Colombo Coffee Company promotes ‘Coffee Culture’ at Hotel Show and National Barista Championship 2017

Coffee was once a thriving cultivation in Ceylon. The British began large scale commercial production and by 1860, the country was amongst the major coffee-producing nations in the world. Decades later “coffee” is being revived and at the forefront of is the Colombo Coffee Company. Sri Lanka’s premier total coffee solution provider the Colombo Coffee Company (CCC) holds the franchise for Italy’s favourite Lavazza Coffee and recently was the “Official Coffee Partner” for the 12^th Hotel Show 2017 which was held at BMICH from the 30^th June – 2^nd July. The Hotel Show is one of the largest gatherings of the hospitality sector in South Asia and draws many buyers from hotels, restaurants and cafes in the region. It also serves as a platform for suppliers to display the latest and best of their products and services. CCC, the preferred coffee partner for the best known hotels in Colombo also introduced a 100% locally produced coffee brand at the event. “Toscana Ceylon” is roasted to an Italian recipe and strives to give “Sri Lankan Coffee” a new identity. This venture supports more than 50 families directly involved in coffee cultivation, and hundreds of others involved indirectly. It also strives to empower women entrepreneurs and educate children in these plantations to uplift their living standards. Speaking at their colourful stall at the Hotel Show General Manager of the Colombo Coffee Company Lien Keerthisinghe noted, “The Colombo Coffee Company is proud to be at the forefront of reviving the coffee industry in Sri Lanka. As the complete coffee solutions provider for the hospitality industry, we are striving to also extend a brand new coffee culture to the nation. Toscana Ceylon is our first project that gives a lease of life to the local farmers while our partnership with the Hotel Show and National Barista Championship shows our commitment to uplifting an entire industry.” Speaking further on the exponential growth of the brand Keerthisinghe added, “As the authorized agent for world-class Lavazza coffee in Sri Lanka CCC has held a strong position in the market for the last 7 years. With recent rebranding we have also expanded into many new areas and introduced products that truly makes us the coffee specialist in Sri Lanka” The coffee specialist in Sri Lanka partnered with the Hotel Show for the fourth consecutive year  as the “Official Coffee Solutions Partner”. The stall promoting complete coffee solutions drew enthusiastic crowds from the hotel industry and households alike. Coupled with a coffee knowledge centre that enlightened visitors on the benefits of coffee and the products that make it easier to enjoy your favourite drink, the Colombo Coffee Company also displayed some of their latest wares. Among the key highlights showcased at the Hotel Show, in addition to world famous Lavazza coffee were leading machine brands such as La Cimballi, Nuova Simonelli, WMF and Gaggia etc. Not limiting themselves to coffee alone, some of the new products also included freshly brewed bulk iced-tea for a refreshing break to Sri Lanka’s wavering heat and an Italian Gelato machine that makes home-made ice cream a breeze. Colombo Coffee Company was also the official sponsor of this year’s National Barista Championship that was held in conjunction with the Hotel Show. Six world-class Baristas chosen from the cafes, hotels and restaurants in Sri Lanka for their skill and expertise, used Colombo Coffee Company’s high quality coffee and machines to show-off their skills. To ensure that World Barista Championship standards were adhered to, Colombo Coffee Company also flew down internationally acclaimed coffee connoisseurs to judge the competition. Free training and free coffee was also provided to the participants. Thuwan Surajdeen from the Barista coffee-house chain brewed his way to victory and received a Gaggia professional espresso machine worth 100,000 rupees from the Colombo Coffee Company. He will now be prepped and prepared for the Asian Barista Championship to be held in Singapore later this year. Photo caption: (Above) The Colombo Coffee Company Stall at Hotel Show 2017