MORNING COFFEE BREAK WITH ROY DANIEL, MANAGING PARTNER OF BARISTA ESPRESSO

With coffee still the drink of choice for many, we caught up with Roy Daniel, managing partner of Barista Espresso, to learn more about the biggest challenges faced by the coffee industry, customers’ needs and how Barista Espresso is catering to them.

How were you able to position Barista Espresso at the forefront of the industry?

We strive to provide our customers with the best coffee possible and always work toward exceeding their expectations. We pride ourselves on being a one-stop shopping experience, which we are doing by investing in our factory to broaden our product range.

Today, coffee enthusiasts can find everything they need at Barista, from products to machines. It is our duty to stay up to date with what consumers are looking for and the trends characterizing the industry. We reached a new milestone in our business when we decided to venture into instant coffee. It was a bold move for an espresso brand, but it paid off, reaffirming our leadership and forward-thinking culture.

What do you believe to be the biggest challenge faced by the coffee industry?

The industry is being threatened by climate change. According to experts, almost half of the land that’s being used to grow coffee will no longer be suitable in just 30 years' time. Taking into account that global demand for coffee is continuously rising this spells trouble. Moreover, the coffee industry in Lebanon is facing numerous challenges, such as currency devaluation and a decrease in purchasing power, making it harder for the population to buy luxury coffee.

Do you have news of new product releases?

In 2022, our main focus was on expanding our product range and upgrading the existing one. We launched aluminum Nespresso-compatible capsules and introduced individual instant coffee sachets and creamer. We also opened two Barista Bar branches, a unique coffee drive-thru concept. Before the end of the year, we will be releasing ASTRA, our latest coffee machine.