Coffee#1 /

On June 25^th the World Barista Championships came to London. An event that focuses primarily on promoting excellence in coffee was something far too important for Coffee #1 to miss!

This year the WBC also coincided with Caffe Culture 2010, allowing us not only to witness the impressive standards of the barista championships but also the chance to look around some of the most innovative and exciting products in the coffee world today.

Imagine crowds of people watching several different competitors frantically make perfect espressos and cappuccinos in a 15 minute time period. Imagine latte art so intricate you don’t really want to take a sip and spoil the pattern.  The WBC draws in over 50 nations to try to claim the title of World Barista Champion, and this year the title went to Michael Philips of the USA.

Whilst Liina was busy taking photos of the WBC, Ingrid and I looked around the many stalls promoting some of the best produce, wares and supplies in the coffee market. What strikes you first is the sheer amount of people who are passionate about coffee. This isn’t just a drink to them; it’s a way of life. It wasn’t just a business event we were walking around, it was a social gathering.

We passed rows of beautiful, ornate coffee machines that combined both functionality and looks. We were offered samples of tea, syrups and smoothies.

We nibbled at the many samples of brownies, cookies, and chocolate and just when we began to get thirsty we were offered cold drinks, hot drinks and iced drinks. We were handed so many leaflets, brochures, catalogues, we had to rent a locker for the day just so we could go back and collect more!

At first glance this place full of people calling you over to their stalls to sample various products seemed like utter madness, but it was amazing.

Perhaps the most exciting new equipment on the market is the Mazzer E, an electronic doserless grinder that is becoming all the rage in the cutting edge coffee culture. Just as well we have them in Coffee #1 then!

On demand grinders are highly sought due to the fact that they allow espresso shots to be produced as and when they are needed – the coffee beans literally get grinded the second you order your coffee.  This machine not only gives perfect espresso shots every time to guarantee the quality of coffee is at its best, it also speeds up the time in which the coffee is prepared, ensuring our customers get their great Coffee #1 lattes in record time.

So at the end of the day not only did we carry home bags of samples, several hundred photos (thanks Liina!), leaflets and merchandise, we brought back several new and exciting ideas that you might soon see in our stores! Watch this space!