INTRODUCING THE BATTLE OF THE BEANS
Coffee is one of world’s most widely consumed beverages. In 2020/2021, around 167 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee were consumed worldwide – and KwaZulu-Natal is no different when it comes to stirring up a love for the best of brews.
KZN's Good Coffee
In this province, coffee shops are the cornerstone of the hospitality industry, offering spaces where you can linger over a freshly brewed espresso or a creamy cappuccino whilst chatting with colleagues. But they offer even more – a place for that caffeine wake-up kick on the way to the office where you can order your thoughts for the day, a second home for you and your laptop or even the ideal stop off point to chat with clients and friends.
As the saying goes: “Behind every successful person is a substantial amount of coffee." That’s why many a business deal has been sealed with the aroma of coffee.
When thinking about coffee shops, we became aware of the importance of affordable community spaces. While many restaurants did not survive Covid, most coffee shops did simply because coffee entrepreneurs have the passion to conquer the daily grind! They kept the industry and the spirit of cafe society alive and well, providing spaces for everyone to meet, make friends, work and enjoy a bean brew.
Start the battle
So, what better way to acknowledge the role coffee shops played, and still play, in both personal and community lives than to host a competition to judge the ethos of our coffee shops and the excellence of the coffee served?
More importantly, what better way to nurture the love of coffee than by rewarding those who have perfected the art of coffee making and inspiring coffee lovers from far and wide to visit them?
The Battle of the Beans kicked off on May 1. Join our judges as they do their rounds and decide which coffee shop should win the accolade of being the province’s top coffee shop, who should be chosen as our best barista and who delivers the best espresso and cappuccino.
You can also visit our Facebook and Instagram pages to nominate your most loved coffee shop!
