If you’re a coffee lover looking to level up and learn about the art and science of coffee, you won’t want to miss out on a workshop at the UCC Coffee Academy. During my time there, we were given a quick run-through of the UCC Coffee Academy and the story behind its conception.
UCC Coffee Academy Philippines is the third branch in the entire world, preceded only by the Kobe and Tokyo branches. Their goal is to share their passion for coffee through education, utilizing over 85 years of expertise, knowledge, and love for the caffeinated beverage. They offer students a systematic approach in learning about coffee, which is open to anyone from the most beginner students to those who want to level up their coffee-making skills on a professional level.
More than a simple kitchen, the UCC Coffee Academy feels more like a coffee laboratory. You’re seated on tall stools in front of countertops akin to the ones we used to sit at for laboratory classes in school, where you then start with a lecture before going into the more practical pursuits of the courses.
What also stood out to me was the myriad of coffee-making tools, from their roasting machine all the way to the familiar espresso machines. We were given a live demonstration by coffee guru Robert Francisco on how he goes about roasting beans. His energy was palpable, and I was more than excited to get to know more about the coffee that I consume every day.
Since coffee-making is a science, I learned about how temperature and timing are imperative to the roasting of beans (a very important process when creating high-quality coffee). We learned what to listen for when the beans are ready, and were taught what to look out for when tasting different roasts.
But one of the things that truly sets UCC Coffee Academy apart is the level of expertise behind the team who runs the academy. Besides Francisco, who has had 30-plus years of experience in the coffee industry, we had the opportunity to observe their coffee masters Ejay Gungon and Arvin Benigay at work. Both of them are champions or first runners-up in a number of national coffee competitions.
I was used to the usual rosettes and swans on my lattes, but I got to watch the creation of a unicorn and a seahorse right before my eyes. It was mesmerizing! Coffee master Ejay was even kind enough to answer my barrage of questions, as I’d always wondered what went into judging barista and latte art. So, in joining UCC Coffee Academy’s workshops, you are surely in good hands.
The best part of the UCC Coffee Academy is the variety of classes, as well as how in-depth the courses get, based on your skill level. The classes offered at their space in Taguig range from learning the basics of coffee to advanced barista training. If you’re looking to open a cafe of your own, they even offer cafe start-up essentials.
When it comes to the UCC Coffee Academy, they aren’t just any coffee shop wanting to open their own workshop. The training, rigor, and expertise behind their coffee curriculum is world-class, and something worth investing either a few hours a number of sessions in, to fully utilize and appreciate their curriculum.
I’d recommend, if you’re a coffee hobbyist like me, to bring some friends and attend their beginner coffee workshops as a fun weekend activity. And when you’re done, you can also visit their café connected to the workshop space right after to celebrate a rewarding, knowledge-filled class!
So whether you’re an aspiring home barista or looking to venture into professional coffee-making and running a business, UCC Coffee Academy should be your top choice.
For more information on their courses, visit their website: https://ucccoffeeacademy.ph. Workshop schedules are regularly posted on their Instagram page: @ucccoffeeacademyph . The UCC Coffee Academy Philippines is in THE SHOPS BGC, TAGUIG.
