Coffee Flight Event with Victoria Arduino in Saudi Arabia

Wondering what a coffee flight adventure with Victoria Arduino in Saudi Arabia is all about? This article explores the magic of a multi-city event where coffee lovers interested in various brewing methods, tasted unique blends, and interacted with top baristas using Victoria Arduino’s state-of-the-art equipment. Read on to discover the sensory journey and insights shared at this unforgettable event.

Key Takeaways

• The Coffee Flight Event featured hands-on experiences across three Saudi cities, Khubar, Riyadh, and Madinah, focusing on different brewing methods and coffee varieties.
• Top baristas, including Antonio Orria, led interactive sessions sharing techniques and tips, creating an engaging atmosphere for coffee enthusiasts.
• Participants enjoyed unique drinks and gained insights into coffee preparation, emphasizing community learning and the importance of quality ingredients.

Event Overview: A Coffee Flight Experience with Victoria Arduino

A coffee flight event is a tasting experience where participants sample a variety of different coffee brews, often from different regions or roasters. Coffee flights can be a fun and informative way to learn about different coffee profiles, from light and fruity to dark and bold. They're sometimes paired with food or other beverages, and can be a great way to socialize with other coffee enthusiasts.

The Coffee Flight Event, organized by Victoria Arduino and Qavashop, was nothing short of a coffee lover’s dream come true. Held from October 14th to 16th, 2024, this event spanned three major cities in Saudi Arabia: Khobar, Riyadh, and Medina. The focus was on showcasing the unique sensory experiences that different brewing methods can offer, all while using the state-of-the-art equipment from Victoria Arduino, known for their innovative coffee machines and grinders.

Attendees included a diverse group of coffee roasters, coffee shop owners, and coffee enthusiasts, all eager to deepen their understanding of coffee. The event was designed to be interactive, allowing participants to engage in hands-on activities and learn from some of the best baristas in the industry.

The coffee flight experience was an exhilarating journey through the diverse world of coffee, showcasing a variety of flavors, aromas, and textures, offering a chance to both taste and understand the art and science of coffee preparation.

Meet the Baristas: Antonio Orria and More

One of the standout features of our Coffee Flight Event was the caliber of baristas who participated. Leading the charge was Antonio Orria, a coffee & beverages community expert at Victoria Arduino, who brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the event. Antonio’s passion for coffee was evident in every session, as he skillfully demonstrated various brewing techniques and shared his insights into the world of specialty coffee.

While Antonio was a shining star at the show, the event featured several notable people from around the country, each sharing unique skills and perspectives. These experts engaged with participants, answered questions, and shared their passion for coffee, creating a truly collaborative and energetic atmosphere.

Day 1 Highlights at Kafa Coffee in Khobar

Day 1 of the Coffee Flight Event kicked off at Kafa Coffee in Khobar, a premier specialty green coffee beans supplier in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The day’s activities were designed to immerse attendees in the sensory experiences that coffee can offer through various brewing methods. Interactive sessions allowed participants to get hands-on with different brewing techniques and explore the potential of coffee-based drinks.

Bandar Al-Kathiri, a participant at the event, shared his feedback, highlighting the exceptional nature of the coffee offerings. He particularly enjoyed the Gentlemen Barista Coffee Beans, noting their sweetness and the delightful flavors of cascara, espresso, and flat white. His enthusiasm was infectious, setting a positive tone for the rest of the event.

The night concluded with a tour of Kafa's green beans warehouse, offering insights into coffee storage and production. Participants gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of coffee preparation and left excited for the days ahead.

Signature Drinks and Unique Offerings

One of the standout features of the Coffee Flight Event had a signature drink and unique offering that was served. It combined cascara, black tea, orange juice, and cherry syrup. This innovative blend served as a palate cleanser after a night of coffee tasting, leaving participants refreshed and ready for more.

The precision brewing capabilities of the Victoria Arduino Eagle One Prima were also on full display. This advanced coffee machine, along with the Mythos MY 75 grinder, allowed the baristas to achieve consistent grind sizes and optimal flavor extraction for their espresso shots. The technology behind these machines played a crucial role in delivering high-quality coffee drinks, including espressos, lattes, and the signature cascara blend.

Talal Al-Shammari, a first-time coffee flight attendee, suggested that cascara should be served as a standalone drink, highlighting its unique flavor profile. This feedback was well-received, and there was a general consensus that the signature drinks were a hit among the participants.

