Coffee laboratory intends to inform, educate drinkers

CEBU, Philippines - Premium coffee products provider Conlins Coffee Company opened the first coffee laboratory in the Philippines, at the Ayala Center Cebu.

Conlins Coffee Company headed by certified coffee Q grader Erik Lim believes that the Philippine market for coffee in general still has expansive potential for growth, as Filipinos are starting to appreciate coffee.

Lim was in Cebu Wednesday to open the Coffee Laboratory, located inside the Italian designer homeware brand store Allessi, at the new wing of Ayala Center.

While the Philippines produces good coffee beans, Lim said there is a need for the country to appreciate the science of coffee drinking, even from farming, roasting, brewing and ultimately sipping.

The Coffee Laboratory will start off the company's advocacy in appreciating coffee, its wellness effect, as well as economic impact to farmers.

 Creating an educated market for this coffee shop-exposed generation is vital for the Philippines to develop its own pool of specialty coffee brands, which is currently widely served only by the "big bucks" brands.

 "Education is very important, We produce coffee, we need to appreciate what we have," said Lim indicating that coffee growing opportunities is not being maximized due to an un-informed market, ill-equipped farmers, among other concerns.

 The Philippines used to be the third largest exporter of coffee in the world in the 1960s. Today, the country is importing over half of its coffee requirement.

  Developing a mature coffee drinking market could push homegrown specialty coffee brands to sprout, at the same time encouraging farmers to increase coffee plantations.

 The Philippine-grown Arabica is one of the best varieties around the world. Lim believes that this is one of the niches the country should exploit.

There are at least four Filipino certified coffee connoisseurs in the Philippines, including Lim. Establishing the Coffee Lab would make way for informed and educated coffee drinkers in the Philippines, leading to the development of specialty coffee shops.

 Conlins Coffee Company is a full-service coffee company that offers roasted coffee, and customized blends with use of beans sourced from all over the world. Aside from their coffee line, the company is also the exclusive retailer of world-class coffee equipment in the country.  (FREEMAN)