Coffee Fest 2012 Unveils Best New Products

For the first time ever, Coffee Fest trade show attendees determined the awards for best new products at the event earlier this month in Chicago.

In the consumable products category, placing first was Kishr, a beverage made from the dried coffee cherry, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom. Second place was awarded to Fiddleheads Coffee Roasters for Papua New Guinea Peaberry, and Two Degrees Food Bars placed third. The bars come in four flavors - Cherry Almond, Apple Pecan, Chocolate Peanut and Chocolate Banana.

In the non-consumables category, Visions Espresso Service's Exotic Wood Tampers won first place. Coming in second was Perka Inc., for its loyalty app for neighborhood merchants. Vessel Drinkware won third place for its Americano Tumbler with "360" lid.

The show also hosted The Coffee Fest Latte Art World Championship Open featuring 64 competitors from all over the United States and around the world. Christopher "Nicely" Alameda of Handsome Coffee Roasters, Venice, Calif., won first place and a $2,500 prize.

Kenny Smith of Counter Culture Coffee Sunergos Coffee, Louisville, Ky., won second place and a $1,000 prize. Placing third was Nick Van Slett of JP's Coffee & Espresso, Holland, Mich., for a  $500 prize.

Coffee Fest's next show is slated for Sept. 21-23 in Seattle and will debut America's Best Coffeehouse competition, America's Best Espresso competition and the Coffee Fest Freshman Class, a first-time attendee program.