DUBAI, UAE – To mark the recent International Coffee Day, Emirates released some interesting data on coffee consumption on its flights. The Dubai-based airline, one of the two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates, serves more than 130,000 kilograms of coffee onboard every year, and even commissions its own signature blend of Arabic Coffee in collaboration with artisan local producer, Mattina.
Mattina’s Arabic Coffee blend for Emirates uses the finest quality Arabica beans, complemented by natural cardamom and saffron, in line with the traditional recipes passed down through generations and replicating the ceremonial coffee experience that has been central to Arabian hospitality for centuries.
The blend features Arabica beans from the Cerrado de Minas region of Brazil, known for their smooth, mild, and aromatic character. These beans are lightly roasted to create the light brownish colour that is characteristic of the Arabic Emirati Qahwa.
The Emirates Arabic Coffee is blended with cardamom from the highlands of Guatemala famous for its rich and intense flavours, a spice that gives Qahwa its distinctive, aromatic taste, while also featuring subtle hints of world’s finest saffron, adding to the authenticity of the Qahwa tradition. Emirates signature blend of Arabic coffee is served inflight to First Class customers globally and is also available to order in the First and Business Class Lounges.
Across the Emirates network, a myriad of coffee types and producers are offered to customers inflight including Lavazza, Coffee Planet, the Nairobi Coffee and Tea Company, and a host of independent suppliers globally.
As part of the meal service, Economy and Premium Economy customers are offered coffee once or twice during their flight, while Business and First Class customers can order from a Lavazza Italian coffee menu on demand, including options like decaffeinated coffee, cappuccino, iced Americano, espresso, macchiato and affogato al café. Emirates also works with Coffee Planet to create bespoke drinks for special occasions like Christmas and Valentine’s Day, such as the rose-kissed mocha or orange crush latte.
Lounges for Coffee Connoisseurs: 40,000 kilograms of coffee served by Emirates each year
The 5.1 million customers that relax in the 7 luxurious Emirates Lounges in Dubai each year consume an average of 26,000 kilograms of coffee beans. In the First Class lounge in Concourse B, Dubai International Airport, Emirates has a dedicated coffee counter where customers can choose between a variety of three single blend origin coffees freshly prepared by a barista. Each coffee presents a variety of aromas, acidity and bitterness and the Emirates team have been specially trained to suggest the best coffee for the customer’s preferences.
The selection changes every three months so that regular travellers can sample beans from all around the world. For example, Colombia Huila Buenavista is juicy and silky bodied coffee with a sweet cacao nib like finish and floral notes as well as hints of apricot, grapes, blackberry and grapefruit. Burundi Nyagishiru has a mild fruity aroma, a smooth finish of milk chocolate, brown spice, caramel and stone fruit, with a tart acidity and velvety texture. Brazil Sao Vale Do Sol is a medium bodied coffee with a mild fruity aroma, citrus acidity, aromas and notes of grapefruit, vanilla, almond, chocolate with clean finish. The First and Business Class Lounges also feature Costa Coffee, an Emirates Leisure Retail company, where a wide range of coffees and complementary food are served.
In the 34 Emirates Lounges in cities across the world, 2.1 million customers access the luxury lounges each year with an annual consumption of 14,000 kilograms of coffee beans.
Curated Coffee Training for Emirates Cabin Crew
Emirates Cabin Crew receive specialised coffee training, where they learn about the origins of coffee, different blends and how to make the perfect cup for every customer. In practical training sessions, cabin crew learn how to serve and present each coffee type and are assessed on the preparation and delivery of Emirates signature Arabic coffee. First Class passengers can enjoy their coffee in a choice of Royal Doulton fine bone mug or cup, and Business Class passengers in the fine bone china mug. The quality of the water used to make the coffee is also considered and regularly monitored, and Emirates ensures that the water tanks, equipment used for transportation and supply lines provide perfectly potable water, through regular disinfection, maintenance, and audits.
