Ahead of Host Milan 2017, a meeting took place at FieraMilano Congress Centre to establish a shared set of parameters to define high-quality espresso.
As the popularity of espresso increases globally, generating a variety of localised interpretations, the objective of setting quality parameters is to improve supply chain standards and increase consumer awareness of high-quality espresso.
The meeting was backed by HostMilano and The Fiera Milano organisation and staged by SCAE Italia, the Italian chapter of the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe.
Representatives from Comitato Italiano Caffè (CIC), Associazione dei Caffè Speciali Certificati (CSC), and Costruttori Macchine per Caffè Espresso ed Attrezzature per Bar (UCIMAC) were in attendance.
Dario Ciarlantini, SCAE Italia National Coordinator said: “Today was an important starting point because we now know that we can indeed travel this path together. We have already planned follow-up meetings, identified targets and methods, and are involving other players in the supply chain to follow on from this initial feasibility stage.
“It will take months of diligent work between now and Host2017, but we are in no doubt that it will make a sea change in the quality of baristas’ approach to espresso and how the drink is perceived by end consumers, which is the key goal if we are to raise the bar of quality perception.”
The next step is to extend the consultation process with contributions from experts, tasters, roasters, engineers and baristas in the espresso world, bringing scientific criteria, experiences and special skills to the table.
The final stage of the process is scheduled for Host2017, to take place at FieraMilano on 20 – 24 October 2017, during which the results of the process will be announced.
