What are the latest trends in tea and coffee in the region?

Aparna Barretto: Consumers are increasingly interested in authentic high-quality products, leading to a stronger demand for premium coffee and equipment. As the market has already slowly entered the “fourth wave of coffee”, alternative brewing equipment such as chemex, aeropress or V60 are still trendy. The newest one in the UAE being the nitrogen infused coffee.

Robert Jones: As the trend for speciality coffee continues to flourish amongst consumers in the region, it is our responsibility as a local coffee company to meet these demands as well as pioneer new speciality coffee experiences for individuals to try. A trend worth mentioning is the rise in demand for cold brew coffee, which is best experienced as soon as it’s made. Cold brew is suited to speciality coffee as it emphasises the delicate nuances and aromas of the bean, and we expect to see this type of coffee continue to grow in popularity.

Arnd Springer: A few trends we have witnessed in the market are the rise in demand for iced tea and coffee beverages, including flavoured and personalised coffee and cappuccino drinks.

Ahmad Popal: We see a growing trend for variety and customisation, especially when it comes to coffee beverages. Be it in the restaurant, at the breakfast buffet, banqueting, or even in staff offices; offering one type of coffee may not be enough anymore for today’s consumer. For black coffee consumers, it is about allowing them to customise their coffee type and strength. For white coffee consumers, it is about giving options for milk types, from creamy indulgence to fat-free milk. Whereas for consumers with a sweet tooth, offering a range of flavour options is important. Here in the region, the three most popular flavours we see are caramel, vanilla and cardamom. Iced coffee is another hot trend in the region. In parts of the world iced coffee is already a ubiquitous offering in hotels and restaurants. While in the Middle East it has not reached that status yet, we see it as one of the up-and-coming trends and an opportunity for operators to capitalise on quickly.

What is your most requested service or product?

Aparna: In traditional coffee machines, La Marzocco remains a favourite. Our two best sellers are The Linea PB AV, which is designed by, and named in recognition of, Piero Bambi and inspired by the iconic Linea Classic. The other is the Strada MP, which is designed for and by baristas. Strada MP is a technologically advanced traditional espresso machine featuring traditional hydraulics and a barista-friendly design. We also provide our clients with certified barista training courses and menu development programmes, which are much appreciated. On the technical side, Boncafé’s service and maintenance division offers full consultation and professional guidance, with a highly skilled team of technicians.

Robert: Customers are most impressed by our 360-degree approach to coffee solutions, for which we offer a combination of full support and training as well as machine delivery and installations for foodservice, office, retail and vending coffee requirements throughout the UAE. Our extensive range of complete coffee solutions and our ability to produce freshly-roasted 100% Arabica coffee locally allows us to confidently meet demands. One of our most requested coffees is our Professional Series Roast no.70, a full-bodied blend with a natural sweetness and notes of dark chocolate and walnut.

Arnd: Some of our most requested products include the supply of fresh ‘bean-to-cup’ coffee machines, the supply of fresh coffee beans and instant mix products. Finally, we also provide service and maintenance of all types of the coffee machines.

Ahmad: There are three key areas where we see high demand for our solutions. One, operationally simple machines, where our coffee machines are the top requested item. The new Nescafé Milano touch screen technology allows for variety and customisation, yet the machines are fast, simple to clean and maintain in less than five minutes a day and provide online-connected data for a full transparency of usage.

Second, popular consumer products, where Nescafé and Coffee-Mate sticks are the standard of virtually every hotel room in the Middle East. Another fast growing product is Nescafé Arabiana, which lets hotels and restaurants serve an authentic tasting Arabic coffee with operational ease.

Finally, consistent after-sales service, which is critical to keep the beverage operation running. We have an all-inclusive programme called ProCare Beverage Services that provides machine rental, technical service, delivery, and call-centre support under one umbrella without any extra charges. Our dedicated and Nestlé-certified technicians and service personnel cover almost every country in the entire Middle-east under the same consistent ProCare service.

What are some of the main challenges you face as suppliers?

Aparna: Awareness of coffee products is growing rapidly in the region. Consumers are therefore becoming more demanding in terms of prices and quality for their coffee beans and equipment, which translated in our case by a rising demand for high-end products like La Marzocco machines. Boncafé obliges the demands of its clients and work around providing them with customised solutions, answering their individual requirements. Customers are also looking for turnkey coffee solutions and looking for suppliers who can provide them with the coffee beans, equipment, barista training and maintenance all together.

Story continues below
Advertisement