee” remains one of Mokha 1450’s most iconic innovations, the Arabic coffee project holds a special place within the brand.
- A Human Gesture and Special Tribute
In a heartfelt and dignified gesture, Kerr paid tribute to Julian, one of Mokha 1450’s earliest team members, who is no longer with the company but played a foundational role in its success.
“Julian was our first manager, and everything Mokha 1450 has achieved today is thanks to him. He challenged traditional coffee rules and relied on experimentation rather than theory alone.”
Kerr added that Julian possesses one of the finest palates in the industry, having won the UAE Coffee Tasting Championship and reached the semifinals of the World Championship. He now resides in London, where he works as a senior coffee roaster.
- The Rare Cuban Coffee
Kerr concluded his speech by presenting this year’s rare coffee release, praising the efforts of Joey, a member of the Mokha 1450 team.
“We always strive to offer exceptionally rare coffees, and Cuban coffee is a perfect example. To my knowledge, we are the only specialty coffee café in Dubai serving Cuban coffee.”
He revealed that sourcing this edition required three years of continuous effort, beginning with initial contact with the Cuban Embassy during Expo, and expressed his hope that guests would truly enjoy this extraordinary coffee.
