Cezve/Ibrik World Championship
The SCAE is to launch a new World Championship in coffee preparation at the Wonderful Coffee Cologne event, which takes place at the Coffeena exhibition at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany, June 26-28. The Cezve/Ibrik World Championship, which was successfully trialled last year at Wonderful Coffee Copenhagen, becomes the latest and most spectacular in the series of World Championships organised by the SCAE.
The Cezve or Ibrik brewing method has been used for several centuries as the main way of making coffee in southeastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa. The method represents an important part of our coffee heritage, and a fascinating glimpse at the way coffee can be prepared in other parts of the world.
Contestants at the World Championship are required to make both traditional and signature coffee beverages using the method, against a background which recreates the exotic cultures of this part of the world. It is an experience that equates to the traditions of the Japanese tea ceremony, and the Championship is conducted in an especially entertaining and unusual way.
Last year in Copenhagen, responding to the traditional music and costumes on display at the event, the enthusiastic audience supported some 12 contestants from all over Europe and beyond, and the result was a win for Russia. This year in Cologne, with 20 national contestants expected, the UK and Austria are among the favourites, but of course strong competition will come from the contestants representing countries like Turkey and Greece, where national pride is strong and there is widespread expertise in this traditional way of preparing coffee.
Attendance at the first edition of the Cezve/Ibrik World Championship—set to take place in its own specially designated area at the Coffeena exhibition—should be mandatory for any serious coffee professional or enthusiast.
Further information: www.world-cezve-ibrik-championship.com