At Nordic Coffee Fest in March, we were crowned none other than Nordics Best Roaster 2026, and we couldn't be prouder! What an incredible honor to win such a prestigious competition among incredibly talented industry colleagues from across the Nordic region. But what exactly is Nordics Best Roaster, and what did the competition entail?
Nordics Best Roaster is perhaps the ultimate test of skill we have for the craft of coffee roasting here in the Nordic countries. The competition is a central part of Nordic Coffee Fest and is fundamentally about extracting the full potential from every coffee bean. It's inspiring to see so many skilled professionals gathered in one place with a shared passion for detail and the excellent taste experience.
The competition format itself is both technical and demanding. First, participants must pass a narrow blind-tasting selection to qualify for the final. Those who advance then face two different tasks. One involves an obligatory coffee, where the starting point is the same for everyone, while the other is a coffee they have chosen and sourced themselves. This requires both precision in the roasting process and a good understanding of the raw ingredients' quality.
One of the most valuable aspects of this award is that the roasters themselves participate in evaluating each other's work. This fosters a professional dialogue and mutual respect for the craft that permeates the entire community. At the same time, the public gets the opportunity to taste and vote for their favorite coffees! This makes the competition feel inclusive and accessible to anyone interested in coffee.
When the winners are announced at the end of the festival, it's a celebration of the high standards in the Nordic coffee industry. The quality of the coffee presented is often exceptional, and the competition encourages everyone to push themselves a little further. For the professional community, this is an important arena for innovation and a reminder of the value of good craftsmanship at every stage of production.
