Int’l Coffee Festival Returning for Year Two

Internationally speaking, the Iranian coffee community has fallen on hard luck. When the Specialty Coffee Associations of America and Europe joined forces under the singular SCA banner, the global group was organized under the laws of California as a mutual benefit corporation.

This means the now unified international association is subject to all applicable United States sanctions, including those currently in place against the Islamic Republic of Iran, reads an article published in the American coffee blog Sprudge. Excerpts follow:

This has had the unintended result of isolating the burgeoning Iranian specialty coffee community from the rest of the coffee world. We have heard stories about trainers in Iran as well as barista certification attendees losing access (and registration fees) mid-session.

And with new sanctions being reimposed this week by the US administration, relations between the two countries grow icier.

But locally, the Iranian coffee scene remains as vibrant as ever. For proof, look no further than the second annual Iran International Coffee Festival, which is scheduled for August 19-22 in Tehran.

After a wildly successful inaugural event last year, the Second Iran Coffee Festival is shaping up to be bigger and better in year two.

Taking place at Goftogou Park, this year’s event is certainly keeping with the international moniker. Asli Yaman (Turkey), Davide Cobelli (Italy), Stavros Lamprinidis (Greece) and Ecaterina Szasz and 2016 World Roasting Champion Alexandra Niculae (Romania) will all be in attendance to help judge the many coffee competitions, including cold brew and barista battles.

Also in attendance will be coffee brands from around the world. Expect to see companies like Giesen, Kees van der Westen, Toper, Wega and many more on the showroom floor.