Instagram story viewer> @zhandrock> Posts

Hootan salemi

@zhandrock

9.1K

followers

1352

following

🏆 Iran Barista Champion ’24 | UAE 🥉 ’25
CQI Instructor• SCA AST• SCI Instructor
CQI Arabica Grader | Sensory Judge
Coffee Consultant

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Third place in the UAE Barista Championship!

This journey was all about pushing boundaries—using the 4 elements to support the coffee industry and creating a multi-sensory experience for a better cup. But this time, the judges weren’t just judges—they were heroes.
A huge thank you to El Paraiso 92 for sponsoring my coffee, and a special thanks to Wilton for his professionalism and support. The coffee I used—Ombilgon—was fermented with Pichia Kluvery yeast, bringing out incredible flavors:
☕ Espresso: Rose, peach, lychee, pink grapefruit
🥛 Milk base: Butterscotch, chocolate fudge, tiramisu
I roasted this coffee using Roest, which helped me develop even more layers of flavor and truly brought out the best in my beans.
The cups were designed by my dear friend Mehdi—such an amazing design that enhances the drinking experience in a unique way.
A very special thanks to Sulaiman—not just a supporter, but someone who truly believed in me every step of the way. His trust, encouragement, and unwavering support meant more than words can express. He was there like a brother, pushing me forward, making sure I had everything I needed, and reminding me that no challenge was too big. Without him, this journey wouldn’t have been the same.
Huge appreciation to CMI Company for providing the machines and supporting me with equipment throughout the competition. Your help made a huge difference!
And of course, a big thank you to my QC family, friends, and everyone who supported me throughout this competition.
And finally, thank you to myself. I roasted my own coffee, I was my own coach, and I planned every single detail of this competition from start to finish. It wasn’t easy, but I gave it everything I had—and I’m proud of that.
Next post, I’ll dive deeper into my concept, presentation, and cups—stay tuned!
I always try to think outside the box, to create and share new experiences. Even if they don’t understand, I won’t stop.
@worldofcoffeedubai @scauae @sulaimank.s @metiblue @argipalma @__yourchickensizzler @cmicoffee.ae @bogdanprunila @rasam.adabi @alejandraguayacan @remathoughts @audiesalesjr11 @shimatajdar @mehdibaahmani @parham.kerdari @itsnascoffee taken in United Arab Emirates by @zhandrock

2k

149

2 years ago

بعد از ۱۲ سال کار تو دنیای قهوه، بالاخره به یه نقطه مهم رسیدم! خوشحالم که به عنوان اولین Q Instructor رسمی در خاورمیانه شناخته شدم. این مسیر پر از یادگیری، تجربه و عشق به قهوه بود. حالا آماده‌ام که دانشمو با بقیه به اشتراک بذارم و به رشد صنعت قهوه کمک کنم. این فقط یه شروعه!

‏After 12 years in the coffee industry, I’ve finally reached a major milestone! I’m proud to be recognized as the first official Q Instructor in the Middle East. This journey has been all about learning, experience, and passion for coffee. Now, I’m ready to share my knowledge and help the coffee industry grow. This is just the beginning!

بعد ١٢ سنة من العمل في عالم القهوة، أخيرًا وصلت إلى لحظة مهمة! فخور بأن أكون أول مدرب Q رسمي في الشرق الأوسط. كانت هذه الرحلة مليئة بالتعلم، والتجارب، والشغف بالقهوة. والآن، أنا جاهز لمشاركة معرفتي والمساهمة في تطوير صناعة القهوة. وهذه ليست إلا البداية!

Después de 12 años en la industria del café, ¡por fin he alcanzado un gran logro! Estoy orgulloso de ser reconocido como el primer Q Instructor oficial en Medio Oriente. Este camino ha estado lleno de aprendizaje, experiencia y pasión por el café. Ahora estoy listo para compartir mis conocimientos y ayudar a que la industria del café siga creciendo. ¡Esto es solo el comienzo! taken in United Arab Emirates by @zhandrock

947

235

2 years ago

Back on the Q Grader journey, and officially renewed!

