The Coffee Revolution in the Skies: Unveiling Cathay's Altitude-Perfect Blend
In a city renowned for its tea heritage, Hong Kong has witnessed an extraordinary coffee evolution over the last decade. From every corner of the city, specialty cafés have emerged, supported by local roasters, catering to the increasingly discerning tastes of coffee enthusiasts.
However, even the most sophisticated coffee connoisseurs have faced a challenge when it comes to inflight coffee experiences. Enter Cathay Pacific, a trailblazer in the skies, who has teamed up with the renowned local specialty roaster, The Coffee Academïcs, to create a coffee blend tailored for the unique conditions of high-altitude flights.
But here's where it gets controversial... The Coffee Academïcs embarked on a mission to craft a blend that would enhance the sensory experience at altitude, where taste and smell are naturally dulled. Through meticulous experimentation with roast profiles, they focused on intensifying the aroma and adjusting the flavor to align with inflight conditions.
After an exhaustive tasting process, evaluating each blend for flavor, aroma, body, acidity, and aftertaste, the final bespoke blend, christened the Cathay Blend, emerged as the winner.
The Cathay Blend is a masterpiece, featuring beans from Vietnam and Brazil, renowned for their depth and complexity. French-roasted to perfection, it delivers a rich, aromatic cup with hints of dark cocoa, roasted almond, and a subtle floral honey note, culminating in a lingering earthy finish.
Despite its dark roast, the Cathay Blend boasts a bold, caramelized flavor profile devoid of bitterness or acidity. To ensure quality and consistency, each portion is packed in a biodegradable filter, allowing water to gently and evenly infuse the grounds, resulting in consistent extraction and clarity for a clean, full-bodied cup every time.
The Cathay Blend is now available in the premium economy and economy cabins of all Cathay Pacific flights, while Illy continues to grace the menus in business and first-class cabins.
So, coffee lovers, are you ready to elevate your inflight experience? And this is the part most people miss... The next time you fly with Cathay Pacific, remember that the perfect cup of coffee is not just about the beans but also about the unique conditions of the journey itself. It's a blend crafted with precision and passion, designed to delight your senses at 35,000 feet. Now, isn't that a reason to look forward to your next flight?
For more insights into Hong Kong's vibrant travel scene, check out our guides: The 48-hour Hong Kong Stopover Guide and How to Experience Hong Kong Like a Local.
