The journey of a young Emirati who turned his hobby by diligence and study into a success story

Ibrahim Al-Mallouhi.. Passion for coffee from the grandmother's council to pioneering projects

• Al-Mallouhi's early relationship with the coffee world led him to a journey of diligence that combined academic study with practical experience.

  Photography: Ahmed Ardeti

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The story and passion of the Emirati young man, Ibrahim Al-Mallouhi, began with coffee since he was young, specifically from the house of his grandmother, who was watching her making Arabic coffee and preparing it with the best tastes that received great praise from the guests. Including "The Espresso Lab", which has been very popular with coffee lovers since its opening in 2010 until today, and today it has a group of branches in Al Quoz and Dubai Design District, in addition to Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi.

Al-Malouhi’s early relationship with the rich world of coffee led him to a journey of diligence that combined the specialized academic study that was claimed with practical experience, as he traveled to visit the most important coffee farms and international cafes that provide specialty coffee, in addition to obtaining an Executive MBA from Cass Business School in London, to equip himself with the experience and skills to run a business with a clear vision and strategy.

A passion since childhood

And about his old and continuous journey with coffee, Ibrahim Al-Malouhi told «Emirates Today»: "I was sitting next to my grandmother while she was preparing Arabic coffee and watching the many details that she was doing, such as choosing types and knowing the best ones, in addition to the roasting steps and the appropriate color, and the traditional methods of cooling and grinding coffee beans. The right way, and my grandmother had a council frequented by many notable people, and I was keen to help her serve coffee to the guests.”

Ibrahim added: "My grandmother was keen to guide me in developing my taste and establishing me with the necessary information about coffee, and from here my love for coffee began."

Al-Malouhi said: “Despite the large number of cafes and places where coffee is served, I did not find the coffee that fascinates me;

I always found it ordinary and missed the distinctive taste I was looking for, which carries the taste of Arabic coffee, and I always thought it was the best kind of coffee.”

special coffee

Ibrahim added, “In 2010 I was in New York, and I found a small café crowded with a long queue outside the door and I had to try it, and I ordered a cup of coffee with milk. That experience was my start with specialty coffee, and I never gave up on this level.”

Situations and challenges

Al-Mallouhi stressed that he does not believe in the existence of negative attitudes, as his complete belief in the existence of good in all situations, and the challenges he faces are what push him to succeed, saying: “I do not believe in the existence of negative attitudes, as for me and in my lexicon there is no negative attitude, I believe With goodness in all things, and the challenges that I am going through, I prepare them for the good of me, no matter how difficult they are.”

Perhaps the most prominent characteristic of Al-Malouhi in serving coffee, according to his description: “I was keen to serve coffee without sugar and additives, because I believe that coffee has a sweet taste, and therefore I am keen to highlight this by offering it without sugar, which distinguishes me from others in this field.” .

He said, "I have contributed to changing the culture of drinking coffee in an entire community after the opening of (The Espresso Lab), where many patrons drink it without sugar and enjoy its distinctive taste without any additives, after they used to drink it with sugar."

He added: "To change the culture of the people in any matter, you must first start with yourself. When you have sufficient conviction in your ideas and orientations, you will inevitably influence these ideas on those around you and they will affect your community as well."

Tips

Ibrahim Al-Mallouhi gave advice to young people, summarizing them in five essential points for success, namely: trusting in God, mastering work, saying the word “no”, avoiding hatred, and finally making sure to leave a legacy for future generations, as being careful about these matters is essential to success, he added. “Success always comes with success from the Lord of the Worlds, so I am always keen to get closer to God and to seek istikhaarah in all matters, because I believe that goodness will always be in what God has chosen, and I am also keen on perfecting my work.”

Al-Malouhi stressed the importance of keenness on mastering the work, whatever its field, as it is one of the secrets of success. Emphasizing the importance of transcending negative situations and transforming them into positive ones.

Al-Mallouhi concluded by stressing the keenness to leave a legacy for the next generation, as we as human beings are not immortal, saying: “We always leave the house vertically, but the day will come when we go out horizontally, so we must prepare for this day by leaving a legacy for future generations.” 

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