Big thanks to @theqcae for the support and to everyone who brought this class to life.
Special appreciation to @alin.giriada , our amazing instructor, the hardworking team @archers.ae , and, of course, @_daveperalta for making it all possible. Here’s to keeping coffee quality at its finest! 😎🤘🏼 by @zhandrock

799

59

2 years ago

🇦🇪 Sending our warmest wishes to Hootan Salemi from @goldfood.ae , who has chosen two exceptional coffees from Jardines, Red Gesha and Sidra, to compete at this year’s National Championships. ☕🏆

Two remarkable varieties that showcase the richness of our origin, the dedication behind every harvest, and the hard work of everyone involved in producing coffees of this caliber.

We’re incredibly proud to see some of the finest coffees from Jardines represented on such a special stage. Wishing you all the best, Hootan! May every cup be an opportunity to share the character and excellence of our coffees with the world. 🌍

#WhereSpecialtyBegins by @zhandrock

458

16

15 days ago

Cupping a Cup of Excellence winner’s coffee hits different.

@bursa_coffee walked us through his lots last week and the room was locked in.

Thank you to everyone who came out to taste with us.

All coffees cupped on the table are available in our warehouses ready to ship in any part of the world. All you have to do is to get in touch with us and we will take care of the rest.

#specialtycoffee taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @zhandrock

168

2

24 days ago

Coffee didn’t just evolve.
Its language did too.

“Funky.”
“Daily.”
“Clean.”
“Competition.”
“Juicy.”

These words mean something very different in specialty coffee today.

And maybe that’s the interesting part:

Not every great coffee needs to be loud.
Not every expensive coffee needs to be daily.
Not every funky coffee is a defect.
And not every simple coffee is ordinary.

Sometimes you want comfort.
Sometimes you want complexity.
Sometimes you just want to taste something you’ve never tasted before.

There is no “best coffee.”

There is the right coffee for the right moment.

What’s your coffee today: DAILY or EXPERIENCE? by @zhandrock

1k

37

a month ago

That’s a wrap on our much awaited cupping with Capricornio Coffees.

Thank you to everyone who came through, tasted with us and stuck around. Moments like these are what make specialty coffee what it is.

More to come. See you at the next one.

#specialtycoffee taken in Al Quoz by @zhandrock

182

16

a month ago

Our Business Development Manager , @zhandrock, spent time in Rwanda for @bestofrwanda2026, and he came back with more than tasting notes.

It was a reminder of who actually makes specialty coffee possible. The farmers whose relentless work in the field is the foundation of everything we do. The processing teams whose precision at every stage, drying, fermenting, sorting, decides whether a coffee reaches its full potential.

Every cup we source carries their hands in it. Rwanda showed that clearly.

To @rwandagriexport, @bestofrwanda2026 @hiroaki_sonoda , thank you for building the Best of Rwanda platform and giving Rwandan farmers and processors the recognition their work has earned.

#specialtycoffee by @zhandrock

261

12

a month ago

Some coffees you don’t just cup. You sit with someone who’s spent decades understanding them.

@luiz.california from @capricorniocoffees is joining us for a public cupping and workshop, sharing exceptional Brazilian coffees and everything he’s learned as a Q Grader Instructor and COE Judge.

Join us on the 4th of September, 4:30 to 6:30pm, at @goldfood.ae ☕️

Come through, this one’s free and open to everyone in the trade.

#specialtycoffee taken in Al Quoz by @zhandrock

124

8

2 months ago

That is a wrap on the much awaited @torchcoffee_kenya cupping last week.

Two tables, one with Kenya, one with China, and a room full of people who came ready to taste, ask questions, and stick around long after the last cup.

Thank you to everyone who showed up and made it what it was. And thank you @marty_pollack for making the trip and bringing the energy.

#specialtycoffee taken in Al Quoz by @zhandrock

353

30

2 months ago

Some coffees you sell. Others you get excited about.

This Natural Gesha EF2 from @cofi_net is the second kind. It’s the sort of lot that makes a cupping table go quiet.

Limited stock. Reach out if you want in.

#specialtycoffee taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @zhandrock

427

27

2 months ago

A $100,000 roaster isn’t always the better choice.

A $50,000 roaster isn’t always the smarter choice either.

The right decision depends on one thing:

How quickly does the extra investment generate more profit?

Stop comparing equipment by price.

Start comparing it by ROI. by @zhandrock

169

16

2 months ago