Heading for the Corn Exchange on the 14th October, the Edinburgh Coffee Festival will offer 3000 java lovers the chance to try a huge array of products from the UK's best coffee and tea producers.
Picture: Edinburgh Coffee Festival
Rated as one of the top three cities in the UK outside of London for specialty coffee , Edinburgh’s coffee scene continues to out-pace the majority of other cities around the country, as more and more high quality shops open up to satisfy the demand from customers with ever-more discerning coffee and tea palates.
Event organiser Martin Dare, who is excited to once again help the capital celebrate its diverse coffee scene, said: “Customers are getting choosier about their coffee. While we’re still loyal to our local coffee shop, we’re venturing further to try new shops, different brewing methods and meeting up with like-minded coffee lovers.
Picture: Edinburgh Coffee Festival
"In our third year now, the Edinburgh Coffee Festival brings everyone together under one roof to talk to roasters and baristas, and taste loads of different coffees."
Pru Whitwell, blogger for Scotland Coffee Lovers added: “While big companies like McDonalds and Greggs have run ads that take a swipe at ‘hipster coffee shops', not only are people turning toward better coffee, from independent coffee shops, increasingly customers are also choosing to eat better food. It's a complete package."
Picture: Edinburgh Coffee Festival
The event will feature demonstrations and talks on tasting, technical coffee and tea skills, as well as social responsibility, and to how to set up a coffee shop.
As well as giving festival-goers the chance to enjoy a multitude of stalls offering fare from local roasters, coffee shops, cake and doughnut makers, street food and the chance to chat to sellers of coffee and tea brewing equipment, there will also be half-day ‘Introduction to coffee’ course for half price - which the organisers say you should book early to avoid disappointment - where home brewers and people starting their coffee career will learn about the science of roasting, sensory (viewing, smelling, tasting) and barista skills.
Edinburgh-based Vegware will furnish all exhibitors with fully compostable cups and dispose of waste sustainably while reusable products specialists Frank Green will be offering their stylish SmartCups at a discounted price with each ticket purchase - so attendees can continue to look after the planet with every coffee and ensure the Festival is a zero waste event.
Dare added: “This year we are continuing to support Mercy Corps; the Edinburgh-based organisation that tackles the world’s toughest challenges. Mercy Corps works with coffee farmers to help them build more sustainable livelihoods. In Colombia, a new initiative strengthens the autonomy and economic empowerment of 1,800 rural female coffee farmers in Southern Cauca, and we are delighted that Mercy Corps will be joining us to talk more about the project.”
“If you are a coffee or tea fan, put 14th October in your diary now, buy your ticket online and start looking forward to the best coffee break of the year!”
