Event Preview: Edinburgh Coffee Festival returns this October

Edinburgh Coffee Festival returns

Love coffee and are near Edinburgh on Saturday 14th October? Then get that date in your diary, Edinburgh Coffee Festival returns. It will take over the Corn Exchange to bring together 3000 coffee lovers, 40 speciality coffee and tea exhibitors and some of the best coffee cocktails, food and cake around.

“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. In our third year now, the Edinburgh Coffee Festival brings everyone together under one roof to talk to roasters and baristas, taste loads of different coffees and get to know the great coffee scene we have” outlines event organiser Martin Dare.

Pru Whitwell, blogger for Scotland Coffee Lovers adds “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”

The Festival will include:

Demonstrations and talks on tasting, technical coffee and tea skills, social responsibility, and to how to set up a coffee shop.

Stalls by local roasters and coffee shops, cake and doughnut makers, hot and cold street food, sellers of brewing equipment

Half-day ‘Introduction to coffee’ course for half price (book early to avoid disappointment!). Home brewers and people starting their coffee career will learn about the science of roasting, sensory (viewing, smelling, tasting) and barista skills.

Vegware and Frank Green will help the Festival to be a zero waste event. Edinburgh-based Vegware will furnish all exhibitors with fully compostable cups and dispose of waste sustainably. Frank Green is also offering their stylish SmartCups at a discounted price with each ticket purchase – so you can continue to look after our planet with every coffee.

Martin adds, “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 14^th October in your diary now, buy your ticket online and start looking forward to the best coffee break of the year!”