PERFECT SCORE
When it comes to getting your daily caffeine fix, The Coffee Academics consistently pours a proper cup. Its tenacity in remaining independent amidst a world of global coffee conglomerates is simply admirable
ong Kong- born brand The Coffee Academics is a go-to spot for those who demand quality coffee and food, and who seek a unique experience. The company got its start seven years ago and quickly took Hong Kong’s coffee scene by storm, catering to those looking for premium coffee surrounded by a bustling, stylish ambience. To date, it’s opened 12 artisan stores around the city. Among its latest triumphs is the world’s first single- origin nitro coffee bar, housed at K11 Musea on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.
Unlike most coffee chains focused on homogeneity, The Coffee Academics takes a more individualised and specialised approach. Each store is a haven for avid Instagrammers looking to upload their next story. The brand places great emphasis on its aesthetics, from the beach-themed cafe in Repulse Bay to the eclectic elegance of its flagship store on Yiu Wa Street in Causeway Bay.
In the seven years since The Coffee Academics’ founding, the coffee industry has undergone seismic changes. Food and beverage conglomerates such as Coca- Cola and Nestlé have acquired and consolidated many smaller independent players, taking them under their wings. However, The Coffee Academics has stayed true to its mission of serving up world- class speciality coffee with unique retail experiences at every store to match. The company has grown in leaps and bounds since then. From its first retail shop in 2012 in Causeway Bay, it has grown into a burgeoning empire, with more than 20 locations across Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing and Bangkok. Additional openings are planned for Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Macau and Manila.
Day by day, The Coffee Academics is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the coffee industry – an extremely competitive market. This is credited to the brand’s founder, Jennifer Liu, who was recently named one of Forbes’ Asia Power Businesswomen for 2019. In a world where the brand could have easily been bought out by a giant corporate entity within a few years of its launch, Liu stuck with it, building a unique image and concept. She explains, “Since its inauguration, The Coffee Academics has been setting standards in coffee quality, taking Hong Kong’s coffee culture to new heights and offering a unique sensory playground for coffee aficionados worldwide.”
As The Coffee Academics continues to expand its retail outlets around the region, it also has an intriguing new project in the pipeline. Since Hong Kong is one of Asia’s financial hubs, when the lunchtime gong strikes, an army of bankers march to get their coffee fixes to help them get through the long day. Responding to this crowd, The Coffee Academics is offering one more option for Hong Kong’s busy bankers. It’s working with Standard Chartered to launch the city’s first coffee banking concept this October – just one more venture set to add to Liu’s roster of success.