The Coffee of the Year competitions have been organized since 2017.
These competitions have become an important recognition in the industry, boosting both the revenue and brand awareness of many roasteries thanks to their wins. We aim to provide a platform for roasteries operating in the domestic market to promote coffee culture and elevate the appreciation of coffee roasting.
We have also expanded the competitions to include other categories, with contests now held for categories such as Filter Coffee of the Year, Decaffeinated Coffee, Espresso, Tea, and Kombucha. During the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnivals, awards are also given for the best Chocolates and Ice Creams in various categories.
Information about the 2025 competitions will be available soon.
If your company is interested in participating in our competitions or securing a booth at Northern Europe's largest coffee festival—or at the simultaneously held Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnivals – please get in touch
Check out the winners of the competitions over the years:
The Best Filter Coffees, Decaffeinated Coffees, Chocolates, Kombuchas, and Teas of the Year Were Awarded
On April 19, 2024, the best filter coffees, decaffeinated coffees, chocolates in four categories, teas in three categories, and kombuchas were honored at Northern Europe’s largest coffee festival, the Helsinki Coffee Festival, and the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnivals. The Filter Coffee of the Year was selected for the eighth time.
Once again, many coffees in the filter coffee competition originated from Colombia. Both the filter and decaffeinated categories' top three included several Colombian coffees, with only one coffee among the top three hailing from Honduras.
The Best Filter Coffee is Roasted in Helsinki, and the Best Decaffeinated Coffee in Espoo
The jury evaluated filter coffees from 22 roasteries. The winner was Good Life Coffee Roasters from Helsinki with its Colombian Monteblanco, mixed process by Rodrigo Sanchez coffee. The Best Decaffeinated Coffee was awarded to Espoon Kahvipaahtimo for its El Placer - Sebastian Ramirez's - Red Fruits decaf coffee.
This year saw 17 entries in the decaffeinated category—a 20% increase from last year. The growing popularity of decaf has led to increasingly high-quality options.
This year there were 17 entries in the decaffeinated category—a 20% increase from last year. The growing popularity of decaf has led to increasingly high-quality options.
Blind Tasting by a Professional Jury
The jury assessed the coffees for sweetness, balance, flavor, and aftertaste through blind tastings. The panel included coffee professionals and food industry influencers, such as barista Noora Ikonen, coffee expert Matias Merikukka, and representatives from the competition's main partner Wilfa, including coffee equipment specialist Niko Olkkonen.
An impartial professional barista prepared all filter and decaffeinated coffees in the competition. To ensure consistency and identical preparation conditions, the coffees were brewed using Wilfa’s Black Performance coffee maker, and the beans were ground with Wilfa’s Uniform grinder. The brewing method was chosen to allow coffee enthusiasts to easily replicate the winning flavor experiences at home.
The filter and decaffeinated coffees in the competition were prepared by an impartial professional barista. To ensure the consistency and uniform preparation of the coffees, they were brewed using Wilfa's Black Performance coffee maker, and the beans were ground with Wilfa's Uniform grinder. This method was chosen to make it easy for coffee enthusiasts to replicate the flavor experience of the Filter Coffee of the Year at home.
Filter Coffee of the Year
- Monteblanco, mixed process by Rodrigo Sanchez, Columbia, Good Life Coffee Roasters, Helsinki
- Heimar Collazos, Gesha, Colombia, Porin Paahtimo, Pori
- Lykke Can - Ignacio Sosa, Honduras, Lykke Kahvitilat, Kuopio
Decaffeinated Coffee of the Year
- El Placer - Sebastian Ramirez's - Red Fruits decaf, Kolumbia, Espoon Kahvipaahtimo, Espoo
- Kesämäki, Kolumbia, Lehmus Roastery, Lappeenranta
- Nap Queen, Kolumbia, Johan & Nyström, Helsinki/Stockholm
"The competition was tough, with coffees of higher quality than last year. A tight race, with many coffees receiving high scores," describes judge Matias Merikukka regarding the filter coffee competition.
"Both coffee competitions included bold coffees that were pleasantly surprising! Five years ago, you could clearly tell which coffees were decaffeinated. Nowadays, more time and effort go into decaf coffees," notes judge Niko Olkkonen.
"You can tell that more effort has been put into decaf coffees. The level is consistently rising. You wouldn’t distinguish whether these are decaf or regular coffees," remarks judge Noora Ikonen.
The Kombucha of the Year competition featured 10 different products. Judges included top chef Sasu Laukkonen, tea expert Jarkko Myllykangas, and Petra Tandefelt, chairperson of the Teenystävät Ry.
