Caffè Culture 2009 – a preview
Caffè Culture 2009 takes place on 20-21 May at Olympia, London, and features more than 200 exhibitors. Here's a taster of what's on show.
Andy Thornton ](http://www.andythornton.com)Stand D9
There are three ranges: the ultra-modern Mandalay, traditional Bengal or classic Southsea designs. Mandalay (pictured right) has a clinical line design and is available as a stacking chair and tablein two sizes.The Bengal incorporates a wave design and is available as a dining chair with or without arms and solid round pedestal table. The Southsea has gentle curves and includes a folding chair and teak bench.
Also on show is the Rondo side chair for cafés and bistros, withan elegant back with horizontal curved slats and simple splayed legs. Made frombeech, it is available with an upholstered seat in achoice of fabric or with a plain ply seat. The frame can be polished to any stain colour.
[Anfim UK ](http://www.anfim.co.uk)Stand F44
Since their launch in the UK last September, sales have taken off, as these on-demand grinders enable baristas to grind exactly the right amount of beans for the coffee they are making at that moment. This means there is no dispenser, and coffee is ground straight into the group holder, resulting in fresher coffee, less wastage and a consistent dosage.
There are three on-demand grinders in the range, including the Mini with a hopper capacity of 500g. The larger Caimano and Super Caimano both use an electronically controlled timer with variable programming for both single and double doses of coffee. They also have a manual push button and optional titanium blades.
[Artisan Biscuits ](http://www.artisanbiscuits.co.uk)Stand B6
The designs are inspired by two instantly recognisable and much-loved children's poems and stories - Edward Lear's The Owl and the Pussycat (vanilla) and the story of George and the Dragon (lemon curd). Each pack contains two biscuits - an owl and a cat, or a George and a very cute dragon.
The biscuits are all butter with no hydrogenated fats and made with Madagascan vanilla and hand-made English lemon curd. They also come with Soil Association Organic accreditation.
[Beyond the Bean ](http://www.beyondthebean.com)Stand E20
Besides containing locally sourced flour, butter and free-range eggs, the new cookie features pieces of real English strawberries, rich clotted cream from dairies local to the UK bakehouse and chunks of European white chocolate. The recipe has been approved by the Vegetarian Society.
[Capital Coffee Roasters ](www.capitalcoffeeroasters.co.uk)Stand F40
This means that each of the groups in a two-group machine can be moved to a different height at the push of a button to accommodate, for example, the requirements of both a take-away trade using tallcups as well as the in-house coffee customer drinking from traditional chinaware.
In addition, each group has its own boiler which is regulated by the PID temperature control system enabling the barista to achieve the sweet spot for different blends of coffee. A third boiler is dedicated to the supply of hot water and steam and with pressure at 1.5 bar, milk can be foamed rapidly and efficiently.
[Drink Me Chai](www.drinkmechai.co.uk)
Stand G5
Currently available in1kg tubs, the drinks are blends of sweetened tea, skimmed milk and exotic spices based on the centuries-old Indian drink.
[Marco Beverage Systems](http://www.marco.ie)
Stand E40
The Uber Boiler is a refined undercounter atmospheric water boiler with a stylish countertop font that incorporates a digital scale to accurately weigh ingredients, a live temperature read-out and a timer. It starts from the premise that teas and coffees should not all be brewed at the same temperature. Some green and white teas, for example, require water as cool as 70°C, while the SCAE Gold Cup calls for coffee to be made with hot water in the band of 92°C to 96°C and black tea can stand water just off the boil.
It has been developed to help baristas make their chosen beverages with hot water at a precise temperature to suit the type of tea or coffee they are using, with unprecedented accuracy(see page 38).
At the present time, the Uber Boiler is a work in progress and visitors are invited to see the new machine in operation and to give us their views on its application in the market.
By presenting the evolving design in Catex, Ireland, WBC, Atlanta and now Caffè Culture, Marco aims to ultimately launch a product which meets the needs of the café community.
[Percy Dalton's Famous Peanut Company](http://www.percydaltons.com)
Stand E12
Sales of nuts, dried fruit and seeds have risen nearly 40% over the past five years as the nation turns towards healthier and more nutritious snacks. The market is currently worth around £538m per year, according to Mintel, and is forecast to see strong growth over the next few years with additional focus on healthier and premium products.
Percy Dalton's Famous Peanut Company has developed a range of 50g single-serve packs of nuts and dried fruit snacks including products such as yogurt raisins, cashews and mixed nuts and raisins.
The company says that while nutrient-rich nuts and dried fruit will appeal to the more health-conscious consumer, more premium and chocolate or yogurt coated varieties of nuts and dried fruit can tempt a different consumer by offering something a little bit more indulgent to accompany a coffee.
[Solo Cup Europe](http://www.solocupeurope.co.uk)
Stand J12
CPLA (Crystalline PLA, which is heat-resistant to 90°C) cutlery and paper hot-cup lids combine practical heat resistance with compostability. Bare CPLA lids are available to fit 8oz or 12/16/20oz-sized Solo paper hot cups and the Bare CPLA cutlery range comprises a full-size knife, fork and spoon.
[Style Cafe ](http://www.stylecafe.co.uk)Stand B28
[Union Hand-Roasted Stand">http://www.unionroasted.com)Stand D20
Visitors will be able to pick out the attributes imparted in taste from not only the increasing altitudes but also from coffees farmed by educated and forward-thinking farmers such as Rony Asensio at Santa Ana la Huerta Farm in Guatemala.
Over the past six years, Union has worked with Asensio to radically improve the social and economic conditions for the farm and the workers who nurture the coffee. Grown at altitudes of over 5000ft, the Santa Ana crop has benefited from new washing stations and drying terraces, while the workers now have new accommodation built with the help of Union's investment in recent years.
For a full exhibitor list and to register, visit the Caffè Culture website here >>