The Specialty Coffee Expo at Fourways Mall: 6 Reasons to Go

Coffee aficionados, get ready to indulge in a caffeinated paradise at the fourth edition of The Specialty Coffee Expo, running at Fourways Mall from 24 to 26 May. This coffee festival in Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest coffee-centric event that continues to elevate the coffee experience for enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

Over the three-day event, The Specialty Coffee Expo becomes a hub of education, innovation, and sensory delight. Come and learn all there is to know about your morning cup—attend a quick cupping demo, take a tasting tour, and connect with some of the industry’s amazing players.

“This year’s expo promises to be our most exciting yet, with an unparalleled lineup of roasters, cuppings, competitions, eats and more,” says Maria Varfis at Fourways Mall. “Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or a seasoned industry professional, there’s something for everyone at The Specialty Coffee Expo. It’s a great place to learn and we can’t wait to see you!” Here’s what you can look forward to:

Things to do and see at The Specialty Coffee Expo 2024

Taste and savour the finest brews from speciality coffee roasters

Another highlight of The Specialty Coffee Expo is a series of daily cuppings hosted by top roasters and green bean suppliers. These cupping sessions offer coffee fans a unique opportunity to taste and appreciate exceptional coffees from around the globe, expertly roasted by some of South Africa’s finest talents.

The latest coffee machines and gadgets to shop

Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a newbie looking to learn how you can perfect bean-to-cup coffees at home, there’s a wide range of models to trial and demos to see at the event.

La Marzocco is pretty much the standard when it comes to premium coffee machines in South Africa. Their machines are used at some of the leading nationwide outlets such as Seattle Coffee Company and the Woolworths Café group and the more indie pioneers like SEAM Coffee, Father, Bluebird Coffee Roastery and Truth Coffee. So you know you’re in good hands.

Another label to keep an eye out for is Henlo, the first South African-made and engineered espresso machine. The @Home folks will also be there to show off a range of models from Breville, while you can shop some nifty coffee-making accessories and learn new hacks from Hario, Equipment Cafe and Latte Art Coffee.

Get to know South Africa’s best coffee roasters

This year’s event features the renowned Roasters Village where 16 exclusive speciality coffee roasters will showcase their products, services and serious skills. The lineup includes a mix of Joburg heavyweights and visiting roasters in the coffee scene such as Father Coffee, Sorcery Coffee, Origin Coffee and Seam Coffee among others.

David Donde from Cape Town’s Truth Coffee is coming to Joburg

David Donde is a central figure in the rise of contemporary coffee culture in South Africa. He has long finetuned the importance of artisanal coffee through Origin Coffee and Truth Coffee, two of the most well-respected roasteries and cafes in Cape Town. In addition, he quietly trains the best baristas in the country. Catch David at Truth Coffee and Origin Coffee vendor spaces during the expo.

The Crush the Rush Barista competition is back!

The coffee expo and La Marzocco are once again hosting the popular Crush the Rush Barista competition. Watch as Barista teams from some of the country’s leading coffee shops duke it out while showing off some sharp skills, creativity and speed in crafting the perfect cup of coffee under Cafe environment pressure.

Snack on sarmies and sweet treats

Wondering what’s on the cards in terms of food and drink? The Bread Gypsy is on standby with rich pastries and sourdough loaves all made with stoneground flour. For something sweet and decadent, you cannot go wrong with freshly crafted treats from AJ Whisks and Oh My Cake among others.

Cost: R250pp (weekend pass), R110pp (day pass). Book through Fourways Mall