London Coffee Festival returns to the Old Truman Brewery

Coffee lovers of the world rejoice; it’s that time of year again! No, it’s not Christmas. Yes, Easter is drawing near. But unless you’re observing Lent and made a vow not to drink coffee until your fast is over, it’s time for your five senses to dust the winter season off and break free.

Hip Brick Lane’s Old Truman Brewery is currently hosting the annual Coffee Festival – a safe haven for all coffee enthusiasts, whether they be producers, sellers, baristas or simply aficionados of the beverage. With several stalls dedicated to presenting and promoting coffee in all its forms and varieties, exhibiting machinery or showing off talent and passion, there are plenty of things to admire and many events to take part in, no matter how much of an expert you are.

On entering the venue, you are given a bag that begs to be filled up with all things coffee; a magazine that covers different subjects on the theme (who knew there were so many!) is inside for you to flick through and perhaps find some inspiration. There’s a whirlwind of booths waiting to be explored. With talks, live demonstrations, free tastings and so on, this event promises to be unmissable.

The main area boasts stands from renowned coffee shops, such as Starbucks and Costa, coffee machine makers, including Nespresso and La Marzocco, and also features a stage for DJs and bands to perform, and a lounge area where people can chill out, sipping, munching and chatting. As well as this, there are spots for other products that rose to fame in the 17^th century, aside from coffee: tea and chocolate may have a smaller exposure at a coffee-related festival but maintain their prominence.

There is space for coffee roasters, such as Union. The True Artisan Café sees baristas from all over Europe steal the show preparing quality coffees and coffee-inspired cocktails. The Lab runs a programme of workshops and debates. Not only that, there is food and an art gallery too! You name it, it’s probably going to be there. Catch it while you can.

Rita Vicinanza

London Coffee Festival is at the Old Truman Brewery from 3^rd to 6^th April 2014, for further information visit here.