Hot Competition for Indian Bartenders
When compared with the glamour of the bar trade, some may think that the barista profession has the odds stacked against it. However, this is increasingly not the case, according to one of India’s award-winning coffee brewmasters.
Felix Daniel, who has put himself forward in the World Barista Championship to showcase India’s industry expertise, claims that brewing the perfect cup of coffee has become an intricate art and that Indians have only just started to realise coffee’s truly awakening potential.
Having recently also been in Goa for Cafe Coffee Day’s (CCD) 16-22 November festival, Daniel revealed that the so-called coffee culture, as it has become known elsewhere in the world, is now starting to establish roots in the capital, with CCD’s event helping to raise awareness around coffee.
Speaking of taste preferences among Indian consumers, Daniel explained that these have traditionally been for strong coffee, with its strength heightened by the addition of chicory powder and hot beverage interests varying by region. Talking of a north-south divide, Daniel also spoke of tea being the most favoured option in the north of the country, whereas coffee is gaining more ground and more of a following in the south.
In line with trends across the globe, coffee consumption is becoming an increasing part in Indians’ everyday lives, with the growing interest in learning the art of creating the perfect cup, testimony to the more and more important role the caffeine-rich commodity has to play in the country.
Daily Coffee Takes Priority
According to the comparison site Confused.com, nearly a third of British people say that they have not set up life insurance policies for reasons of cost. However a considerably greater percentage of people are spending the daily cost of such cover on more luxury, non-essential items.
The site, which compares various insurance prices to seek out the best deals for individuals, said that a life insurance policy could equate to as small an amount as £0.17 per day. Based on its own research, the online business’s view is that although a substantial number of people claim that they have insufficient funds to pay for such insurance, half the proportion of individuals – 16 per cent – revealed that they spend more than this on their daily lunch. Another seven per cent of the consumer poll reported that they bought themselves a “posh” cup of coffee or tea on a daily basis.
Although worrying in terms of life insurance, this goes to show what part coffee and other such little luxuries play in individuals’ daily lifestyles – and increasingly continue to do so.
In other coffee related UK news, the search for the UK Barista Champion 2011 is already in full swing. With regional competitions taking place during January and February, the overall championship, scheduled for March, is designed to identify the country’s top barista. Not only will judges be testing the knowledge of entrants to the contest, but attention to detail and creativity will also be amongst the key selection criteria.
‘Tip Me Up and Pour Me Out’ – Elegantly
Designed exclusively for La Cafetière, a company bringing stylish solutions to domestic coffee preparation and consumption, Alison Appleton’s new Lexi cafetière is expected to become a 2011 best seller.
The tall, bone china design was launched at the Autumn Fair event this year, where it was greeted by a warm response.
With clean lines and a simple yet elegant appeal, the new cafetière is designed to bring a sophisticated alternative to other such in-home, manually-operated coffee appliances.
The Lexi, which carries a retail price tag of £40, is said to provide almost a litre of freshly-brewed coffee and also boasts a leak-proof lid. Moreover, its polished stainless steel touches add to its elegant feel, with the creation of the latest addition to La Cafetière’s ever-increasing selection of cafetières, chocolatières, teapots, infusers, coffee machines, tableware and other such accessories.
Meanwhile in the UK’s coffee mug market, news of the royal engagement announcement between Prince William and Kate Middleton had barely had a chance to sink in, before memorabilia items such as t-shirts and mugs were being sold via eBay, both around the £8 mark.
And so the floodgates have opened, with a glut of further souvenir items expected to start hitting stores in a sales frenzy not witnessed since the marriage of Prince Charles and Diana in 1981. Amongst those tapping into the opportunity, Aynsley China revealed that it immediately started work on a line of fine bone china moments after the news aired, with its pieces scheduled to be available from early 2011.
Nepalese Coffee Production to Double by 2013
Growing Arabica coffee in its highland regions, Nepal has seen its output rise considerably over the last five year period and has high hopes of fulfilling its three-year strategic plan to double its production of the commodity, according to the National Tea and Coffee Development Board (NTCDB).
Having already shown significant growth in recent years, the Nepali coffee industry is said to have demonstrated a fourfold increase in its production and seen the amount of farmers active in the coffee plantation process more than double since 2005.
