Battle of Beans brews full-steam
Coffee Collab announced the launch of The Battle of the Beans, a coffee competition aimed at not only identifying the province’s best cappuccinos and single-shot espressos but ultimately creating a guide to the very best spots for coffee lovers to enjoy their caffeine fix.
A GROUP of local coffee experts have collaborated to bring a steamy campaign for coffee lovers and sellers. Coffee Collab brings in piping hot, Battle of the Beans.
Co-founders Ingrid Shevlin (The Quean Bean), Dennis Ngxongo and Shrewd Food shared the excitement about the return of this well-loved campaign.
“With this campaign, we hope to show that Durban is the warmest place to be. The culture of coffee consumption is the epicentre of our social life. Battle of the Beans will not only showcase the best among the best in the coffee realm but it will also zoom into hospitality with coffee shops. Hence, we have one category aimed to identify and empower barristers and waiters in coffee shops,” Ngxongo said.
He said that the judging process involving coffee spots in different areas surrounding Durban will be administered anonymously. The campaign is extended to the Midlands and South and North Coasts. In the end, finalists will vie for the ultimate win.
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The Coffee Colab was born with the aim of embracing all opportunities to promote coffee in KZN, starting with an old favourite – an annual coffee competition aimed at identifying KZN’s coffee shop royalty.
Shevlin recalled how, 20 years ago, she began chatting to a proprietor of a coffee shop about the art of making coffee and the perfect cappuccino. The coffee competition was born from this conversation that not only raised awareness of coffee making as a skill and career but also boosted the standards of excellence while also acknowledging the role and skills of the barista.
“In KZN, coffee shops are the cornerstone of the hospitality industry, offering spaces where you can linger over a freshly brewed espresso or a creamy cappuccino while chatting with friends. When thinking about our coffee shops, we realised the importance of affordable community spaces. So, what better time than now to acknowledge the role coffee shops have played and still play in both personal and community lives? As the Coffee Colab, we believe the best way to do this is to host a competition to judge the ethos of the coffee shop and the excellence of the coffee served. This is also about promoting the industry and acknowledging those who stayed the course,” she explained.
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“The City of Durban is contemplating a much-needed revival and a return to its former glory. This is our way of contributing to the efforts of those involved. By highlighting and showcasing the tourism, hospitality and lifestyle offering that small coffee shops offer, we can shine a light on our entrepreneurs,” Ngxongo added.
Qualifying for the competitions in The Battle of the Beans are independent coffee shops, emerging coffee carts and vans popping up around town. Each coffee venue must have an espresso machine and an active barista.
Top regional performers will be honoured together with the top three coffee shops across the province at an awards ceremony at the end of the year.
As The Battle of the Beans unfolds, KZN’s coffee community will be encouraged to share their coffee experiences on our social media platforms to ensure that we include their favourite caffeine hangout on The Battle of the Beans on Facebook and Instagram.
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