Irish people have embraced coffee like never before. In 2013, 3,992 tonnes of coffee were consumed in Ireland.

Now over 10,000 visitors from more than 100 countries across the globe are expected in Dublin for World of Coffee 2016.

As part of this, the capital is also hosting the World Barista Championships - which is looking for the best of the best when it comes to coffee creativity.

The championship features 61 competitors from all over the globe, each of which has already triumphed in their respective national championship.

Each competitor has 15 minutes to serve the four sensory judges and one technical judge a round of espressos, a round of free-form milk drinks, and a creative signature drink.

As part of the World of Coffee 2016, coffee chain Caffè Nero is being presented as a case study.

The presentation is part of a discussion on 'Transforming the Value Chain.'

The firm is undertaking a three year project in Nicaragua, working with a group of 71 small coffee farmers.

It is aimed at improving in a sustainable way the environmental, social, quality and productivity of these coffee farmers.

"The hope is in three years' time these 71 coffee farmers who are working with Caffè Nero will have improved their farm performances in order to be more productive and quality orientated and to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Agriculture Network Standard, which the Rainforest Alliance certification™, is based on", the company says.

The Rainforest Alliance works to ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour.