Specialty Coffee Association of America

Later this month in Atlanta, Georgia, the great and the good of the specialty coffee world (i.e. the quality end of the coffee market) will meet for the largest coffee convention of its kind in the world.

Hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association of America from 16th to 19th April 2009, the Symposium plays host to the finals of the World Barista Championships -- essentially the World Cup of coffee. Representing the U.K will be Gwilym Davies whose coffee cart on Whitecross Street near the Barbican in London is increasingly swarmed by devotees. Gwilym serves the same quality coffee from Square Mile Coffee that I source my own from -- it's seriously good stuff.

Representatives from all the major coffee producing countries, their unions, the Rainforest Alliance, FairTrade, not to mention the cafes, bars and restaurant which pour your coffee will be there. Not least among them, Stephen Leighton of HasBean.co.uk-- a leading importer and online retailer of coffee and equipment I'm hoping to catch up with. They'll all be discussing the latest production methods, equipment, politics and policies.

I'll be there soaking it all up and seeing what's going on -- I'll report anything and everything when I get back.