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The Glasgow Coffee Festival is set to return this month. The festival, which was founded in 2014, will take place on April 26 and 27 at The Briggait. It was created with the aim of bringing people together over coffee, celebrating Scotland's coffee scene, and sparking conversations.
Read more: Glasgow businesses in the running to be pie world champions Sponsors backing this year’s event include Dear Green, La Marzocco, Brew-it Group, Oatly, Mossgiel Organic Farm, The Social Hub Glasgow, PR agency Story Shop, Brewed by Hand and BWT. Gill McIntyre, coffee services specialist and event coordinator, shared some of her must-see moments for this year's festival. The coffee trainer and barista, who has been working in the industry for more than 20 years, said: "We’ve built this festival around community and the love of coffee – but also around responsibility.
"From banning single-use cups to becoming a B Corp and joining 1 per cent for the Planet, we’re serious about doing better by people and planet. "Coffee’s future depends on it. Gil said that one of the "most powerful" things at the festival is the Ethiopian coffee ceremony with The Coffee Legends.
She said: "This is one of the most powerful things we’ve ever had at the festival. "If you think coffee’s just something you grab on the way to work, this will make you think differently about it. "This ceremony will take you right back to coffee’s roots: its people, culture, and history.
"The Coffee Legends are on a mission to share Ethiopian coffee culture as it is experienced daily in the country where coffee was discovered – as a ritual of connection and respect. "It’s humbling, it gives you a total shift in perspective. "Everyone should see it at least once.
" Another highlight is the SCA UK Cup Tasters championship final, where experienced tasters go head-to-head to pick the odd cup out from a set of three. Gil said: "The tasters taking part have trained their palates to a ridiculous degree. "It’s pure sensory skill and it’s amazing to watch.
" Read more: 'We are thrilled': Popular Italian restaurant in Glasgow wins prestigious award The festival will also see the return of the Roast Hero competition, where roasters are given the same raw coffee to roast to create the ultimate cup of coffee. It will also feature a latte art competition, which is open to all - from experienced baristas to complete first-timers. As well as home brewing demos, designed to teach people how to make a special coffee without a lot of fancy kit.
Gil added: "Come and experience amazing coffee and coffee culture – leave with a bigger sense of what you’re part of." More information about the event is available on the Glasgow Coffee Festival website..