Kombucha of the Year
- Green Apple, Ohakune
- Lime Time, The Good Guys Kombucha
- Mandarin & Yuzu, Rudy's Kombucha
Teas of the Year were chosen in three categories: black, green, and flavored. Five teas competed in the black tea category, six in the green tea, and seven in the flavored tea. Judges were tea experts Marie Cazes, Jarkko Myllykangas, and Petra Tandefelt, chairperson of the Teenystävät Association.
Green Tea of the Year
- Sejak AAA, Teepolku Oy
- Grazy Diamond, Paahtimo Papu
- Sencha Vihreä tee, Inka Paahtimo
Black Tea of the Year
- Moon child, Paahtimo Papu
- Mei Zhan Jin Jun Mei, Teepolku
- Forsman Tee, Red Specialty, Aaro Forsman
Flavored Tea of the Year
- Appelsiini Musta tee, Inka Paahtimo
- Litsitee, Teepolku
- Kuutostee, inkivääri-eukalyptus, Lehmus Roastery
The Best Chocolate Bar, Vegan Chocolate Bar, Best Praline, and Vegan Praline were also selected at the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnival.
The Chocolate of the Year jury consisted of top chef Sasu Laukkonen, food journalists Sanna Mansikkamäki and Mariaana Nelimarkka, and dessert specialist Miiro Tähti.
Since 2019, the Best Chocolates have been chosen at the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnival. This year, the competition included four categories: Best Chocolate Bar (20 bars), Best Praline (15 chocolates), Best Vegan Chocolate Bar (18 bars), and Best Vegan Praline (13 chocolates).
Chocolate Bar of the Year
- Maldon merisuola - Paahdettu valkosuklaa, Vanhankaupungin Suklaa
- Wild Blueberry, Goodio
- Caramel, Xocolab
Vegan Chocolate Bar of the Year
- Vadelmasuklaa, Vanhankaupungin Suklaa
- Alkuperä tumma suklaa Meksiko 66%, Xocolab
- Dark chocolate-raspberries, Billnäs Chocolate Factory
Praline of the Year
- White chocolate-passion fruit, Billnäs Chocolate Factory
- Maitosuklaa & Ruskea voi, Vanhankaupungin Suklaa
- Guava Caramel, Xocolab
Vegan Praline of the Year
- Passiohedelmä, Vanhankaupungin Suklaa
- Kookos caramel, Xocolab
- Tumma suklaa appelsiini konvehti, Joy4Food
The Best Espressos and Ice Creams of the Year were also awarded
At the Helsinki Coffee Festival, Northern Europe’s largest coffee event, and the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnival held on April 19, the Best Espressos and Ice Creams in various categories were announced.
Best Espresso Roasted in Espoo
The jury selected the Best Espressos from 17 different roasters. The winners included an Ethiopian coffee from Espoon Kahvipaahtimo, a small roastery in Espoo.
The jury evaluated the sweetness, balance, flavor, and aftertaste of the coffees and teas, tasting them blind. Judges included roastery owner and 2023 Young Coffee Influencer of the Year Kimia Bergeson, barista Noora Ikonen, coffee researcher Tia Mäkinen, and coffee professional John Söderlund.
Some competitors prepared their espressos at their booths, while others used espresso machines provided by La Marzocco.
Espresso of the Year
- Dukamo Family - Natural Dry Anaerobic, Espoon Kahvipaahtimo, Espoo
- Etiopia Natural, Inka Paahtimo, Helsinki
- Edilson Mamian Pink bourbon natural, Colombia, Pirkanmaan Paahtimo
The judges praised the variety of espressos available.
“There’s something for everyone in the competition,” says judge Tia Mäkinen.
"There were many interesting espressos!" notes judge Kimia Bergeson.
"Acidity was strongly present! From classic espresso to new-age styles, competitors ventured boldly with classic espressos too," describes judge John Söderlund.
"Clearer distinctions than in filter coffees; a wider range overall," comments Noora Ikonen, also a judge for the Filter Coffee and Decaf Coffee competitions.
The winning espresso was highly praised: “The flavors were excellently balanced,” says Söderlund, while Bergeson describes it as “Very sweet upfront with a wonderfully smooth aftertaste.”
Ice Cream of the Year Awards
Judges included journalist and beer sommelier Maria Markus, food writer Mariaana Nelimarkka, entrepreneur and chef Miki Puikkonen, and Robert’s Coffee gelato master Toni Sinkkonen.
