A Championship Steeped in Unity: The UAE Gathers for Its Tenth AeroPress Competition

As 252 competitors converge from all seven emirates, the UAE AeroPress Championship returns to celebrate the craftsmanship, community and shared passion that defines the region's flourishing specialty coffee culture.

There is something quietly powerful about watching people gather around a shared pursuit. From 12 to 14 November, Almas Tower in Jumeiraj Lakes Towers will host precisely such a gathering, as the tenth edition of the UAE AeroPress Championship brings together competitors from across the seven emirates for one of the region’s most distinguished specialty coffee events.

The three-day competition, organised by Dubai-based specialty coffee company Mokha 1450 in conjunction with the World AeroPress Championships, has chosen the theme “United and Strong” for this milestone year, a reflection of coffee’s capacity to bind people, cultures and communities together. With applications far exceeding available places, the enthusiasm surrounding the event speaks volumes about the depth of the UAE’s coffee culture and the calibre of talent it nurtures.

The championship structure brings a methodical elegance to proceedings. The first regional round on 12 November will see 144 competitors from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain test their craft, with the second round on 13 November hosting 108 competitors from Dubai, Ajman and Fujairah. Each emirate will send 36 representatives, with the top three from each advancing to the national final on 14 November. Twenty-one finalists will then compete for the UAE championship title and the distinction of representing the nation at the World AeroPress Championship in Mexico City on 6 December.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, has framed the championship as central to the UAE’s ambitions as a coffee hub. The global coffee industry represents an estimated USD 200 billion in annual value, with more than two billion cups consumed daily worldwide. Through its dedicated Coffee Centre, DMCC provides integrated services spanning processing, roasting, storage and logistics, positioning the UAE as a significant player in the internationalisation of the coffee trade.

Garfield Kerr, CEO of Mokha 1450, has described the UAE as “by my estimation, the world’s leading coffee destination,” noting that the AeroPress Championships, as the largest coffee competition globally by number of competitors, validates this position. The championship’s prominence reflects not merely competitive spirit but a shared commitment to brewing excellence and professional development across the wider industry.

The competition is free and open to the public, with proceedings commencing at 6pm each evening, making the event accessible to enthusiasts keen to observe the precision and artistry involved in specialty coffee preparation.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The tenth AeroPress Championship reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position within the UAE’s broader coffee ecosystem. As DMCC continues to strengthen the nation’s standing as a leading coffee hub, the championship celebrates the emirate’s participation in a global specialty coffee movement. With 36 Abu Dhabi competitors advancing through the regional rounds, the event underscores the emirate’s significant contribution to the UAE’s coffee culture and its role in the international trade relationships that sustain this growing sector.

The championship also reflects the UAE’s philosophy of unity and collective achievement. By convening competitors across all seven emirates under a single theme of togetherness, the event demonstrates how shared passion and pursuit of excellence can bring communities closer. For Abu Dhabi, participation in this milestone tenth edition reinforces the emirate’s commitment to cultural enrichment and its engagement with the specialised industries that define the modern UAE economy.

Source: WAM