Consumers gathered in the courtyard of the Ministry of Trade yesterday June 29, 2016 to savour the taste and aroma of Cameroon coffee.

Cups of Cameroon coffee brands from Socièté Agro-industrielle et Commerciale du Cameroon (café Vital), Brûlure du Moungo (Café Yoan), Café Ngako Constant and La Maison du Café, were in almost all hands at the coffee fair in the courtyard of the Ministry of Trade in Yaounde yesterday June 29, 2016.

The fair that opened at 9 am was centre of attraction, with producers and consumers on a platform of “Anytime is coffee time!” Slogans like, “You hold in your hands a package/cup of Yoan coffee containing a selection of the best coffee beans in Cameroon, roasted for you according to the rules and standards. We are sure that its subtle aroma will trigger in you the same passion we have. Taste it, savour it, experience it,” made the day for customers. 

The coffee-tasting day is the initiative of the Coffee and Cocoa Inter-profession Council, CICC as part of it’s the monthly campaign to motivate Cameroonians to consume locally-made coffee. CICC’s Mariama said the day was intended to promote the country’s potential, stating that; “Cameroon is a land of coffees.”

The coffee-tasting day came on the heels of an agreement with the Ministry of Trade on the need to henceforth organise such exhibitions every month. “The starting point is Yaounde. We intend to have coffee tasted in all ministries. The caravan will go to markets and other hotspots. CICC will organise the same exercise in other cities around the country,” Mariama Ngone disclosed.

“Brûlure du Moungou’s” Director, Bertrand Gako, “SAICAM’s” Marketing Director, Lamber Mbiangang and “Ngako Contant’s” Njikam Paul, said they were at the coffee-tasting fair to put an end to wrong notions of Cameroon-made coffee. Their aim is also to get more Cameroonians understand the benefits of coffee, which helps in reducing the risk of Type 2 Diabetes, acting on one’s uro-genital system, being a slimming partner, a heart benefactor, for better sport performance and good against stress, cancer, headache and Asthma.

Producers however caution on the need to consume coffee moderately. Three cups (about 7 to 9 centilitres) are enough for a day, they stress. Going beyond the prescribed quantity exposes consumers to palpitation and insomnia due to the high level of caffeine.