There’s no question that the UAE’s coffee scene is thriving. With over 22,000 specialty coffee shops offering every kind of brew, Dubai has fast become a hub for coffee lovers. Hospitality News Middle East spoke with four experts at The Talks, part of Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Dubai, to discover trends, market challenges and what’s being done to support the sector.
The world coffee market is booming. Victor Delpierre, gastronomy consultant and barista and mixologist world champion, believes that people are more educated about coffee these days and appreciate quality. “Coffee has become a way of life, and people are consuming it differently because there is greater understanding and respect for the industry,” he said.
Specialty coffee in the UAE
Khalid Al Molla, chairman of SCA UAE and CEO of Dubai Coffee Museum, stated that the specialty coffee market in the Middle East has advanced significantly. “Specialty coffee is not new in the region, especially in the UAE,” he said. Although people once saw Melbourne, Australia, as the specialty coffee capital, the UAE has quickly become a hub and pioneer in this sector.
Indeed, the experts agree that the moment people shift to specialty coffee, there’s no going back. Al Molla added: “Nestle, Starbucks, Lavazza and Costa have invested huge sums in specialty coffee, establishing dedicated divisions.”
Significant trends in the UAE
Besides the demand for specialty coffee, Delpierre mentioned that the relationship between coffee and gastronomy is getting stronger.
He explained, “These days, people use coffee differently than in the past. A new energy has infused the culinary world, particularly regarding coffee.”
Indeed, chefs are working more closely with baristas,” he said.
Garfield Kerr, CEO of Mokha 1450, believes that luxury specialty coffee is another interesting trend, particularly in the UAE. “Here, you can find all kinds of brewing methods. In fact, the V60 was pioneered in Dubai,” he said. According to Kerr, Dubai is extremely advanced in coffee, and many baristas are trained in luxury specialty coffee. “Coffee is graded from 1-100 coffee. Anything above 80 is considered specialty, and over 90 is viewed as a cup of excellence. The UAE is one of few places in the world where you can go into a coffee shop and order a cup of excellence. Consumers expect something more sophisticated,” he added.
Nana Sechere, owner of Host Masters, believes that specialty coffee is bringing something exciting to mixology. “We are seeing great passion in this field and mixologists are working with baristas to become more creative and excite the palate with interesting flavor profiles,” he said.
Challenges facing the industry
Climate change is having a severe impact on the coffee industry. With reduced yields and poorer quality harvests, the price of coffee is increasing. Al Molla stated that the SCA works with thousands of coffee stakeholders to support activities to make it more sustainable and equitable for the whole value chain. It also facilitates direct links with producers to ensure they benefit financially.
In terms of the Dubai market, Kerr, who owns a luxury specialty coffee brand, said that the market is very competitive and saturated. “Dubai has 26,000 coffee shops, and that number does not include police stations, flower shops and other places where you can purchase specialty coffee. He stated, “Consumers have so many choices, and brands often struggle to create concepts without them being copied.”
Kerr added that the UAE recognized Mokha 1450 as its first luxury coffee brand. “At World of Coffee last year, we introduced a crystal-clear coffee in partnership with Simonelli. The notes were so delicate, and it was a difficult endeavor. However, we succeeded and offered an experience unlike anything else,” he said.
Indeed, coffee brands in Dubai must constantly innovate and offer something new to the market if they are to survive fierce competition. The market is also unique, with 6-10 pm being the busiest periods for most coffee shops, unlike the rest of the world.
Besides market saturation, Sechere stated that education among professionals remains. “We need to innovate together. There’s a large mountain of knowledge, so bridging the gap is important: ensuring mixologists understand how to work with coffee,” he said.
Support for the coffee industry in the UAE
The UAE government has introduced numerous incentives to support growth in the coffee industry. There been direct investment in DMCC Coffee Centre, a non-profit and Dubai government body that aims to improve coffee quality by supporting the whole value chain.
The government is actively encouraging trade fairs and supporting startups seeking international exposure.
