LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – To promote the traditional ways of preparing coffee, La Trinidad coffee growers from different associations take part in the indigenous coffee roasting and brewing competition on February 11 at the municipal park.
As part of the celebration of the 8th Coffee Festival, six pairs from the different arabica coffee growers associations of the barangays showcased their skills on roasting and brewing coffee.
Filomena Enggoy, one of the participants from Wangal, expressed that joining in the competition is their way to demonstrate what they have learned from the training and seminars on how to roast coffee beans in order to achieve the ideal taste of a brewed coffee.
Enggoy also shared that being happy while roasting and patience are some of the techniques they applied during the contest for them to obtain the desired aroma and taste of the coffee.
“Patience haan nga biglaan, haan nga habhabulen day oras nga maluto dagus, day talaga nga patience, iparuwar na amin ti mayat nga aroma, dagijay ti number one nga i-apply (It should not be rushed. Patience [in roasting] helps bring out the aroma)” she stated.
Lina Alos, her partner added, “Tas jay consistency ijay panagkiwar. Hindi yung madalihan, inggana rumwar day usto nga mantika na, yun ang secret. Nakaisem ka ken agkankanta (And the consistency in stirring—it should be slow until the natural oil comes out, that is the secret. Smile and sing as well).
They also shared that joining the competition is their means to encourage the youth to learn how to roast and brew arabica coffee instead of merely drinking instant coffee.
Cherrylin Soronio, the winner in the competition from Beckel, stated that in brewing coffee, the things to be considered is that the coffee beans must be well sorted and well dried as it will affect the taste of the coffee. She added that while roasting, the coffee beans should be stirred in one direction to achieve the desirable and exact taste of the coffee when brewed.
Soronio also shared that teaching the importance of growing coffee to the youth is a must because it is a source of income and the traditions associated with coffee will not vanish.
According to Andy Colte, Chairman of Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC), the program intends to encourage the coffee growers to apply what the agricultural office taught them regarding coffee roasting and brewing and to also promote the coffee growers of La Trinidad.
The participants are from Lubas Arabica Coffee Growers Association, Ambiong La Trinidad Arabica Coffee and Ommuni Mcation, Aduyon Coffee Farmers Association, Coffee Growers Association of Wangal, Beckel Arabica Coffee Growers Association, Talingguroy Organic Coffee Arabica Growers Multipurpose Association, and Shilan Arabica Coffee Growers Association. By Rhealyn Charwin
