Egypt Coffee Festival Vol. 2 Brought Cairo’s Coffee Crowd Together

What happens when you bring Egypt’s coffee lovers, roasters and baristas under one roof? Two days of coffee-fuelled competitions, workshops, tastings and enough caffeine to keep the conversation going. That was the idea behind the second edition of Egypt Coffee Festival, which wrapped up at Kamelizer Spaces in District 5 on October 16th and 17th.

Organised by Kamelizer Spaces, this year’s festival took its theme, Common Grounds, quite literally, creating a meeting point for the people shaping Egypt’s growing specialty coffee scene. From established roasters and coffee brands to home-brewing enthusiasts and curious newcomers, the two-day event brought together different sides of the industry, with plenty to do beyond ordering another cup.

Across six themed areas, visitors could explore coffee culture from several angles, whether that meant discovering new roasters, getting hands-on with brewing techniques or watching competitors put their skills to the test. The Roaster Village featured names including Mestila, La Cimbali and Brown Nose, giving attendees the chance to discover different brands and sample what they had brewing.

Naturally, a coffee festival would not be complete without a little friendly competition. The Home Barista Challenge saw creators and influencers go head-to-head to make the best flat white, putting their coffee-making skills to the test. Meanwhile, the Cross the Rush Challenge brought its own competitive energy, with participants racing to break the ice first for a chance to win giveaways.

For those who wanted to take their coffee obsession beyond the daily caffeine fix, workshops and masterclasses explored different aspects of coffee preparation and roasting. Tasting experiences offered another way to discover different flavours and brewing styles, while talks created space for conversations about the craft and business behind every cup. Some workshops and masterclasses required advance registration, giving participants the opportunity to get a closer look at the techniques behind specialty coffee.

With its second edition now wrapped, Egypt Coffee Festival has given the local coffee scene another opportunity to connect over the drink that brings everyone back to the table.