Remarkably, the renowned World of Coffee was launched in Dubai during Expo 2020. Al Molla stated that it will be taking place annually and is confirmed until 2027. “The world-famous event is set for January/February, right after the harvest. It is an excellent way to promote the industry, provide a platform for new brands and showcase the strength of the local industry. Every year, we will be adding more features to ensure our visitors always have something new to look forward to,” he concluded.
Coffee Talks: What’s brewing in the UAE’s coffee scene?
There’s no question that the UAE’s coffee scene is thriving. With over 22,000 specialty coffee shops offering every kind of brew, Dubai has fast become a hub for coffee lovers. Hospitality News Middle East spoke with four experts at The Talks, part of Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Dubai, to discover trends, market challenges and what’s being done to support the sector.
The world coffee market is booming. Victor Delpierre, gastronomy consultant and barista and mixologist world champion, believes that people are more educated about coffee these days and appreciate quality. “Coffee has become a way of life, and people are consuming it differently because there is greater understanding and respect for the industry,” he said.
Specialty coffee in the UAE
Indeed, the experts agree that the moment people shift to specialty coffee, there’s no going back. Al Molla added: “Nestle, Starbucks, Lavazza and Costa have invested huge sums in specialty coffee, establishing dedicated divisions.”
Significant trends in the UAE
Besides the demand for specialty coffee, Delpierre mentioned that the relationship between coffee and gastronomy is getting stronger.
He explained, “These days, people use coffee differently than in the past. A new energy has infused the culinary world, particularly regarding coffee.”
Indeed, chefs are working more closely with baristas,” he said.
Garfield Kerr, CEO of Mokha 1450, believes that luxury specialty coffee is another interesting trend, particularly in the UAE. “Here, you can find all kinds of brewing methods. In fact, the V60 was pioneered in Dubai,” he said. According to Kerr, Dubai is extremely advanced in coffee, and many baristas are trained in luxury specialty coffee. “Coffee is graded from 1-100 coffee. Anything above 80 is considered specialty, and over 90 is viewed as a cup of excellence. The UAE is one of few places in the world where you can go into a coffee shop and order a cup of excellence. Consumers expect something more sophisticated,” he added.
Nana Sechere, owner of Host Masters, believes that specialty coffee is bringing something exciting to mixology. “We are seeing great passion in this field and mixologists are working with baristas to become more creative and excite the palate with interesting flavor profiles,” he said.
Challenges facing the industry
Climate change is having a severe impact on the coffee industry. With reduced yields and poorer quality harvests, the price of coffee is increasing. Al Molla stated that the SCA works with thousands of coffee stakeholders to support activities to make it more sustainable and equitable for the whole value chain. It also facilitates direct links with producers to ensure they benefit financially.
In terms of the Dubai market, Kerr, who owns a luxury specialty coffee brand, said that the market is very competitive and saturated. “Dubai has 26,000 coffee shops, and that number does not include police stations, flower shops and other places where you can purchase specialty coffee. He stated, “Consumers have so many choices, and brands often struggle to create concepts without them being copied.”
Indeed, coffee brands in Dubai must constantly innovate and offer something new to the market if they are to survive fierce competition. The market is also unique, with 6-10 pm being the busiest periods for most coffee shops, unlike the rest of the world.
Besides market saturation, Sechere stated that education among professionals remains. “We need to innovate together. There’s a large mountain of knowledge, so bridging the gap is important: ensuring mixologists understand how to work with coffee,” he said.
Support for the coffee industry in the UAE
The UAE government has introduced numerous incentives to support growth in the coffee industry. There been direct investment in DMCC Coffee Centre, a non-profit and Dubai government body that aims to improve coffee quality by supporting the whole value chain.
Remarkably, the renowned World of Coffee was launched in Dubai during Expo 2020. Al Molla stated that it will be taking place annually and is confirmed until 2027. “The world-famous event is set for January/February, right after the harvest. It is an excellent way to promote the industry, provide a platform for new brands and showcase the strength of the local industry. Every year, we will be adding more features to ensure our visitors always have something new to look forward to,” he concluded.
Insights from The Talks, organized by Hospitality News Middle East, at Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Dubai. Session moderated by Lisa Jerejian.
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