My 10th London Coffee Festival

Anyone who knows me is probably fed up of me pointing out the fact that I’ve just been lucky enough to enjoy a two-month career break. But it was with so much pleasure that I spent one of these precious days enjoying the wonders of the London Coffee Festival.

For those who haven’t been, LCF is an annual event which celebrates coffee and all the accompanying food & drink delights. The first two days are ‘industry only’ so it’s like a really extra trade show. And then the two weekend days are open to the public.

I headed along on the first day to check in with some familiar faces and scope out what innovation is being introduced for the year ahead. I’ve worked in the tea and coffee industry for a decade, so astoundingly this was my tenth year at the Festival. And I’m pleased to say it was a good’un.

I bumped into some wonderful friends and toured the caffeinated delights of the different zones and ‘villages’. I enjoyed coffees from roasters new and known, including the lovely folks at Redemption, Danelaw and Lincoln & York. I also tasted some delicious teas, the standouts being the new Kenyan single origin from the wonderful Brew Tea Co., a Vanilla Matcha Latte from Joe & the Juice and of course the hot-off-the-press tea & ginger Kombucha from Yorkshire Tea and Holos.

After much caffeine and before we headed to the pub for something stronger, I was also very excited to try the tea-flavoured, Oatmilk frozen yoghurt from the innovators at Oatly. Utterly delicious.

A big thank you to William Reed and all the hardworking exhibitors for having me. It’s a standout event with a special community feel but also the go-to place to see what’s coming up in the retail and Out of Home worlds. Now roll on next April for number 11!