Vuoden jäätelö -kilpailuissa kisattiin kolmessa eri kategoriassa:
The competition was held in three categories:
- Ice Cream of the Year - 13 different ice creams
- Gelato of the Year - 14 different gelatos
- Sorbet of the Year - 13 different sorbets
The judges tasted the ice creams blind and evaluated their texture, flavor, aftertaste, and appearance. The Ice Cream of the Year has been chosen since 2019 at the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnival.
Ice Cream of the Year
- Lakritsijäätelö, Pappagallo
- Sweet Santa Kaurakaneli, Sweet Santa
- Kuningatarkermajäätelö, Närpiön Jäätelötehdas
Gelato of the Year
- Pistachio, Cafetoria Roastery
- Suklaa-hasselpähkinä-nutella!, Gelato Laurentius
- Paahdettu voi-valkosuklaagelato, Art Gelato
Sorbet of the Year
- Mango-Passion fruit sorbet with Orange blossom honey, Cafetoria Roastery
- Mangosorbetti, Pappagallo
- Melonisorbetti, Dream caffe / Gelato Laurentius
"High-quality ice creams. It was easy to pick the best ones. There were also some surprising and discordant flavors," comments judge Mariaana Nelimarkka.
"It’s great that trendy colors have made their way into ice creams. Strong red and yellow tones. Flavors are now more intense and pronounced, which is great," observes judge Miki Puikkonen.
"A good level, quality products, and intense flavors. Also, surprising flavors I’ve never tasted before, particularly in the sorbets," describes judge Maria Markus.
The best filter coffee, decaffeinated coffee, chocolate, ice cream, and kombucha of the year were awarded
At Northern Europe's largest coffee festival, Helsinki Coffee Festival, and the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnival, the best filter coffee, decaffeinated coffee, kombucha, ice cream, and chocolate of the year were awarded on April 21. This was the seventh time the filter coffee award was presented, while the awards for decaffeinated coffee and kombucha debuted this year.
This year, the coffee competition showcased the excellence of Colombian coffee, with several top-performing entries among both filter and decaffeinated coffees roasted in Finland.
Best filter coffee roasted in Lappeenranta and decaf in Helsinki
A jury selected the winners from 20 different roasteries. The award for the best filter coffee went to Lehmus Roastery's Colombian specialty roast, Pitalito Huila, Red Bourbon Arabica (Lappeenranta). For decaffeinated coffee, the winner was Good Life Coffee's La Serrania Decaf, Colombia (Helsinki). The decaf category featured 14 competing coffees.
The jury assessed the coffees based on sweetness, balance, aftertaste, and an overall rating. The tasting was conducted as a blind test. The jury was comprised of coffee professionals and food industry influencers, including restaurateur Markus Hurskainen, coffee professional Matias Merikukka, Ekberg confectionery production manager Sergei Muratov, as well as representatives from the main competition partner Wilfa: coffee equipment specialists Niko Olkkonen and Anna Willberg.
Filter and decaffeinated coffees in the competition were prepared by an impartial professional barista. To ensure consistency and identical brewing conditions, the competition coffees were brewed using the Wilfa Black Performance coffee maker, and the beans were ground with the Wilfa Uniform grinder. This method was chosen to allow enthusiasts to easily replicate the same taste experience at home when enjoying the Filter Coffee of the Year.
Filter Coffee of the Year
- Erikoispaahto, Kolumbia Pitalito Huila, Lehmus Roastery, Lappeenranta
- Sweet & Funky, Country Colombia Nestor Lasso, Kaffa Roastery, Helsinki
- Rwanda single origin, Lovisa Kafferosteri, Loviisa
Decaffeinated Coffee of the Year
- La Serrania Decaf, Colombia, Good Life Coffee, Helsinki
- Kofeiiniton luomukahvi (Honduras), Paahtimo Papu, Jyväskylä
- Cafe del Micay kofeiiniton, Kolumbia, Kahwe, Tampere
“The filter coffee competition had an extremely high standard with very high-quality coffees,” said jury member Matias Merikukka.
“In the decaffeinated coffee category, it was surprising how good they tasted. They tasted like quality coffees,” noted Anna Willberg, one of the jury members.
Kombuchas of the Year Chosen from 10 Products
Kombucha of the Year
- Blueberry Pie, Ohakune Kombucha, Espoo
- Fresh ginger kombucha, Good Guys Kombucha, Tampere
- Nokkonen, Nokkos Company, Helsinki
The Best Ice Creams, Vegan Ice Creams, Chocolates, and Vegan Chocolates Also Awarded
At the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnival, the winners of the year’s ice creams, vegan ice creams, chocolates, and vegan chocolates were determined. In the Ice Cream of the Year competition, two different gelato flavors from the same company received identical top scores: pistachio and white chocolate pistachio.
