Celebrating the capital’s vibrant coffee scene, the London Coffee Festival is under way.
More than 20,000 visitors are expected over the four days of the event which is aimed at discerning coffee lovers and those working in the industry.
The festival features more than 250 artisan coffee and gourmet food stalls, tastings and demonstrations from world-class baristas, interactive workshops, street food, coffee-based cocktails, live music, DJs and art exhibitions.
Here are some of the festival highlights if you’re at a loose end over the weekend and gasping for a quality cuppa.
See the exciting action of Coffee Masters
The new Coffee Masters competition celebrates the role of the barista.
Twenty international baristas will battle against each other in a series of knockout rounds designed to test their coffee-making skills to the limit, including cupping, brewing and latte art.
Experience how coffee reacts under pressure
Unleash your inner coffee geek and discover the true science of espresso at L’Accademia di Cimbali.
La Cimbali will present an interactive coffee experience that explores how coffee reacts under pressure to affect the often forgotten sweetness of coffee.
Coffee machines will be programmed to deliver several pressure profiles so that visitors can compare how this changes coffee sweetness.
Visitors will be provided with a coffee tasting score sheet to record their notes as they experience the effect pressure has on the taste of coffee.
Party on down at La Marzocco’s True Artisan Café
Bringing artisan cafes and roasters together, The True Artisan Café is La Marzocco’s pop-up coffee shop party at The London Coffee Festival.
Some of the best baristas from Europe’s leading coffee shops and roasters will be taking over the three espresso bars of this pop-up café where you can explore the rich, vibrant and diverse coffee scene while listening to live DJs spinning house music.
Relax and sip a cocktail in the VIP hospitality suite
The exclusive lounge area at The House of Coffee & Co offers the festival’s VIP guests a calm environment in which to relax.
VIPs will be welcomed into the Scandinavian-inspired lounge with a complimentary cocktail and a premium tote bag, filled with everything for the coffee enthusiast – including the latest London Coffee Guide.
Get hands-on with the festival’s Lab programme
Be inspired by world-class baristas, learn how to make your own cold brew and find out how to match your favourite coffee to its ideal chocolate partner.
The festival’s Lab programme is perfect for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of coffee and its culture. Take part in a variety of brewing and tasting workshops, talks and seminars to discover more about coffee’s journey from crop to cup.
Create your own espresso blend
New brand Assembly, in partnership with Volcano Coffee Works, is a collaboration of coffee experts from across London eager to shake up the coffee scene and do things a bit differently.
Through this collaboration Assembly members, including Embassy East, Noble Espresso and Esters, are working together to create a new collective espresso blend that not only considers the needs of the industry, but also what the all-important customer wants from their coffee.
Assembly are inviting you to replicate the collaboration’s own experience and create your own espresso blend by wet blending a selection of nine single origin coffees.
Tantalise your taste buds
Resident chefs will create bespoke menus exclusively for the event at the White Label Kitchen. Prepare yourself for some unique dishes that will perfectly complement the range of coffees at the festival.
Learn how to make decent coffee
Struggling to perfect your favourite espresso at home? Fear not, the team at ThreeSixty° Coffee are on hand in the Make Decent Coffee Lounge to answer your questions and help you conquer the cafetiere, ace the aeropress and brave the V60.
Choose your preferred piece of equipment and watch the masters at work as they show you that decent coffee is not just for the experts.
Immerse yourself in the sounds of international artists
Celebrate the weekend with the sounds of coffee-growing regions: join Ethiopian group Krar Collective for an espresso martini at Friday evening’s launch party, fiesta with South American Lokandes on Saturday and move and groove to Jamaican music on Sunday with The Big Steal.
Discover new innovative brands
The fashion and design district of The London Coffee Festival, Milk & Sugar showcases unique, inspirational brands and innovative products that celebrate culture and creativity.
Experience multiple botanicals at the vintage Monkey 47 Gin Parlour or taste refinement at the Four Roses Bourbon Bar, before picking up the latest fashions from David David, Scarlett of Soho or Pilgrim Cycling, while listening to the sounds of DJ Dee Scott.
The London Coffee Festival takes place at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch until May 3. Visit www.londoncoffeefestival.com for more details.
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