Specialty Coffee: Baristas, Brewing Gear and Roasters — 2026-10-23
The 2026 World Barista Championship is currently underway in Panama City, with over 50 national champions competing for the global title. Meanwhile, Italy’s new "Guide to Coffee" has crowned its top roasters and bars, highlighting Valtellina’s dominance, while Japan’s SCAJ 2026 event recorded record attendance of over 100,000 attendees.
Specialty Coffee: Baristas, Brewing Gear and Roasters — 2026-10-23
Top developments
World Barista Championship 2026 Kicks Off in Panama
The 2026 World Barista Championship (WBC) began on October 22 in Panama City, running through October 25. More than 50 national champions from around the world are competing on one of the industry’s most prestigious stages, with the final winner to be crowned this weekend.
SCAJ 2026 Sets Record Attendance in Tokyo
The Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) announced that its annual "Festival of Specialty Coffee" in Tokyo attracted a record-breaking 100,114 attendees, the highest number in the event’s history. The event, held from October 14–17, featured five national championship finals and the announcement of the "NEW PRODUCTS AWARD 2026" winners.
Italy’s New Coffee Guide Crowns Valtellina Roasters
The 2027 edition of the "Guide to Coffee and Roasters of Italy," curated by Andrej Godina and Mauro Illiano, has been released, reviewing 400 products and 218 locations. The guide awarded 170 "Tre Macinini" (three grinders) ratings, with a significant focus on the Valtellina region, where Gruppo Gimoka received six awards across espresso and moka categories.
Roast Magazine Announces 2027 Roaster of the Year Winners
Roast Magazine revealed the winners of its 2027 Roaster of the Year awards. The recognition highlights top-performing roasters globally, serving as a key benchmark for quality and innovation in the specialty coffee sector.
Espresso Italiano Champion Finals Set for Turin
Five barists have been selected as finalists for the Espresso Italiano Champion 2026. They will compete on November 6 at the Factory 1895 By Lavazza in Turin, with the winner earning a spot in the international finals.
Local view
In Japan, local media is buzzing about the "hydrogen roasting" techniques and sake-infused coffees showcased at SCAJ 2026, reflecting a trend toward experimental flavor profiles. In Italy, the Guida dei Caffè release has sparked discussions in la Repubblica and Comunicaffe about the shifting landscape of Italian espresso bars, noting that the top-rated spots are often not the traditional historic cafes one might expect. In South Korea, Food Today reports that the upcoming Seoul Cafe Show (Nov 11) will feature a revamped World Coffee Forum and a new "Bakery Alley," aiming to integrate coffee and baking trends for the Asian market.
Context & numbers
- 100,114: Total attendees at SCAJ 2026 in Tokyo, a record high for the event.
- 50+: Number of national champions competing in the 2026 World Barista Championship in Panama.
- 170: Number of coffee products awarded the highest "Tre Macinini" rating in Italy’s new 2027 coffee guide.
- $4,000: Approximate price of the La Marzocco Linea Micra, cited in recent gear reviews as a high-end but accessible entry into professional home espresso.
On the radar
- Espresso Italiano Champion Finals: November 6 in Turin, Italy.
- Seoul Cafe Show: Opens November 11 in Seoul, South Korea, with the 25th edition featuring new buyer-matching programs.
- Sanda Coffee Fest: November 6–8 in Sanda, Japan, featuring 22 roasters and a first-ever "Children’s Barista Cup".
- Coffee & Bakery Fair Season 2: October 29 – November 1 in Ilsan, South Korea, featuring a special pavilion for Thai roasters.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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