The best ice creams and chocolates were chosen by restaurateur and bakery entrepreneur Markus Hurskainen, food journalist Satu Koivisto, and food journalist Sanna Mansikkamäki.
Nine ice creams competed for the Ice Cream of the Year title, and 11 for the Vegan Ice Cream of the Year title. Fourteen different chocolates and 15 vegan chocolates competed in their respective categories.
Ice Cream of the Year
- White chocolate variegated pistachio sekä pistaasi (gelato), Il Duo
- Lakritsi-Sitruuna jäätelö, Sweet Santa
- Chocolate Caramel almond, Friidu
Vegan Ice Cream of the Year
- Mansikka (gelato), Kahvitupa Laurentius,
- Salty caramel with roasted almonds, Naturli
- Sitruuna (gelato), Il Duo
Chocolate of the Year
- Choco Deli, Milk Chocolate 35% Liquorice
- Kalamansi sitrus konvehti, Xocolab
- Paahdettu karamelli konvehti / roasted caramel praline, Chocosomnia
Vegan Chocolate of the Year
- Mustaherukka konvehti, Xocolab
- Orange & Almond, Choco Deli
- Tummasuklaa-karpalolevy, Chocosomnia
The Best Espresso, Teas, and Roastery of the Year Recognized
Northern Europe’s largest coffee festival, the Helsinki Coffee Festival, and the tastiest event of the year, the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnival, broke attendance records as over 10,000 visitors filled the Cable Factory over the weekend. During the event, the best coffees, teas, kombuchas, ice creams, and chocolates of the year were awarded. The winners of the filter coffee, decaffeinated coffee, kombucha, ice cream, and chocolate categories were announced on Friday morning. Winners in other categories were announced during the weekend, with the 2023 Roastery of the Year revealed on Sunday.
The 2023 Roastery of the Year is Kaffa Roastery, a Helsinki-based micro roastery that excelled in the Filter Coffee and Espresso competitions, public voting, and the Roastery Pitch competition.
The Roastery of the Year award is determined based on performance in the Filter Coffee of the Year category (40%), Espresso of the Year category (40%), the Roastery Pitch (10%), and public voting (10%).
Roastery of the Year
- Kaffa Roastery, Helsinki
- Lehmus Roastery, Lappeenranta
- Good Life Coffee, Helsinki
The Young Coffee Influencer of the Year award has been given at the event since 2018, with an increasing focus on recognizing young professionals in the field. The Young Coffee Influencer of the Year competition was introduced in 2022, and the winner is chosen based on public voting.
Young Coffee Influencer of the Year
- Kimia Bergeson
- Markus Ketola
- Simo Niiranen
The Best Espresso is Roasted in Pirkanmaa
The jury selected the best espressos from 16 different roasteries. The winner was Pirkanmaa-based micro roastery’s Edilson Mamian, Colombia.
The Best Green Tea of the Year was Kiri from Helsinki-based Théhuone, and the Best Black Tea of the Year was Darjeeling FTGFOP from Lappeenranta’s Makea Coffee.
The espresso competition jury comprised coffee professional and Unroasted founder Alexandre Figueiredo, music industry influencer and coffee enthusiast Juhani Merimaa, Sekel Bar & Restaurant’s restaurateur and sommelier Linda Stenman-Langhoff, Master Chef Sasu Laukkonen, and Ekberg confectionery production manager Sergei Muratov.
The tea competition jury included tea expert Jarkko Myllykangas, Sekel Bar & Restaurant’s restaurateur and sommelier Linda Stenman-Langhoff, food journalist Mariaana Nelimarkka, Master Chef Sasu Laukkonen, and Ekberg confectionery production manager Sergei Muratov.
Tea and coffee companies prepared the espressos and teas at their booths. Eight teas competed in the Green Tea category, seven in the Black Tea category, and nine in the Flavored Tea category.
