Spilling the beans on the London Coffee Festival

It's ironic that a nation with tea running through its veins is getting a reputation for its thriving and bustling coffee scene. Case in point is The London Coffee Festival - a must-see event for coffee lovers and those working in the industry. Running over the 8th-9th of April it is also the official launch event of UK Coffee Week. Over 35,000 people are expected to visit the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane where the festival is being held.

What to see and do at the London Coffee Festival

The London Coffee Festival showcases over 250 artisan coffee and food stalls. There will also be demonstrations from world-class baristas, coffee tastings and workshops alongside DJs, live music and art exhibitions. Visitors can also gain access to Milk & Sugar - a fashion and lifestyle district. This area showcases inspirational brands from the world of food, design and fashion.

What is on trend

Graham Hart, our website manager and coffee lover attended the trade day along with his brother Jonathan. Both were keen to discover the latest trends in the world of coffee. Returning home with a serious case of the caffeine jitters from all the wonderful coffees they sampled, the consensus was that pour over and cold brew were the 'on trend' methods of making coffee. Both methods allow the flavour of the coffee to develop naturally for a purer end result. It is worth pointing out that cold brew coffee differs from iced coffee. Cold brew coffee is created by steeping fresh coffee grounds in cold water for between 12 and 24 hours. This creates a beautifully balanced and smooth flavour which is less acidic than regular coffee. There are many ways you can enjoy the end product. Use it as a base for coffee cocktails (another area rising in popularity). Enjoy it on its own over ice cubes. You can even add it to hot water for a traditional coffee. Just be aware that it retains a higher amount of caffeine than other brewing methods!

Coffee kit

If you are serious about getting the best tasting coffee you'll need the correct kit. There are so many ways of making coffee it can be a little daunting (see our blog Which is the best coffee machine for you?for help) but I've chosen three brands with a good range of options. If you are attending the London Coffee Festival look out for them and see for yourself.

Bonavita

Bonavita's goal is pretty straightforward. They realise that life is complicated, but brewing coffee and tea shouldn't be. Years of research, refinement, testing, awards and certifications have resulted in a simple to use range of kettles, drippers and brewers. Leaving you to enjoy the simple delights of a good cup of coffee or tea. Click here to view the Bonavita range on our website.

KitchenAid

You might initially associate the name KitchenAid with food mixers, but this iconic brand produce an impressive range of coffee machines. Their original Artisan Espresso Maker is now joined by the stylish and convenient Nespresso capsule machine, pour over and drip machines. The theatrical Siphon machines adds a touch of science and wow factor to coffee preparation. The latest addition to the KitchenAid coffee family is the 'on trend' cold brew coffee maker. Click here to view the KitchenAid range of our website.

Sage by Heston Blumenthal

Sage and Heston Blumenthal have joined forces to create a range coffee machines to suit all budgets. The perfect pairing of style and technology, these coffee machines are designed to create the perfect coffee. It is like having your own Barista at home. The Dual Boiler and The Oracle models include Sage's White Glove Installation service. Once your machine has been delivered, a Sage technician will come to your home and set the coffee machine up and teach you how to make the perfect coffee! Visitors to the London Coffee Festival may have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of their latest machine - the Oracle Touch which is due for release later this year. Their Barista Express coffee machine has just been put to the test on Channel 5's The Gadget Show. It was up against two other machines and came out top on both taste and quality of the brew, beating a £3,000+ fully automatic bean to cup coffee machine. Click here to view the Sage By Heston Blumenthal range on our website.