There is a new event to add to the annual coffee calendar and that’s the India International Coffee Festival. The Coffee Board of India is gearing up to present the first edition of the festival, scheduled for 13-15 Dec 2024, at the Bangalore Palace. The earlier version of this festival was smaller in scale and held biannually since 2008. However, following the success of the World Coffee Congress & Expo that India hosted in 2023, the board under the leadership of Dr KG Jagadeesha, CEO & Secretary, has chosen to go big and create what they hope will become an annual event.
This year the 3-day festival is expected to bring back some of the popular segments from 2023, such as the exhibitions and networking opportunities for those in the coffee trade. However, the festival is not just a trade show. Speaking to StiR about the event, Dr Jagadeesha said that there has been a concerted effort to include all the stakeholders in the coffee value chain. So, consumers can expect to learn about and sample a variety of Indian coffee. There are workshops and conferences planned for those interested in picking up new skills and perhaps exploring careers in coffee. It’s a festival for those who grow, make, sell and consume coffee.
The event is also expected to play host to the finals of several coffee championships, including the National Barista Championship, organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of India, and the National Latte Art Championship organized by Kaapi Machines. Both these were standalone events that have now been brought under the IICF umbrella. Coffee enthusiasts have not been ignored either and can sign up to participate in a coffee cocktail challenge in the run-up to the main event.
In the coming years, the Board plans to introduce smaller events in the major cities across India culminating with a signature concluding event in Bangalore. Speaking about the IICF, Dr Jagadeesha said that the decision to conceptualize this program as an international coffee festival came after all the positive feedback for last year’s Coffee conference, and to keep that momentum going.
In September 2023, India hosted the 5th World Coffee Conference, the first Asian city to do so. The event saw 208 exhibitors, 128 speakers, participants from 80 countries and over 10,000 visitors. It was evident that visitors and participants left with the message that Indian coffee was claiming its place as a significant player.
Indian coffee stands out for being completely shade-grown and sustainably farmed. The robusta remains an underrated hero varietal. Several interesting innovations in processing techniques are being seen. Once relegated to the export market, it has in recent years found a fan following within India with the mushrooming of roasteries and home brewing options, coffee clubs and cafes. It is gaining interest as an attractive lifestyle choice.
Last year’s event made it evident that Indian coffee needs a marketing and branding boost to lift its profile to gain a greater market share and attention. The India International Coffee Festival seems to have set out to do just that.