Coffee, collaborations and home brewing

The India International Coffee Festival (IICF) is a multi-city coffee festival supported by the Coffee Board of India that celebrates India’s coffee culture. Building on the momentum of the 2023 World Coffee Conference (WCC) in Bengaluru that drew over 2,400 delegates, 117 speakers, 208 exhibitors, and more than 20,000 visitors from 80 countries, IICF brings a mega-event to India, promising an even grander experience.

This year’s event is being held in three cities—Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru—in October 2024. With preliminary events in Delhi (4-6 October at Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden), Mumbai (11-13 October at Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla), and Bengaluru (28-30 October at Bangalore International Centre, Domlur), the festival will culminate in Bengaluru (13-15 December), where the national coffee champion will be chosen to represent India on a global level.

IndiFoodBev attended the event on the first day in Delhi when the barista contest prelims were on. The aroma of coffee filled the air even though the event was hosted outside. On the sidelines of the competition, coffee and coffee-making solution providers showcased a wide range of specialty coffee, equipment, and accessories.

The festival is designed to cater to a broad audience ranging from industry professionals including growers, roasters, exporters, traders, cafe chain owners, and retailers to coffee connoisseurs and the general public, offering an immersive experience that showcases the diversity and richness of coffee culture in India.

The multi-city mega event puts India in the spotlight as a coffee hub that has a major role to play in the global coffee ecospace. Brijesh, a barista representing 93˚ Coffee Roasters, a coffeehouse chain based in Gurugram, told us that the coffee industry is expanding its offering for both industrial and consumer-centric markets.

“We have been widening in both reach and product portfolio,” Brijesh said. “In our process, we source coffee beans directly from farms. Roasting being our core, we provide coffee to QSR chains all over India and have around 18 coffee outlets in Gurugram.” The coffee provider was also present as an exhibitor and service provider at World Food India in Pragati Maidan.

Collaboration and consumer experience stood out as the major theme of the event. We noticed that coffee makers are keen on developing entire solutions, providing ecosystems such as coffee beans, roasting machines, and brewing equipment. Kofihaus, a brewing machine supplier based in Naraina, Delhi was present with its partners.

In conversation with Vaibhav Seth, senior marketing associate at Kofihaus, who offered us a delicious brew, we got to know that the industry’s collaborations are targeted at the consumer-centric market. To enhance consumer knowledge and inform them about the intricacies of brewing coffee, the manufacturer has established an experience center featuring a ‘do-it-yourself’ facility.

“We help provide brewing technology, ingredients, and training to anyone who wants to establish a cafe. Our verticals are in great demand in the corporate sector with Gurugram and Delhi being our biggest hubs. Consumers are beginning to take more interest in brewing culture. A shift in behavior is more visible as consumers, instead of opting for a Rs 10 sachet, are more interested in fresh brews,” Seth said.

In India, a cup of coffee generally means a pouch of coffee, milk, and loads of sugar while now the interest is increasing towards fresh brews without sugar and milk. Even in milk-based drinks, consumers have started to understand the difference between cappuccino, latte, and mocha and have different preferences according to their taste pallet. The change is noticeable when you visit any coffee shop where Indian consumers, instead of opting for the second cheapest drink, are now more particular about what they want in their drink, giving rise to more customized products.

Kofihaus, whose machines and beans are sourced from Italy and Germany, also believes the industry is growing rapidly, driven by consumer awareness. Akhil Bharadwaj, business development manager, said the consumer wants to know more about the preparations involved in brewing. Many want espresso machines in their homes. “We want to make the journey easier. At our experience center, we guide consumers on every step of making coffee and have them try it on their own. It becomes a fun learning experience filled with aromatic beverages.”

DM Purnesh, president of Speciality Coffee Association of India (SCAI), said, “India has an ever-growing coffee-drinking audience and plays a major role in shaping the future of coffee culture. We hope to see connoisseurs and stakeholders coming and spending three fruitful days in these three leading cities and exchanging creative ideas.”

IICF is set to brew a series of events with three competitions that showcase the fusion of artistry, skill, and passion in the coffee industry. While the National Barista Championship – Celebrating the ‘Art of Coffee’ is aimed at highlighting the skills of baristas across the country, the Brewers Cup Championship – A Celebration of Coffee Brewing Excellence spotlights the artistry and precision of coffee brewing. Designed for coffee professionals and enthusiasts alike, this championship celebrates the diverse methods of brewing coffee.

Hamsini Appadurai – owner, Sangameshwar Coffee Estates said, “The coffee industry is going through a revolutionary phase with new trends and amazing innovations. The festival is the perfect platform to get industry leaders and stakeholders together and give them an opportunity for knowledge sharing.”

This event serves as an opportunity to enable connections among baristas, roasters, suppliers, and coffee aficionados while promoting collaboration and innovation within the coffee community. Through tasting sessions, interactive workshops, and a series of interesting sessions on the itinerary, the festival will enhance awareness and appreciation for specialty coffee among consumers, making it an essential highlight in the global coffee calendar.

The India International Coffee Festival aims to foster a deeper understanding of coffee culture and its significance within the global landscape, making the three days in each city an event filled with fun, learning, and entertainment.