Planters plan coffee mela in B'lore

The Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI), made up of coffee planters seeking to promote special and specialty coffee, after holding the annual India Barista Championship (IBC) is now considering a 'Coffee Mela' in Bangalore.

Speaking at the SCAI's fifth annual India Barista championship (IBC) 2006 here on Monday, Ashok Kuriyan, chairman, SCAI, said at the mela, coffee planters will be encouraged to showcase their coffees and create awareness of their estates and best plantation practices.

The main purpose of holding the mela will be to display different coffee varieties and create the right blends to suit individual tastes. "By doing this we will be encouraging coffee drinking, thereby increasing coffee consumption," he added.

SCAI is taking the cue from 'kadalekay parshe' (groundnut fair) held annually in Basavangudi and the recently-concluded 'avarekai mela' at V V Puram.

The fifth consecutive annual India Barista Championship (IBC) 2006 got underway with 44 baristi (plural of barista meaning server of coffee) battling it out for the prizes.

IBC is a contest through which a level of expertise in preparing espresso-based coffee drinks is measured. In addition to the preparation of a variety of coffees, the contestants are also evaluated on their presentation skills and their efficiency.

"This year, several coffee bars and cafes have enrolled their barista. The preliminary and semi-final rounds of the IBC 2006 are being held on Monday to Wednesday and the final round will be held on the February 2," said K Kurian, chairman, IBC 2006.

"Consuming nations see the baristi as the face of special and specialty coffee. Baristi are the messengers of coffee to the consuming public," he added.

SCAI is the agency in India authorised by the World Barista Championship (WBC) Committee to conduct the IBC. The winners get selected to participate in WBC held annually.

In 2005, the WBC was held at Seattle, USA and in 2006 the WBC will be held at Berne in Switzerland during May.