Cathay Pacific has teamed up with Hong Kong homegrown coffee brand The Coffee Academics to deliver its signature blends to passengers taking to the skies.
Founded in 2012, The Coffee Academics has transformed Hong Kong’s speciality coffee scene through its meticulously sourced beans, innovative roasting techniques and dedication to delivering a refined sensory experience.
The partnership with Cathay Pacific involved the development of a bespoke in-flight coffee blend designed specifically for flying customers. The process began with a careful review of passenger preferences and the unique challenges of serving coffee at altitude, where taste buds and sense of smell are naturally dulled. To overcome this, The Coffee Academics and Cathay Pacific experimented with roast levels and brewing methods using the same equipment found onboard, settling on a darker French roast profile, chosen for its ability to cut through the muted conditions of air travel.
The final blend brings together beans from Vietnam and Brazil, prized for their depth and consistency, and has been calibrated to maximise aroma while retaining balance in flavour. Named the Cathay Blend, it pays tribute to Hong Kong’s vibrant cultural heritage, with a flavour profile that combines the bold richness of dark cocoa, inspired by the city’s storied maritime past, with the gentle warmth of roasted almond and a hint of floral honey that evokes the comforting familiarity and subtle sweetness of home. The result is a rich, full-bodied cup that is bold enough to resonate at 30,000 feet yet smooth enough to appeal to a wide range of palates.
To ensure quality and consistency, each portion is packed in a biodegradable filter that allows the water to infuse evenly through the grounds, producing a clean, full-bodied cup every time.
“This strategic collaboration with Cathay Pacific is a proud milestone for The Coffee Academics,” says Jennifer W.F. Liu, founder of The Coffee Academics. “It allows us to bring the taste of Hong Kong to a global audience while sharing our passion for quality and innovation. For me, this partnership represents a moment to showcase our in-house capabilities and commitment to crafting exceptional coffee experiences, now available to travellers across the world.
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