Applications to enter the 2017 Australian International Coffee Awards (AICA) are now open, and will close 24 February 2017.
The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) will host the international coffee roasting competition that honours Australian and international roasting efforts in the categories of espresso, milk-based, filter, cold brew, and direct trade or microlot coffees. A Champion Australian and Champion International Roaster will still be awarded.
In response to industry trends, innovation and consumer interests, a new immersion coffee class will replace the previous plunger and siphon classes.
The Clever Coffee Dripper will also be utilised to brew immersion coffee entries, with industry feedback indicating the method allows for clean and consistent brewing. The awards will also see a change in the brewing specification for espresso coffee.
The RASV has announced that Melissa Caia will be Head Judge of the AICA in 2017. Melissa is a World Barista Championship sensory judge and Manager of The Coffee Academy who will guide the expert judging panel in her new position.
In keeping with the high quality of brewing throughout the competition, 2015 ASCA Queensland Barista Champion and Technical Operatons Manager of Pullman Espresso accessories, Adam Metelmann, has been appointed Head Barista for the 2017 competition, leading a team of specially selected professionals.
Entries for the prestigious awards will remain open until 24 February 2017.
Samples must be delivered between 6 – 7 March 2017, with judging to commence between 8 – 10 March 2017.
The annual championship will take place for the fifth year in 2017. The awards are a great way to benchmark your products against industry standards, receive feedback from independent industry experts, market your coffee with a seal of quality, and promote coffees through associated events of the RASV.
In 2016, AICA received 658 entries from 143 local and international coffee roasters, including coffees from New Zealand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, Canada, the United States and United Kingdom.
The AICA presentation evening and combined MICE2017 launch will take place on 29 March 2017. To purchase tickets to the event, click here.
For more information and to complete the online registration visit www.rasv.com.au/coffee