Day 2 Insights: Techniques and Tools

Day 2 of the Coffee Flight Event took place at the Roasting House Coffee Roastery in Riyadh. The night experienced the same session as the night before, with additional experiments. The focus of the day was on sharing advanced techniques and tools for coffee preparation. Barista Antonio Orria experimented with the Turbo Shot technique, using the Victoria Arduino Eagle One Prima. He explained that the process involved grinding coffee coarser than usual, lowering the espresso machine pressure to 6 bars, and extracting for just 15 seconds. This rapid extraction method maximized the coffee’s flavor and aroma, offering a unique tasting experience.

Another highlight was the demonstration by Muath Alwahabi, the Roasting House Training and Development Manager, on preparing Red Eye Coffee, a potent blend of black coffee with a double shot of espresso. This drink, known for its high caffeine content, was a hit among participants who were looking for a strong, energizing brew.

Day 3 Cupping Session at Osar Roastery

Day 3 brought the Coffee Flight Event to Osar Roastery in Medina. The highlight of the day was a cupping session, where participants had the opportunity to taste and analyze 11 different coffee beans. The process began with grinding the coffee beans and smelling the dry grounds, followed by adding water and observing the changes in aroma, and then exploring the flavor.

After waiting for about 10 minutes for the coffee to cool, participants removed the grounds and began tasting, noting the differences in sweetness, acidity, and floral notes. This session was a sensory delight, allowing participants to deepen their understanding of coffee flavor profiles. It also provided valuable insights into the complexities of coffee tasting and the importance of each step in the process.

Interview with Sidra Marandi: Saudi Aeropress Champion

One of the most inspiring moments of the event was the interview with Sidra, the Saudi 2024 Aeropress Champion in Medina. Held at Osar Roastery, this interview provided a glimpse into Sidra’s journey of mastering the Aeropress, a rising brewing method in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Sidra shared the challenges she faced in adjusting variables such as grind size, water temperature, and brewing time to achieve the perfect cup of coffee.

Sidra’s dedication and relentless experimentation eventually led her to develop a championship-winning recipe. Her story was a testament to the passion and perseverance required to excel in the world of specialty coffee.

Participant Perspectives and Quotes

The Coffee Flight Event was not just about the experts; it was also about the participants and their experiences. Many attendees expressed a desire for more opportunities to engage in hands-on coffee activities and tastings. The sense of community and shared learning was a recurring theme, emphasizing the importance of bringing people together through coffee.

Hussain Alsalam, Marketing Specialist at Qavashop, conducted interviews with participants to gather their feedback. One notable suggestion came from Talal Al-Shammari, who recommended Inlight Roastery from the Eastern Province for its exceptional coffee beans. This kind of participant-driven insight added a valuable dimension to the event.

Future Events and Takeaways

The success of the Coffee Flight Event has paved the way for future coffee experiences. Antonio Orria expressed his happiness in meeting coffee lovers and exchanging experiences, promising to organize similar events in the future. He plans to incorporate feedback from attendees to enhance the structure and content of upcoming events. Antonio also highlighted the importance of continuous improvement and collaboration within the Saudi Arabian coffee industry.

Summary

The Coffee Flight Event with Victoria Arduino in Saudi Arabia offered a rich blend of learning, tasting, and community engagement. From the hands-on brewing techniques to the sensory delights of coffee tasting, participants walked away with a deeper appreciation for the complexities of coffee.

As we look to the future, the promise of more such events keeps the excitement alive. The coffee community in Saudi Arabia is growing, and with experts like Antonio Orria leading the way, the future looks bright and aromatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a coffee flight experience?

A coffee flight experience is all about tasting different coffee drinks made with various brewing methods, letting you savor the unique flavors and aromas of each. It's a fun way to discover what you love about coffee!

Who is Antonio Orria?

Antonio Orria is a CBC Expert at Victoria Arduino and has made a name for himself as the lead barista at the Coffee Flight Event, showcasing his coffee skills.

What was the signature drink at the event?

The signature drink was a refreshing mix of cascara, black tea, orange juice, and cherry syrup water, perfect for cleansing your palate after all that coffee tasting.

What is cupping?

Cupping is a method used to evaluate the flavor profiles of coffee beans. It involves grinding the beans, smelling the dry grounds, adding water, and then tasting the brew to assess its sweetness, acidity, and aroma. This process helps coffee enthusiasts and professionals understand the diverse characteristics of different coffee beans.

Will there be future coffee flight events?

Absolutely, there are plans for more coffee flight events in the future that will build on attendee feedback to make them even better!