…continue reading Nepalese Coffee Production to Double by 2013
Champion Barista Imparts Her Coffee Know-how
Sherri Johns, a top barista, professional coffee taster and formerly a member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America, has shared her thoughts on the coffee industry and on creating the perfect cup.
Alongside her husband, Johns, also the author of the book Coffee Café, Sherri owns a consultancy firm and has been active in the establishment of numerous coffee houses across the globe, from New York and Hong Kong to areas such as Sao Paulo and Kuala Lumpur.
A well-reputed figure in the coffee industry, Johns was recently leading judge for the Ultimate Barista Challenge in Shanghai, China, which took place at the country’s key hospitality business event, Food & Hospitality China.
According to Johns, the key things the judges were looking for in the challenge were 50 per cent taste and the other half technique and performance. On a taste level, the main aim is to achieve a harmonious balance between flavours and aftertaste. In terms of technique, espressos must be brewed at exactly the right temperature and pressure and with the right amount of coffee (7-9g per shot). As always, the quality of the beans used is also of equal importance.
Johns also talked about how the coffee brewing industry is becoming increasingly competitive and how customers therefore need to be won over on their first cup to ensure repeat visits. As opposed to using blends, single origin beans are apparently becoming more and more popular among Chinese baristas. Other styles of brewing that are gaining ground in China are the French Press and Chemex techniques, as is experimenting with alcohol and cocktails.
Power of the Mind Weight Loss with Coffee and Other Aromas
Already available in the US, Dr Alan Hirsch’s Sensa scented weight loss granules are scheduled for launch in the UK in 2011 and are also lined up for release in Canada, Mexico and Germany.
Assisting weight loss by persuading the brain that the body does not require food through the power of scent, the pioneering product, designed to be scattered on food, is available in various artificial flavours, including cheese, horse radish and coffee.
Six month trials on over 1,400 individuals already trying to control their weight resulted in an average loss of two stones in weight by obese patients, with a five year study involving another 1,000 subjects to follow.
The brains behind the development, Dr Alan Hirsch explained that the scent of food accounts for as much as 90 per cent of its perceived ‘taste’ and can therefore be used to trigger a message of satiety or ‘fullness’ in the brain and stop tendencies to eat more than required.
Although viewed as a powerful invention by some, others adopt a more cautionary tone. Dominic Dwyer, a neuropsychologist from Cardiff University, said that the concept made “perfect sense” but warned that a welcoming smell from food can also work the other way and encourage us to eat more, with his advice being to use the product with caution.
Coffee has long been hailed a weight loss aid in terms of its effect on the metabolism, but its usage for this purpose based entirely on its aroma is more novel.
From Vienna to Canada with Love
As a result of a new partnership with the tourist board of Vienna, North American-based Timothy’s World Coffee will bring Austria’s world-renowned coffee traditions to the Canadian market.
In preparation for the upcoming festive season, the coffee chain will unveil a range of Viennese hot beverages and confectionery items for Canadians to enjoy.
As part of the recent agreement, keen coffee consumers will also have the opportunity to win one of two breaks to the European capital for coffee, Vienna, by entering an online competition running until the end of the year on the Timothy’s World Coffee website.
Speaking of the company’s partnership with the Vienna Tourist Board, Timothy’s Senior Brand Manager, Luana Guglielmi, explained that the main motivation was to enable Canadians to experience the same coffee-drinking ritual that has grown to become such a fundamental aspect of Viennese culture. Commenting on Timothy’s itself, Guglielmi clarified the business’s point of differentiation over other coffee establishments – to be a place where people can “appreciate the endless aromas and flavours of a quality world-inspired coffee with friends.”
To initiate the company’s online promotion, Franz Grünwald, an Austrian barista and world-champion, will be demonstrating to a public audience in Toronto on 9 November and talking around the history and art involved in brewing the perfect coffee. Visitors to the outlet on the day will be able to sample from the following: Café Vienna – a traditional combination of dark and espresso coffee; Double Chocolate Schokolade – an indulgent Viennese hot chocolate infused with fudge; and Viennese Cookie – a hazelnut shortbread filled with raspberry jam.
