A more discerning clientele has spurred demand for that perfect cup
Coffee lovers in Hong Kong are often disappointed with the quality of the coffee they buy (for an extravagant price) at the numerous coffee outlets managed by international chains.
But gourmet-tasting coffee without the gourmet price tag, is not out of reach. There are a spate of corner coffee shops appearing in both residential and commercial districts serving coffee to meet the demands of aficionados.
Michelle Tang, director of Dolci (Hong Kong), the franchisee of Segafredo Zanetti Espresso Caffe Bar, said: 'The big names in coffee chains have helped in developing a coffee trend. Pacific Coffee and Starbucks are undoubtedly the pioneers of the coffee shop business in Hong Kong. Both have contributed significantly in bringing American-style coffee shops to Hong Kong and in educating Hong Kong consumers in the culture and taste of coffee drinking.'
The popularity of these coffee chains has increased the demand for coffee in Hong Kong. Many new shops have sprung up in the past few years, from the small independent upstairs coffee shops in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay, to chains from Italy, Japan and Southeast Asia. These places survive simply on the growing demand for coffee and the ability of the small coffee houses to differentiate themselves from the international household names.
Barry Yuen Chi-tak, a coffee enthusiast who spent a few years in Italy learning the art of being a professional barista, said: 'Hong Kong people enjoy trying out new trends. The large franchises have been useful in encouraging the coffee culture through their marketing.