It’s time for the 2022 UAE AeroPress Championship after a long haul of waiting after the pandemic. Often known as “The Winner Takes All,” The first female Emirati, Waqar Alhammadi to represent the UAE, the winner of the Aeropress UAE 2022 competition. We are delighted to share her visit with us here in Ororo Experience’s lab with our team to conduct a cupping session and her preparation for her upcoming competition happening this December 1-3, 2022 at World Aeropress Championship in Vancouver, Canada.
On the set of our cupping session, we interviewed her. We asked for a little background about herself and how she got into specializing coffee,” My beginning in the world of specialized coffee was in 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic when I began entering the field of v60. I learned a certain recipe and got used to preparing it within two years, such as Coffee roasting, types of coffee, their uses, and its origins.” Waqar said.
As women continue to make great strides in different aspects. Women’s participation and visibility particularly in Coffee Specialization. Waqar Alhammadi happily shared her exploration of coffee from a morning drink caffeine rush to an exceptional passion for specialty coffee. “My experience and a love of exploration were the fuel that pushed my talent towards an exceptional path. I registered for the competition. I didn’t know how to use the Aeropress tool nor how to use it or even what the recipe is used for, but my passion was greater. In just 3 weeks, I have developed my skills through self-learning, watching videos on youtube and social media, and I have attended two Aeropress tools. Passion and determination have driven me to achieve first place in UAE Aeropress Championship.” she said.
It was such an honor for us, Ororo Experience Team to be with her last Tuesday, November 1, 2022, in our very own Ororo Experience Lab to present and make East African coffee beans and their origins, shine during our cupping sessions. “I enjoyed my visit to Ororo Experience’s lab by trying different types of coffee during cupping sessions and discussing the most important topics in the field of coffee, roasting methods, farms, and how to take care of the crop of beans.”
We also enlightened her with a little bit of background about all our coffee beans and the people behind our product. We produced in Swahili, Ororo essentially translates to “pleasant,” “beautiful,” and “calm,” and that is precisely the kind of experience we at Ororo seek to offer our clients. To give coffee growers from underserved regions the chance to let their produce shine as brightly as it should, Ororo Experience was founded out of love, enthusiasm, and curiosity for coffee.
As we wrapped up our cupping sessions and our interview with her, we asked her about her preparations for her upcoming competition at World Aeropress Championship 2022 in Vancouver, Canada. She ended our conversation with an inspirational message, “My ambition at the moment is to develop my skills in the field of Specialty Coffee, obtain certificates approved by the Specialized Coffee Associations, conduct specialized courses in the field of specialty coffee, and spread awareness among community the idea that coffee is not only a morning drink but also to focus, gives the energy of love and giving. I also aspire to establish my own project in this field. If you have a goal that you must strive to achieve no matter the difficulties and challenges along the way. Remember, there is no easy way. You must challenge yourself to reach your goal in the end. Success is not by luck, but by PASSION.”
This is the start of the journey – Aw-coffee-mazing! It’s an opportunity to celebrate women’s accomplishments in the field of Coffee Specialization. We are here with you, your Ororo Experience family to support you and we wish you all the best.
