Sharjah coffee house, Ratios, opens its doors

Sharjah-located coffee house Ratios, owned by UAE's Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, has opened its doors to the public.

Figjam has been employed on the project since early 2015 and, working closely with owner Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, was responsible for the concept development through to on-site management.

The brand was conceived as a high quality alternative to the run of the mill coffee shops and cafes, after market research into consumer wants and needs highlighted a desire for homegrown and more artisanal experiences when it came to coffee.

Ratios owner Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi said: "Ratios will embody the third wave coffee movement in the UAE, focusing on authentic interiors, barista techniques and a wider range of crafted high quality coffees.

"We are true coffee specialists, educated in all stages of coffee production, from bean roasting to grind sizes, percentages to extraction times and brewing, pulling shots and cupping. We have enormous respect for the humble coffee bean and believe that this results in a better experience for our customers.”

Further research indicated traceability and health as key trends gaining ground in recent years, the expectation of customers to know where the food they’re eating has come from and a preference towards the use of organic ingredients, healthy food and drink options and accommodating dietary requirements.

In a report by Euromonitor International it was predicted the number of local, small coffee roasters is likely to increase in the coming years as consumers become more educated about coffee and more interested in single-origin, fair trade and organic varieties.

“Considering this research and the client’s vision we felt we had a clear direction from which to take the Ratios brand forward,” said Figjam managing director Sanjay Murthy.

"We created a high quality artisan coffee house that will meet today’s consumer demands and spearhead the evolution of the UAE’s specialist coffee sector."

In line with the promise of quality coffee and no junk, Figjam designed the interiors to concentrate on simplicity and an urban community vibe, using natural materials and an open seating arrangement. 

“We are proud of what we have achieved with Ratios and excited to see where the team there now takes it. We know Ratios can deliver and we know the market shows promise with rising tourism figures and patrons using coffee shops for working, socialising and studying,” added Murthy

Euromonitor International predicts that by the end of 2015, specialist cafes (chained and independent) in the UAE will have a combined total sales value of AED 1.3 billion (US $0.35bn).