Many of us consider coffee essential. It gives us the energy to start the day and stay productive. As a result, several cafes and pickup coffee shops have become lucrative businesses that any coffee lover can get into.
In the Philippines, there are coffee festivals and exhibits that help encourage people to get into the coffee industry. One of which is the Coffee Expo, the country’s biggest coffee exhibit.
The three-day event ran from July 28 to 30, 2023 at the Activity Center of Ayala Center Cebu. Hundreds of coffee enthusiasts gathered to try out the products of different coffee startups and businesses that encourage aspiring entrepreneurs through informative talks.
The expo also guides young entrepreneurs in starting their own coffee business, selling various espresso machines and coffee equipment.
It’s indeed the perfect event for both coffee lovers and enthusiasts to share and celebrate their love for this essential beverage.
WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COFFEE EXPO?
The Coffee Expo is one of the best places to try out various types of coffee. You may find more established cafes like Starbucks and Bo’s Coffee at the mall, but the event focuses more on third wave coffee culture.
Exhibitors sold coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos to customers. Several stands also offered free samples for mall goers checking out the event.
Tuburan Coffee was one of the event’s more well-known exhibitors. They are famous for selling drinks made from locally grown coffee beans in the town of Tuburan.
This quiet northwestern town is 91 kilometers away from Cebu City and takes about a 2-hour drive when passing by the Cebu Transcentral Highway.
You can purchase any of their ground coffee beans to bring home and brew them yourself. There are tons of options available at the event, especially from local roasters like Curve and Verra Coffee.
If you’re interested in purchasing coffee grounds, consider getting the right equipment for it as well. This is one of the reasons why the Coffee Expo highlights different companies selling coffee beans and brewing equipment.
There were dozens of espresso machines sold that you can use at home or to start your own business. This makes brewing coffee much faster and more efficient if you know how to use them.
Brewing coffee grounds gives your espresso a more natural aroma and taste, and it allows you to customize your drinks to your liking. With all the accessories needed for coffee machines, it may take some time to fully master the coffee making process.
Luckily, there are several apparatus for beginners that you can use.
The Ceado Hoop Coffee Brewer was shown off for the first time in the Philippines by Kape Natividad during the Expo. This brand new device makes brewing easier, using minimal effort through a new innovative technique.
It uses Radial Infusion, which basically allows coffee to brew itself. All you have to do is pour water onto a funnel with tiny holes and let it flow into the coffee, extracting the espresso.
This lets you brew your coffee passively, without having to worry about it. It’s also easier to clean since the coffee filters used to extract the espresso simply slide off when you twist off the coffee tower.
With only three removable items on it, you can bring it with you and make your coffee on the go.
Kape Natividad showcased coffee made from the Hoop Coffee Brewer for free, selling the product for P2,250.
Aside from the coffee industry, the Coffee Expo also highlights the various chocolate drinks that Filipinos love. Several stalls offered hot chocolate, while others sold bags of tablea that you can bring home.
The Philippine Chocolate Company offered free samples of their hot chocolate at their stall. Their chocolate drinks are made from cacao beans, which they also showcased at the event.
Aside from drinks, some stalls also offered special delicacies and snacks such as biscuits and cakes to take home.
There is a special workshop for each day of the event where you can learn more about starting a coffee business. Topics include how to maintain a coffee shop, how to use modernized coffee technology, and how to extract chocolate.
The Coffee Expo encourages everyone to learn more about coffee culture by learning how to brew coffee, how to start your own coffee shop, and which specialty drinks to try out.
It showcases the newest innovations in the industry, including how to make quality drinks for coffee lovers and enthusiasts alike. Aspiring coffee business owners can start their network or get funding to support their dream.
You don’t even have to be a coffee lover to enjoy or appreciate the exhibits and workshops held at this event.
The biggest coffee expo in the Philippines is a must-visit for any aspiring entrepreneur. It’s one of the best avenues to learn what’s new in the Philippine coffee industry.