As well as an important form of connection between different cultures in the world, coffee was the link between producers , exporters, buyers, roasters, coffee shops and baristas responsible for the entire process from bean to cup during the 7th edition of the International Coffee Week ( SIC). The annual event was held on November 20, 21 and 22, 2019 at Expominas , in Belo Horizonte, and had 220 exhibitors and representatives from more than 40 countries.
Although it is still new - about 20 years old compared to the more than 2,000 of the plant in the world - the specialty coffee market , with full appreciation of the producer , of the processing and extraction processes, has made SIC the main meeting place for the entire coffee chain , showing the strength of the connection between knowledge, technologies, methods, ideas and people.
In each of the 80,000 cups of coffee served during the 3 days of the fair, there was a clear perception that the stories behind the drink also matter and that craftsmanship is the new luxury . This understanding establishes a relationship with the decorative arts we sell, not only because of the plant's trajectory around the world, which places Indonesia as a major producer, but also because of the concept of well-being that provokes a product whose value begins with quality planting and not amount.
The pesticide-free production processes, selectively hand-picked coffee cherries, fair remuneration for producers, sensory and physical-chemical enhancement of the roasted bean and precise extraction methods are some of the details that make special coffee an enriching product. .
Valuing the coffee producer and the country's economic development
Obtaining a score above 80 on a scale of 100 to deliver the perfect balance of acidity, sweetness and body in the drink is the great challenge for the specialty coffee producer among the main modalities: Arabica and Canephora. The natural variables that challenged production nationwide in 2019 did not discourage small and large producers, including indigenous ones , from sending 500 coffee samples to compete for the title of best of the year in the Coffee of The Year ( COY ) competition held on SIC.
While Willians Valério 's Recanto dos Tucanos site (Alto Caparaó - MG) was awarded the title of Best Arabica Coffee with 88 points, Luiz Cláudio de Souza 's Graos de Ouro site (Muqui - ES) received the title of Best Coffee Canephora with 86 points. SIC's 23,000 visitors were able to follow the voting stages over the 3 days of the event and give a standing ovation to the finalists at the COY 2019 awards ceremony.
The record of samples sent and the quality demonstrated that the basis of the economic development of the sector is in the appreciation of those who plant. However, Conab (Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento) estimates that Brazil will end the year with 48.9 million bags.
Planting, harvesting, processing, processing and roasting!
Raw coffee , already processed and benefited, is completely transformed with artisanal roasting . It enhances the bean 's characteristics such as aromas and flavors and preserves the natural acidity through roasting profiles adjusted by time and temperature. It is one of the most delicate processes, requiring technique and quality control to maintain grain homogeneity, especially in blends .
Executing such a complex process is also worthy of appreciation, so the professional roaster was featured in some of the more than 40 simultaneous events that took place at the fair, such as Roasting Experience and Roasting Championship ( International Coffee Roast Master Championship - Brazil 2019 ). They exchanged knowledge on how to define different sensory profiles with the same coffee, how to review the color concepts of the profiles and how to understand their variables.
Well, you can see that, in addition to numerous processes, many hands have made coffee beans , capsules or soluble coffee reach your cup! And that's the drink's greatest wealth!
Where does my coffee come from? Ask the barista!
The 2019 International Coffee Week was not just about business, courses, lectures and tastings, but also competitions in arenas set up among exhibitors to present professional baristas that stand out on the scene: the Brazilian barismo championships . In the National Coffee Tasting Championship ( Cup Tasters ), whose challenge was to distinguish the cups that presented sensory differences in the shortest time, taster Phelippe Nascimento won first place.
In the National Coffee Preparation Championship ( Brewers Cup ), in which the barista needs to combine oratory, technique and skill to extract three strains with identical drinks, Júlia Fortini represented the women as the champion. The 2019 National Barista Championship , in turn, whose professional needs to tell the history and particularities of the bean while preparing 12 drinks (4 espressos, 4 with milk and 4 signature drinks) in 15 minutes, elected Leonardo Moço as the winner.
These last two championships make it clear how the barista is responsible for transmitting to the consumer all the stories that involve the special coffee bean up to the cup, as well as its sensory notes, aromas and characteristics enhanced by the roasting profile and extraction method.
Handmade products move the market
The new perception of the value of artisanal products has moved the national market and makes the expansion of specialty coffee during SIC 2019 more than evident. Among deals closed, coffees, machinery and accessories for coffee shops sold at prices above the market, it is estimated that sales of close to 50 million were started at the event.
This recognition made not only the fair the most successful among the previous editions (considering the current scenario), but also all those involved in the coffee chain - from the export market to imports, exhibitors, industries, cooperatives and producers.
The spaces for the International Coffee Week were designed to serve everyone in the sector, as shown by the presence of the Producer's Patio with machinery and agricultural implements; the Cafeteria Modelo area dedicated to entrepreneurship; spaces for workshops and training courses for professionals; and the exhibition of packaging from the Espresso Design competition, aimed at enhancing the presentation of the product on the shelves.
Craft celebrates time, history and sustainability
Coffee is one of the main Brazilian commodities - a commodity produced on a large scale that acts as raw material for industries - with the country being the largest producer of the grain in the world. And one of the challenges faced by large corporations is to unite sustainability , social responsibility and the quality present in the handling of handcrafted products .
However, by filling in the spaces of SIC 2019 together, they demonstrated that there is a dialogue between the two coffee market niches , with a concern to add value and exalt the field, the origin of coffee.
And if there is any doubt that the concept “ craftsmanship is the new luxury ” is in everything and that it is increasingly necessary to understand the origin of what we consume, just access our online store and identify the cultural and artistic richness that will be before you. your eyes.
Namaste!
Milene Sousa - Art & Tune
