Indonesian Apfia Jovitatera Wins UAE AeroPress Title
- Indonesian barista Apfia Jovitatera has been crowned UAE AeroPress Champion 2026.
- The finals took place on Saturday, November 14, at Almas Tower in Dubai.
- The champion is based in Abu Dhabi and holds Indonesian nationality.
- She will represent the UAE at the World Championship in Mexico City on December 6.
- A total of 252 competitors from all seven emirates took part, with 21 reaching the national finals.
- The championship was held under the theme “United and Strong,” organised by Mokha 1450.
- The current edition marks ten years since the competition first launched in 2016.
Indonesian barista Apfia Jovitatera has been crowned UAE AeroPress Champion 2026. The title followed a fiercely contested competition at Almas Tower, headquarters of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre. The finals took place on Saturday, November 14.
With this victory, Jovitatera will represent the United Arab Emirates at the World AeroPress Championship. The global event is scheduled for Mexico City on December 6.
The Champion: A Great Opportunity and Deep Gratitude
In an exclusive statement to Qahwa World, Apfia Jovitatera said she was delighted with the achievement. She added that taking part in the UAE AeroPress Championship was a great opportunity for her. She also explained that she was deeply grateful to represent the country at the World AeroPress Championship.
She noted that the competition was intense. She said she was looking forward to representing the UAE on the international stage. She also stressed that the experience marks an important step in her specialty coffee journey.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Edition | 10th |
| Champion | Apfia Jovitatera from Abu Dhabi |
| Venue | Almas Tower, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre |
| Final date | November 14, 2026 |
| Competitors | 252 from all seven emirates |
| National finalists | 21 competitors |
| Theme | United and Strong |
| Organizer | Mokha 1450 with the World AeroPress Championship |
| Prize | Representing the UAE in Mexico City |
Khaled Al Mulla: Our Ambitions Go Beyond What We Have Achieved
In his closing remarks, Khaled Al Mulla, Chairman of the Specialty Coffee Association UAE, praised the support provided by DMCC and its staff over the years. He thanked Ahmed Al-Salehian, Chairman of the Executive Committee, along with the sponsors and volunteers for their hard work and dedication.
Al Mulla highlighted several upcoming coffee events in the UAE. He pointed to Coffee with Spirit and the EBRIC Championship. He also announced plans to host the Cup Tasters Championship in December.
Looking ahead to World of Coffee Dubai 2027, Al Mulla called on the local and international coffee community to continue its efforts and dedication. He stressed that ambition should extend beyond achievements already made. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining the same commitment, initiative, and determination to make the most of available opportunities.
He explained that the UAE enjoys a growing presence in the international coffee scene. He expressed pride in having a representative from the Arab world and the UAE representing the Specialty Coffee Association at the global level.
Garfield Kerr: The UAE Is Leading the World of Coffee
For his part, Garfield Kerr, CEO of Mokha 1450, expressed his pride in reaching the 10th anniversary of the championship. He said the enthusiasm of the country’s coffee community is the driving force behind the competition’s continued success.
In an exclusive statement to Qahwa World on the second day of the championship, Kerr described the event as the largest public AeroPress competition in the world. He pointed to record participation and the enthusiasm surrounding each edition.
He added that the passion demonstrated by the UAE coffee community cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. He explained that this enthusiasm is one of the reasons he believes the UAE is currently leading the global coffee scene.
Kerr also recalled the competition’s launch in March 2016 in Dubai’s historic Al Fahidi district. He expressed pride in its decade-long journey. He voiced hope that the same level of enthusiasm and passion would continue in the years ahead.
A Decade of Competition and Coffee Community Building
The 10th edition marks an important milestone in the history of the UAE AeroPress Championship. The competition began in 2016 and has developed into an annual gathering for baristas, coffee professionals, and enthusiasts from across the country.
The championship runs on a system of regional rounds that precede the national finals. Each round features 36 competitors from each emirate, with the top three from each emirate advancing to the final.
Attention Now Turns to Mexico City
With Jovitatera claiming the 2026 national title, attention now turns to her participation in the World AeroPress Championship in Mexico City on December 6. There she will carry the UAE national title into the international competition.
The championship was hosted at Almas Tower for the fifth consecutive year. This repeated hosting underlines the UAE’s continued commitment to coffee competitions.
