KUCHING, March 22: Participants of the inaugural Borneo Coffee Symposium, which will be held at The Old Court House here from April 6 to 7, will have a chance to pick the brains of several industry experts.
Among the coffee industry heavyweights scheduled to be here is Dr Steffen Schwarz, founder of the Coffee Consulate, Germany. His keynote address is entitled `Current Global Challenges to Coffee Cultivation’.
Then there is Taiwan’s Fang Cheng Lun (receiver of Special Award in the Taiwan Specialty Coffee Evaluation in 2007), Lin Che-Hao (founder of Taiwan Coffee Laboratory) and Sarawak’s very own Dr Kenny Lee (Kaldi Award Winner for Green Coffee Findings (Stuttgart, Germany)). Lee is also the co-founder of Earthlings Coffee Workshop.
Borneo Coffee Symposium aims to bring together top-class baristas, local artisan roasters, independent speciality cafes, coffee bean suppliers, coffee trade industry players as well as aspiring coffee aficionados.
In a statement, the organiser said the event was dedicated to converging coffee experts from around the world, from renowned coffee scientists, experienced coffee farmers and estate owners and also researchers to Kuching.
“This symposium aims to be a knowledge exchange catalyst and to promote the limitless potential of Sarawak’s homegrown coffee — Liberica.
“Tackling present-day issues such as the cultivation of sustainable high-quality lowland coffees that come in various species and varieties will be the key to unlocking Sarawak’s coffee industry’s potential,” it said.
In addition, the statement shared that Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas had also pledged his Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development (MANRED)’s commitment to support further Research and Development (R&D) for the state and is committed to linking smallholders to buyers.
“On a global scale, coffee is one of the most sought-after commodities, and Sarawak has what it takes to become a leading producer in this region. The local coffee industry will be met with strong support from the government, and we would explore more avenues to expand its potential.
“This symposium sets new precedence as the sessions taking place marks a new era for the industry in Sarawak,” it stated
A highlight of the event include the world’s first Sarawak Liberica International Roasting Competition, which will be held concurrently with the symposium, and the cupping (coffee tasting) session will be open to the public.
Endorsed by MANRED and supported by Sarawak Convention Bureau, the Borneo Coffee Symposium is organised by Earthlings Coffee Workshop and the Malaysia Coffeeology Collective.
This is a non-profit event and wholly supported by the community such as Brooke Museums, Batik Boutique Hotel, Old Courthouse, Singgahsana Lodge, Marian Boutique Lodging House, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak and the Department of Agriculture Sarawak.
Tickets for the symposium can be purchased via https://earthlings-coffee.com/borneo-coffee-symposium. For more information, contact Earthlings Coffee Workshop on 011-1003 1208. — DayakDaily
