It's a habit that's become a lifestyle.

Because for an increasing numbers of Kiwis, a long black is as important to starting the day as showering and brushing your teeth. We now consume close to four kilogrammes of coffee beans per person, per year.

To celebrate our connection, our commitment to the coffee bean, the Tauranga Coffee Festival is coming to town on Saturday, July 28.

The event will feature many of the city's artisan coffee brands, including Excelso Coffee Roasters, Elizabeth Cafe and Larder, Luca, Henry & Ted, Love Rosie Bakery and The Dry Dock Cafe among others. There will be free tastings throughout the day.

There will also be barista workshops to hone the home coffee-brewing skills, an all-day Espresso Martini bar and a street food lane where you can taste treats inspired by the coffee bean, such as a coffee-infused beer created by Mount Brewing Company, a coffee-infused ice cream and organic coffee-infused popcorn.

There will also be entertainment for the kids, and for the less dedicated coffee enthusiasts there will be pop-up music entertainment.

The Tauranga Coffee festival is at ‘Our Place, 91 Willow Street in the CBD, on Saturday, July 28 between 10am-6pm.