The International Coffee Week (SIC) is one of the most important events in Brazil about specialty coffee, more than a fair; it’s a gathering of all the passionate people and professionals in the coffee production chain. The event, in its 2024 edition, once again brought innovation, touching stories, and valuable lessons.
We couldn’t miss telling you about how the Consciencia Cafe experience at SIC 2024 went.
For that, we brought the insights of our barista, Nickolas Beraldo, who shared memorable moments from his visit to this event in Minas Gerais.
See more below!
What you need to know about the SIC
The SIC is one of the largest Brazilian events dedicated to coffee, held in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.
More than a business fair, the SIC promotes meetings between producers, baristas, entrepreneurs and consumers to exchange knowledge, network, and experience unique moments in the coffee universe.
The event always brings a diverse program that includes talks, workshops, competitions, and guided tastings.
Among the competitions, the Coffee of the Year Award stands out, highlighting the best beans produced in Brazil. As well as the Barista Championship, which opens space for great talents.
How did the International Coffee Week start?
The SIC began in 2013, as part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the International Coffee Organization (ICO).
Since then, it has become a landmark in the coffee calendar, gathering professionals and enthusiasts and forming one of the largest world events in the sector.
Furthermore, it became a reflection of the strength of Brazilian agribusiness, uniting tradition, technology, and innovation in one place.
Consciencia Cafe at SIC 2024: what we thought
Being present at SIC 2024 was an enriching experience for Consciencia Cafe, as it is part of our mission to always be attentive to market news.
Our barista and partner, Nickolas Beraldo, participated in the event for the first time and shared his impressions.
Barista Championship
“What I liked most about the event was the barista championship, an experience I had never lived; it was incredible.”
During the championship, each barista makes 3 beverage presentations: a signature drink from the competitor, an espresso, and an espresso with milk.
The presentations revolve around a theme, usually presenting the story of that coffee.
“The champion was Emerson Nascimento, he was the one who moved me the most. He kept adding sugar to the drink and explained that sugar is like the elixir of life. The plant transforms sugar into energy to live. That caught my attention.”
Technology and Innovation
Besides the competitions, Nickolas was impressed with the innovations presented at the fair, such as a revolutionary machine that uses cameras to sort bean by bean.
The technology amazes by eliminating everything that is not a coffee bean, and even more, it allows farms to deliver bags of coffee with exceptional quality.
Another strong point is that it was possible to perceive, among the exhibitors, the pursuit of sustainability in coffee production.
Highlight theme of the event
According to Nickolas, the central message of the 2024 edition was about women in Coffee.
Right at the entrance of the event, there were exhibitions and some informational materials that told the trajectory of women in the world of coffee, from slavery to today’s female farm owners.
One example is Melitta, the creator of the paper filter. This spotlight on women was notable at the event.
Greatest learning from SIC 2024
For Nickolas, the most valuable learning was not just about coffee, but also about the human connections that the bean provides:
“During the event, I saw the producers, who were elderly men and couples dressed in boots and hats. Those who prepared the drinks were young people, with ear gauges, and those who intermediated were the businessmen, in suits. I thought that was cool. The connectivity that coffee creates between people.”
Why is the SIC so important for Consciencia Cafe?
Participating in the SIC reinforces Consciencia Cafe’s commitment to quality, innovation, and connection.
Besides being an event that brings many new things from the sector, it is also a moment that gathers stories and lessons that transform our vision about coffee and its cultural and economic importance.
As Nickolas well observed, the SIC is not just about coffee; it’s about stories, connections, and the power to transform lives.
And thinking about that, our next workshop Introduction to the World of Specialty Coffees already has a date set and will be a special edition about the SIC. The event is free, in-person, and open to the public. To secure your spot, just click and sign up here!
Visit us at Consciencia Cafe. We’re ready to bring everything we experienced at SIC 2024 to you!
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Cover image: Marcus Desimoni / NITRO