Held in Gothenburg, Sweden, the competition will characteristic 60+ exhibitors from 16 nations, with a World Roasters Showcase, roasting competitors, trade talks, and hands-on workshops.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photographs courtesy of Nordic Espresso Fest
The Nordic Espresso Fest returns to Gothenburg, Sweden, from February 28 to March 1, 2026, bringing collectively espresso professionals, lovers, producers, and roasters for a dynamic weekend of tastings, talks, workshops, and competitors.
Organized by Ordna Occasion Company (the crew behind The Barista League), the competition has grown into certainly one of Europe’s most enjoyable specialty espresso gatherings. Set to be hosted at Bananpiren, a waterfront venue within the Frihamnen space of Gothenburg, the 2026 version guarantees to raise the espresso expertise with worldwide participation, deep cultural trade, and loads of methods to study and join.
A Really World Espresso Celebration
This 12 months’s Nordic Espresso Fest highlights the worldwide attain and affect of specialty espresso tradition whereas staying rooted in Nordic values of high quality and craftsmanship. With 60+ exhibitors from about 16 nations, the present goes far past Scandinavia, welcoming espresso roasters, gear makers, and innovators from throughout Europe, North America, and past—an indication of how Nordic specialty espresso has grow to be a crossroads for worldwide espresso tradition.
On the coronary heart of the occasion is the World Roasters Showcase: a curated space devoted to distinctive, world-class espresso manufacturers that not often seem collectively underneath one roof. Right here, attendees can work together with flagship roasters like Differente from Colombia, Onyx Espresso Lab from North America, FRITZ of South Korea, and Blue Tokai from India. This immersive showcase celebrates various espresso traditions and taste profiles, providing uncommon tasting alternatives and cross-cultural dialogue that develop what espresso lovers can count on and respect.
Showcases, Talks, and Competitions
One of many competition’s signature highlights is the Nordics Finest Roaster competitors, the place high roasters face off in an expert-led, peer-assessed problem that celebrates precision, creativity, and mastery in roasting. Finalists are chosen by rigorous blind cupping rounds and current each a compulsory lot and a self-sourced espresso within the finals, with the winner topped on the competition’s last day.
The Business Stage, introduced by Toddy, gives strong programming targeted on the theme “Dealing with the Subsequent 5 Years.” This platform brings a number of the brightest minds in espresso collectively to unpack rising challenges and alternatives shaping the worldwide espresso panorama, from local weather resilience and sustainable farming practices to evolving client developments and high quality requirements. Attendees can count on forward-thinking discussions aimed toward inspiring change and fostering collaboration throughout the trade.
Operating alongside the Business Stage is the Primary Stage, introduced by Oatly, the place participating talks and demos discover every thing from espresso farming fundamentals to sensory experiences and brewing methods. Previous talks have included classes on espresso pricing, roasting methods, and the way to decide on espresso that actually fits your style, mixing training with leisure to enchantment each to professionals and curious espresso drinkers.
Roasters Village + Exhibitor Highlight
Central to the competition expertise is the Roasters Village, a bustling hub the place specialty espresso manufacturers from the Nordics and throughout Europe collect to share their newest choices. Providing extra than simply exhibition cubicles, this area invitations attendees to pattern a variety of coffees, meet the folks behind the beans, and uncover new roasters they may not encounter of their native markets. From micro-roasters to established favorites, Roasters Village captures the eagerness and variety of immediately’s specialty espresso scene.
With exhibitors spanning some 16 nations, this 12 months’s Nordic Espresso Fest stands out for its world breadth. The combo of individuals, from Nordic manufacturers to worldwide pioneers, displays the competition’s evolving position as a cultural crossroads for espresso innovation, connecting producers, roasters, baristas, and customers in significant and flavorful methods.
Be taught by Doing: Workshops, Cupping Periods, Tastings + Extra
Including to the competition’s experiential enchantment is the Barista Faculty, operating each days of the occasion. These hands-on classes are good for learners of all ranges, from dwelling brewers to budding professionals. Attendees can guide 30-minute workshops in areas like latte artwork, espresso methods, and filter brewing, led by seasoned baristas from The Barista League. Whether or not you’ve by no means steamed milk earlier than or need to refine your brewing strategy, Barista Faculty gives sensible abilities in a enjoyable, supportive setting.
Past workshops, the competition additionally options cupping classes, tastings, and demos that deepen understanding of espresso origins, processing strategies, and sensory analysis. These actions give each trade guests and low lovers an opportunity to discover espresso in depth, increasing data whereas connecting with friends who share a ardour for distinctive espresso.
Don’t miss this distinctive likelihood to style, study, and join! Nordic Espresso Fest 2026 runs February 28 to March 1, 2026, at Bananpiren, Gothenburg, with tickets out there now at nordiccoffeefest.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior on-line correspondent for Barista Journal and a contract copywriter and editor with a main give attention to the espresso area of interest. She has additionally been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, offering content material to assist educate folks about baristas and their work.
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