Since New Zealand pioneered the flat white in the 1990s, our coffee industry has gone from strength to strength. Kiwis now top our Australian and UK cousins in annual coffee consumption. Karen Clarkson talks to Rachelle Duffy, from Little Big Events, who is organising Tauranga's first dedicated coffee festival
"Coffee has become more than just a morning ritual - it's become a multi-million dollar industry around the world and New Zealanders now consume an average of 3.7 kilograms of coffee beans per person annually," says Rachelle Duffy, director of the inaugural Tauranga Coffee Festival that has just been announced,taking place this July.
The Tauranga Coffee Festival will honour our vibrant New Zealand coffee scene and community by featuring a wide range of artisan coffee brands, home barista workshops, an all-day Espresso Martini bar plus a gourmet street food lane serving eats inspired by the humble bean.
Rachelle, from Little Big Events, says Tauranga's recent population growth has seen an increase in high-quality cafes bursting onto the local scene, making Tauranga the perfect city to host a dedicated coffee festival.
"We're really excited to be showcasing some of the Bay of Plenty's best coffee experts.
Some of our region's best cafes and coffee roasters will be representing our local industry, including stalwarts of the Tauranga coffee scene Excelso Coffee Roasters, award-winning Elizabeth Cafe and Larder, plus Luca, Henry & Ted, Love Rosie Bakery and The Dry Dock Cafe among others," she says.
Kicking off at 10am, Saturday, July 29, local coffee brands will be serving up their finest artisan coffee with free tastings throughout the day. Visitors can expect to try new blends and styles from boutique roasters including Mount Maunganui roaster Little Drum, plus learn the latest tips from experts on how to perfect your brew at home.
"We are also bringing together some of New Zealand's best industry professionals to share their experience and expertise, including Allpress Espresso, who now sell their coffee in over 1000 independent cafes around the world, and local roaster Excelso, who have been roasting coffee beans in the Bay of Plenty since the early 1990s, who will be running workshops throughout the day," says Rachelle.
Little Drum Coffee. Photo/Richard Robinson Photography
For those foodies keen to try some one-off eats inspired by the humble bean, there will be a dedicated street food lane, where you can try a limited edition coffee-infused beer created by award-winning Bay of Plenty brewery Mount Brewing Co, in collaboration with Flight Coffee. Plus The Milk Bar - the popular Mount Maunganui icecream truck - is creating a special coffee-infused icecream, and Vegan pop-corn gurus Organic Knowledge will be serving organic coffee-infused popcorn.
"We are also inviting local baristas to enter Tauranga Coffee Festival's Barista of the Year competition, where in the weeks prior to the event, baristas will be secretly judged on taste and technical expertise, before finalists will go head to head on the day in a live competition. Plus home barista enthusiasts can try their hand at creating their own milky masterpiece in a fun latte art competition with loads of awesome prizes," says Rachelle.
Sponge Drop Cafe. Photo/Richard Robinson Photography
For those who aren't the most dedicated coffee addicts, there will still be loads of pop-up entertainment to enjoy.
Architect and street artist Matt Liggins will be making a special appearance at the festival exhibiting The Real Pyramid Schemer, a live art installation in collaboration with Georgia Taylor from Coffee Cup Poetry.
Festival-goers are also encouraged to bring along their children as there will be a bustling kids' area with face painting, bouncy castles and festival-themed colouring in. People can also design their own coffee keepsake, which is screenprinted live in front of you, or purchase one-off artworks hand-painted with splashes of coffee.
"Herbal Potential will be hosting a pop-up Tea Bar serving a range of artisan teas and to set the festival mood there will be live music throughout the day from Wellington-based New Orleans-style brass band Richter City Rebels. If you're a cafe, barista, discerning coffee lover, or just love a fun festival atmosphere, you won't want to miss this new event," says Rachelle.
Tickets are on sale for $15 per person with a limited number of early-bird tickets receiving a ceramic festival cup.
Henry and Ted Cafe. Photo/Richard Robinson Photography
The details: What: Tauranga Coffee Festival Where: Tauranga When: Saturday, July 29, 10am-6pm Tickets: Adults $15, children 12 and under free. Early-bird available at www.eventfinda.co.nz/2017/tauranga-coffee-festival/mt-maunganui. All early-bird tickets receive a free festival coffee mug designed by George & Co.
Learn more: To enter the Barista of the Year competition, email rachelle@littlebigevents.co.nz. Keep up to date at the Tauranga Coffee Festival Facebook page.
Highlights: *Free tastings from New Zealand's best coffee brands. *Espresso Martini bar. *Gourmet street food. *Workshops hosted by coffee experts and producers. ¦Live music from Wellington-based, New Orleans-style brass band Richter City Rebels.
