Local entrepreneurs, especially those producing unique and one-of-a-kind products, highly benefit from the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) 2018, it is learnt.

Two of these entrepreneurs, Faisal Abdulaziz Ali and Bayan Shokri, are showcasing and promoting their coffee products for the first time at the 11-day culinary event, taking place at the Hotel Park until March 25.
“The festival helped us to show our merchandise to a large number of people, especially those who love to drink coffee,” said Shokri, who manages Tamr café. 
The company, which started operating 11 months ago, uses machines to convert dates seeds into caffeine-free coffee granules.
She noted that such product is new in Qatar – a healthy coffee full of antioxidants just like any other coffee in the Qatar market. 


Bayan Shokri showcases her products at the festival


In the past four days at QIFF’s Coffee Zone, Shokri revealed that they received many customers who enjoyed the coffee’s flavour. She plans to open stalls in some of locations and public parks in Doha in the next few months.
Currently, she prefers participating in events and festivals such as QIFF to raise public awareness on the benefits of drinking healthy coffee like Tamr.
The Coffee Zone is a new offering at the festival, aimed at celebrating coffee’s aroma and providing another unique experience for visitors.
Assaden Food Trading Co CEO and Partner Ali echoed Shokri’s statement saying that the Qatar Tourism Authority-organised festival is a good platform to promote and market his product. He produces Turkish coffee from high quality Brazilian coffee beans.
“This is our first product in Doha, we roast it by wood fire and it is specially made for Qatar, you will only find it here in Doha,” he told Gulf Times. “We do it medium roast so it is not too strong nor mild.”
“And the good thing about the Brazilian coffee bean is it’s not sour like other beans. The taste is great,” Ali stressed.
He finds the location of his stall at the annual festival conspicuous as many people pass by the area.
Ali said that events such as QIFF are also an opportunity to get the response of the public on their products. 
“What I observed is that a lot of people like its (Turkish coffee) taste while some may not like it, but that is normal,” he noted. 
Like Tamr, Ali’s product is now available in some major outlets such as Al Meera, and resident may soon find them in Lulu and Carrefour.

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