Coffee Expo, Barista Championship, Coffees of the Year, Arianna Huffington Headline Specialty Coffee Association of America Event, April 15 - 18

LONG BEACH, Calif., April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) hosts its 22nd Annual Exposition & Symposium, April 15 – 18, 2010, Anaheim, Calif. at the Anaheim, Convention Center. "The Event" brings together thousands of international coffee professionals from more than 40 countries to focus on specialty coffee, sustaining the industry and farmers' livelihoods, and the latest and most innovative trends and products in the coffee marketplace. SCAA is the world's coffee authority and largest coffee trade association. Visit www.scaaexposition.org.

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Coffee Expo: A vibrant show floor, featuring more than 700 exhibitor booths, showcases everything specialty coffee and tea: green and roasted coffee; espresso machines and grinders; roasting equipment; commercial and home brewing machines; coffee drinks, mixes, flavorings, syrups; chocolate, cocoa products; baked goods; and significantly more.

Show Floor Schedule: Friday, April 16: 12 – 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 17: 12 – 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 18: 12 – 4 p.m.

United States Barista Championship: Challengers prepare and serve four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original signature drinks of their own creation -- all within a 15-minute timeframe. Seven USBC-certified judges, including one head judge, two technical judges and four sensory judges, carefully evaluate and score each of the contenders. Judges focus on station cleanliness, taste, beverage presentation, technical skills and total impression.

USBC Schedule of Events:

Thursday, April 15: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday, April 16: 10 a.m. –  5 p.m.; Saturday, April 17: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, April 18: 12 – 2:30 p.m., Awards ceremony, 3 – 3:30 p.m.

Coffees of the Year Competition: This competition evaluates and ranks the finest specialty coffees. Judges assess six distinct qualities of the coffee samples, including: fragrance, aroma, taste, flavor, aftertaste and body. To properly gauge the taste of the hot beverage, the judges "cup" by swishing and swirling a soupspoon-sized portion evenly over their palate then spit out the sample without swallowing. Judges determine the winners after the final cupping on April 18.

Coffees of the Year Competition Schedule:

Friday, April 16: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Saturday, April 17: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Sunday, April 18: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Arianna Huffington Keynote: Arianna Huffington headlines the Specialty Coffee Association of America's 22nd Annual Exposition opening ceremonies, April 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. As SCAA's 2010 keynote presenter, Huffington is set to present "How to Be Fearless in Uncertain Times." The presentation is open to the public and tickets are $45; or one day pass tickets that include full access to the Expo floor as well as the keynote presentation are also available for $45.

Latte Art Competition: Rohan Marley, son of Bob Marley and owner of Marley Coffee, guest judges SCAA's Thursday Night Throwdown Latte Art Competition, April 15, 7 to 10 p.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena Plaza (press badge required to attend; get one in room 210 C). Sponsors: La Marzocco, Counter Culture Coffee and Espresso Partners. Winner takes home $1,000 prize.

SOURCE Specialty Coffee Association of America