The Coffee Collective #08: Keeping Busy
No, I didn’t take a break — life just got really busy. With back-to-back events, constant travel, and my full-time job, it’s been tough to sit down and put this newsletter together. What used to be weekly has now turned into a quarterly update. As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve started giving myself the time and space to focus on what matters most — myself and my family. Work never stops, and opportunities always come, but none of it means much if you’re not in the right headspace to truly show up.
That said, I haven’t completely disappeared. I’ve still been around — attending events, staying active in the community, and writing articles. Here are a few things you might’ve missed if you’re not following me on Instagram:
I have made a list of coffee shops in my latest article I have visited during my trips to Oman. My trips to Oman aren’t over yet, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit. Read here.
When it comes to brewing a great cup of coffee, grind consistency is everything. I was recently given the chance to review a unique grinder called the Airmill. This grinder by Coffee Chaps automatically removes fine particles and chaff from coffee grounds to enhance clarity in the final cup. Read here.
Divya and Ravi, Founders of Beachville Coffee Roasters
India’s coffee scene is buzzing, and Beachville Coffee Roasters is at the heart of it. Founded by Divya and Ravi, this Chennai-based specialty café and roastery likes to do things a little different. From their iconic Slayer to beautifully roasted single origins like Attikan and Hippla, every cup tells a story. Read here.
Sonam Sherpa, UAE Aeropress Champion
I first met Sonam when I was judging the Mattina Coffee Latte Art Battle, where he emerged as the winner. What does amaze me is the journey from that moment to his victory in the 2024 UAE Aeropress Championship. Sonam is a man of many talents. While coffee brewing might come to mind first, his true strength lies in his unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of perfection. It was a genuine pleasure to feature him on The Coffee Story, an interview series that highlights people in our vibrant coffee community, sharing their stories to inspire others. Read here.
Cafe Visits
Kurasu
Never have I seen so many people on my feed be in such anticipation for the opening of a coffee shop, until now. Straight from the heart of Kyoto, Japan, Kurasu has officially arrived in Dubai.
Born from a small online homeware shop in 2013 and now recognized globally for its beautiful washed coffee, Kurasu has grown into a name synonymous with craftsmanship, minimalism, and care.
Ethr Clubhaus
We’ve moved past the days of bare minimalism and concrete finishes. Now it’s about blending elements so effortlessly that wherever your eyes land, you pause. You admire. You feel something. Design is being pushed in bold new directions, but it also raises questions. Does it distract from the coffee? Or should design and coffee work hand-in-hand to create something unforgettable?
At Ethr Clubhaus, they do. Everything, even the food, feels like it was conceptualized alongside the interiors. Nothing feels like an afterthought. I’ve already been twice in a week. And that alone says enough. Great spaces make you want to return. To relive the feeling. Ethr does exactly that.
Kissaten Coffee House
When Kissaten Coffeehouse opened during Ramadan, the IG teasers hinted at a beautiful space. Stepping inside, it was clear that the cafe was inspired by Japanese aesthetics woven into every detail. Nino's passion for latte art, the coffee and the matcha were some of the highlights of the visit and not to mention this is a pretty sweet place to get some work done.
Events
There are a bunch of events starting this week with some of them listed:
Explore the unexplored — A cupping to remember, 12 coffees from China
Next week, step into the terroir-rich landscapes of China’s Yunnan province with Hadsel Coffee and Grandmother Roastery.
Explore 12 exceptional coffees, featuring Geishas, Pacamaras, and SL34s, with processing methods ranging from washed and honey to anaerobic naturals. A unique preview before their debut at the China Cup of Excellence this May.
🗓️ Date: Wednesday, 23rd April
⏰ Time: 3pm onwards
📍 Venue: Grandmother Roastery, Al Quoz 3 - Dubai
Multisensory Flavor Perception Course by Dr. Fabiana Carvalho
Dr. Fabiana Carvalho, a neuroscientist and founder of The Coffee Sensorium, dives into how our senses interact to shape the way we experience coffee. Drawing on her collaborations with the SCA and Oxford University’s Prof. Charles Spence, the course explores how elements like color, cups, and packaging influence flavor perception.
Participants will learn about sensory anticipation, crossmodality, and the science behind olfactory perception. The afternoon session offers hands-on exercises to develop aroma identification, mouthfeel awareness, and the ability to describe flavor notes with greater accuracy.
Organized by Cleia Junqueira (The Coffee Connoisseur Collective) and supported by Victoria Arduino and Coffee Knowledge Hub (Dubai, UAE), and CMI (Muscat, Oman).
🗓️ Date: 26th & 27th April (Dubai, UAE) and 29th & 30th April (Muscat, Oman)
⏰ Time: Full day
📍 Venue: Victoria Arduino Experience Lab (Dubai, UAE) and CMI (Muscat, Oman)
💵 Fee: $680
Nuova Simonelli Technicians Competition
The first-ever Nuova Simonelli Technicians Competition will take place on April 29th at the Nuova Simonelli Experience Lab in Al Quoz, Dubai, from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Organized in collaboration with REPA, Cafetto, SCA UAE, and BWT, the event celebrates the essential role of technicians in ensuring top-quality espresso.
Eight participants, selected through an online quiz, will go head-to-head in a single-elimination tournament, tackling real-world machine issues using the Nuova Aurelia Volumetric XT.
Each 30-minute match will test their technical skill, precision, and problem-solving under pressure. A panel of expert judges will evaluate performances based on safety, efficiency, machine knowledge, and the ability to deliver excellent coffee — shining a spotlight on the often-unsung heroes behind every great cup.
🗓️ Date: 29th April
⏰ Time: 9am - 5pm
📍 Venue: Nuova Simonelli Experience Lab
As always, thank you for reading if you have reached this far and if you haven’t subscribed to my newsletter, do sign up. It encourages me to write more and create more content. I’ll see you in the next one.
