IIAC Japan will organize three license courses in September:

• Tokyo (09)
• Osaka (10)
• Fukuoka (11)

More information: info@coffeetasters.jp, ph. +81 3 54116191.

The International Institute of Coffee Tasters will hold a tasting license course in English on the 18th of November (one-day-course). It will take place at the Permament Training Point managed by Rancilio in Milan, very close to Malpensa International Airport (please click here for a map).

Making a perfect espresso is not a simple task. A large number of variables has to be kept under control: the coffee blend, the coffee grinder, the espresso machine and the barista’s hand of course. Every single variable will influence the final result and the judgment on the quality of the espresso in the cup is up to the taster. Learn how to distinguish good espresso from poor one and how to get a precise sensory profile of the cup in front of you.

What you learn

• espresso tasting: aims, enviromental and psychological conditions of tasting
• the judgment of the sense organs: the aspect, the aromatic profile, the taste
• the tasting card: what it is and how to use it
• the geography of coffee production and of its consumption, the coffee growing, the coffee manufacture, the roasting and its chemical and organoleptical transformations, packaging methods and their influence on the conservation of aromas, the blend and its influence on the final cup
• the coffee grinder and the espresso machine: different types, how to choose the machinery, how to use it to get always a perfect espresso, the ordinary maintenance

Training tasting sessions
You will taste and judge different espressos based on differet blends and prepared in different ways. Some of the preparations are faulty so that you learn to distinguish top-quality espresso from defective one.

Get the license!
At the end of the training class you can take the final examination to get the tasting license.

Information
–    about pricing and applying: please contact the International Institute of Coffee Tasters (novembercourse@coffeetasters.org)
–    about transportation & accomodation: you can enjoy special conditions for the transportation & the hotel, please contact Mr Renato Bossi at Rancilio (rbossi@rancilio.it)
 

Starbucks today announced a strategic licensing partnership to open more than 150 Starbucks stores in prime travel channels in key European markets within the next three years. The agreement details wide-ranging co-operation across the European travel market, covering both airport and railway station locations. Starbucks will give SSP licensing rights to the Starbucks brand in a number of significant markets that in some segments are exclusive, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom.  (Carlo Odello)