Ireland and UK Introduced To Cafe Vega

Coffee drinking is become so widespread that traditionally tea-drinking countries have huge and expanding markets for coffee. World coffee consumption in 2016/2017 was reported by the International Coffee Organisation as 158,901 bags (of 60 kg each), with Europe alone using 52,070 bags of coffee during that period (http://www.ico.org/prices/new-consumption-table.pdf).

Almost twice as much Arabica beans in comparison to Robusta beans are sold on the world market and most Europeans have become accustomed to Arabica coffee or blends of Arabica with some Robusta. Few serious northern coffee drinkers have had really good Robusta coffee. Globally, the Robusta coffee genepool is conserved in ex-situ collection plots in several African countries with the Ivory Coast maintaining the largest collection of 700 wild genotypes (Genetic variation in Coffea canephora L. (Var. Robusta) accessions from the founder gene pool evaluated with ISSR and RAPD. Tshilenge, K. K. Nkongolo, M. Mehes and A. Kalonji, 2008). There are probably hundreds of Robusta hybrids resulting from natural cross pollination as well as controlled breeding programmes.

Varieties in Trinidad and Tobago

In Trinidad and Tobago we have at least 21 recorded varieties of Robusta. Visits to abandoned fields and old coffee research plots suggest that there are likely to be dozens more, based on observations of morphological differences, particularly when the trees are laden with ripe fruit. A selection of a few of the superior flavour varieties are currently used in the production of Cafe Vega coffee.

Local demand for this coffee is increasing. There are several new local, small or micro scale roasters that are promoting the our varieties of coffee. Many visitors from North America and Europe have tasted these local coffees and have been quite pleased, often requesting overseas deliveries. With this in mind, Cafe Vega had the opportunity to share the superior Robusta experience with selected coffee shops/restaurants and coffee cognoscenti in Ireland and the United Kingdom. All of these efforts help in building awareness and creating a demand for Trinidad coffee.

Karen at Burren Fine Wine and Food, Ballyvaughan Ireland

Sam at The Citizen, Glasgow Scotland

Andrew and Alex at The Cricketers, Kew England

Debby and Colin... soon to be Cafe Vega converts!