Coffee and Art Meet Shanghai Youngsters
Opened just a few months ago by four young film enthusiasts in their 20s, Caf Chabrol in Shanghai, China, is said to already be a popular meeting point for hip and trendy youngsters.
Positioned at just a minute’s walk from one of the city’s most bustling shopping centres, Westgate Mall, the venue is said to be “a serene and quiet place in a bustling business district,” according to Qian Xiaokun, one of the cafés owners who also works in the television industry.
Although the location Jing’an Villa is just a stone’s through from the activity, the area has apparently not yet taken off, hence the four young entrepreneurs being able to manage the current rental price.
With its unique selling point over other café outlets being the ‘new wave’ movies shown on the premises, the venue reflects its founders’ style and spirit. As well as being guided by their own preferences, clients also steer the choices of film, as does the latest industry talk, with all films aired with Blu-ray equipment to deliver the best experience possible for the venue’s visitors.
Aside from the films, which are shown for free, Caf Chabrol also attracts its clientele with its coffee, specially roasted by the outlet’s barista, who was ranked third for the East China region at a World Barista Championship. In addition, themed evenings run every Tuesday and Thursday and are accompanied by simple dishes, such as chicken curry and stir-fry beef, for those who might have rushed from work.
Something’s brewing for coffee machine supplier
Coffee machine supplier Caffe Society has announced that it has created an independent trade supply division, The Brew Group to deal with all of its trade business. Apparently they have been consistently growing their trade business over the last 3 years and have made this change to allow further expansion and to ‘eliminate the issue of buying from a perceived competitor’.
The Brew Group will be responsible for sales of Brasilia, Solis, HLF and Bunn coffee equipment to trade suppliers and distributors which were all previously all supplied by Caffe Society.
Clive Danby, Trade Sales Manager for The Brew Group commented “Our trade customers will now have complete access to a comprehensive and competitive range of equipment, especially designed for their needs.”
This is shown through their new website, thebrewgroup.co.uk, which lists all the aforementioned products and provides access to brochures, prices, specification sheets and images.
In other coffee trade news, new kids on the block, Direct Trade seem to be gaining ground in the ethically sourced coffee market.
Direct trade is a term used by a growing number of coffee roasters who buy their green coffee direct from the growers. They have become disillusioned with the Fair Trade model, arguing that the recent increased coffee prices are not being passed to farmers and think they can do better themselves.
Mark Barany, a roaster and café owner in Seattle, said “The whole reason Fair Trade started in the first place — farmers getting paid a fair price for their product — fell by the wayside”. Mark believes Fair Trade should raise its minimum prices above the todays, high average prices.
It will be interesting to see whether this trend that spreads to other roasters through the world.
From Coffee to Chocolate
In a joining of the perfect companions, coffee and chocolate, the former managing director of one of Caffè Nero has transferred his managerial interests to the British chocolatier, Thorntons.
Taking up the role from January 2011, Jonathan Hart is said to have been behind the coffee business’s doubling in size over the past five years to a point where there are now 400 stores nationwide.
Hart is also given credit for significantly improving profitability of the caffeine-oriented enterprise, driving annual turnover to a reported £153.6 million in the twelve month fiscal period to May 2010.
With both experience within retail as well as the consumer goods industry, Hart’s employment to date, spanning numerous senior positions, stretches back over 25 years.
Commenting on the impending addition to his company, Thorntons chairman, John van Spreckelsen, said, “Jonathan brings a wealth of relevant experience,” elaborating on this by referring to Hart’s successful background in running numerous multi-channel businesses and in developing retail strategies and new products.
In its latest financial reports, the chocolate giant communicated a 7.4 per cent increase in its third quarter sales, boosted by supermarket sales, as in-store purchases witnessed a 4 per cent decline.
In other chocolate-inspired news, Cherizena Coffee has unveiled a range of coffee gifts for Christmas. Positioned at between £2.50 and £20, the line has something for every budget. In terms of coffee types, these include a limited edition Christmas Coffee (Colombian), a full-bodied Cuban Cubita, a medium Blue Mountain Blend, as well as the company’s Turquino Montanes and Espresso Blend, all accompanied with a pillow pack of chocolate-coated coffee beans.