The London Coffee Festival 2016

Whether it’s a strong black Americano first thing in the morning, a flat white to keep you going in the afternoon or an espresso to finish off a meal, we have become a nation of coffee drinkers: in coffee shops alone 1.7 billion cups are drunk every year.

So, if you’re a coffee connoisseur or just want to learn more about the beans, we'd recommend heading over to the London Coffee Festival at the start of April.

Over the course of two days, the festival brings bean-lovers the opportunity to sample a huge range of artisan coffees, attend interactive demonstrations and workshops and try out some coffee-based cocktails. With over 250 stalls and a jam-packed programme, there's so much on offer, so we’ve picked out some of the highlights you'll not want to miss.

Top of your list should be the True Artisan Cafe: ideal for all coffee lovers and a chance to be inspired by 32 of Europe's best coffee shops. Throughout the festival there'll be a team of experts on hand to take you through everything from cafetière basics to the V60 or terrifyingly serious Aeropress.

If you’re more interested in talking about coffee than making it then head over to The Lab, where you’ll be able to debate the ethical issues facing coffee producers, quiz baristas or get some tips on how to set up your own coffee shop. Or you can pop over to the Coffee Masters, which will see 16 baristas compete in 7 disciplines including latte art and signature drinks – this fast-paced competition is sure to keep you entertained.

Of course, this is Shoreditch, so it’s unlikely that you’ll get an event without some booze: to satisfy that other hankering you can check out Milk & Sugar – what the London Coffee Festival are calling their “fashion and design district”. They have a bar area where they'll whip up a fantastic cocktail, and of course Espresso Martinis are on the menu—you can even pop one in your basket when you buy tickets online if you want to be really ahead of the curve.

In addition to all the tastebud tingling, there’s a wealth of musical entertainment across the weekend, with some brilliant blues and acoustic artists lined up.

Hirsute caffeine addicts will no doubt be gathering from the furthest reaches of East London for the event, so if it's your scene, grab some tickets and head down to the Old Truman Brewery for an array of beards, booze and plenty of beans.