Espresso of the Year
1. Edilson Mamian, Kolumbia, Pirkanmaan paahtimo
2. Nestor Lasso, Kolumbia, Kaffa Roastery
3. Brazil Bob-o-link, Johan & Nyström
Green Tea of the Year
1. Kiri, Théhuone
2. Wu Feng Mao Jian, Kiina, Teepolku
3. Kuutostee, Lehmus Roastery
Black Tea of the Year
1. Darjeeling FTGFOP, Makea Coffee
2. Darjeeling Marybong, Johan & Nyström
3. Jin Jun Mei, Théhuone
Flavored Tea of the Year
1. Grand Old Rose, Paahtimo Papu
2. White Apricot, Théhuone
3. Satsuma Sencha, Teepolku
At Northern Europe’s largest coffee festival, the Helsinki Coffee Festival, the best filter coffees, espressos, black teas, and green teas of the year were chosen today, April 22. The Filter Coffee of the Year competition was held for the sixth time, Espresso of the Year for the fourth time, Black Tea of the Year for the second time, and Green Tea of the Year for the first time.
This year, the competition featured a significant number of coffees from Colombia and Ethiopia.
The Best Filter Coffee is Roasted in Pori and the Best Espresso in Lappeenranta
The jury selected the year’s best coffees from among 13 different roasters. The winner of the filter coffee category was the Colombian Edilson Mamian (Pink Bourbon natural) coffee from Pori-based micro roastery Porin Paahtimo. The Espresso of the Year award went to Halo Beriti, Ethiopia by Makea Coffee, a micro roastery in Lappeenranta.
The jury evaluated the coffees based on sweetness, balance, aftertaste, and provided an overall score. The tastings were conducted as blind tests. The panel consisted of coffee professionals and food industry influencers, including restaurateur Markus Hurskainen, barista master and specialty coffee consultant Jarno Peräkylä, Juuso Viljanen from the Uuttaja blog, and restaurateur Maiju Åstedt.
All participating roasteries prepared their filter coffees using their preferred methods at their booths.
Filter Coffee of the Year
Edilson Mamian, (Pink Bourbon natural), Kolumbia, Porin paahtimo
El Salvador Cacahuatique, Kahwe Roastery Tampereelta
Bomba de Fruta - Kolumbia, Rost CO. Helsingistä
“Competition in the filter coffee category was very close. There were significant differences in the quality of both the raw coffee and its preparation. In the espresso competition, there was a wide range, from dark roasts to light roasts. The winning coffees excelled in sweetness, balance, and aftertaste,” said jury member Jarno Peräkylä.
“The winning filter coffee is sweet, fruity, and refined. All the fruitiness of the coffee cherry is present in these beans, offering a candy-like fruitiness,” commented Teijo Villa from Porin Paahtimo.
Espresso of the Year
Halo Beriti, Etiopia, Makea Coffee Lappeenrannasta
Edilson Mamian, Kolumbia, Pirkanmaan paahtimo
Limited Las Lajas Costa Rica, Lehmus Roastery Lappeenrannasta
“The winning espresso is a very light roast but incredibly versatile, with plenty of flavors—milk chocolate, forest berries, tropical fruit, and a rum-like character,” described Visa Tuovinen from Makea Coffee.
Black Tea of the Year
- Cha Assam, Pirkanmaan paahtimo
- Dear Tea Society – Daring Dorothy, Johan & Nyström
- Cha Nilgiri, Porin paahtimo
Green Tea of the Year
- Dear Tea Society – Cool Miss Green, Johan & Nyström
- Kuutostee, inkivääri-eukalyptus, Lehmus Roastery
- Japan Fukamushi Sencha TOKUJO, Théhuone
“The winner of the black tea category is a high-quality organic tea from the Assam region. It’s suitably robust, powerful, and malty,” said Pekka Heinonen of Pirkanmaan Paahtimo.
“The winning green tea is a fresh organic tea whose delightful character is complemented by mango and sea buckthorn,” described Ville Salo from Johan & Nyström.
The Black Tea of the Year competition featured 8 teas, while 7 companies participated in the Green Tea of the Year category.
“Assessing the teas was challenging, and the flavors varied greatly,” noted jury member Peräkylä.
The best coffees, espressos, and teas of the year are available for purchase at the coffee festival while supplies last. The 2022 Filter Coffee, Espresso, Black Tea, and Green Tea of the Year were selected from among the roasters and tea companies participating in the Helsinki Coffee Festival, whose products are available in the Finnish market.
The Best Filter Coffees of the Year Have Been Chosen
Northern Europe’s largest coffee festival, the Helsinki Coffee Festival, once again hosted the annual filter coffee competition, held without an audience due to the COVID-19 situation. This year marked the fifth selection of Filter Coffee of the Year from among 19 different roasteries.
Traditionally, the Helsinki Coffee Festival selects the Filter Coffee, Espresso, and Tea of the Year. Due to the pandemic, the Filter Coffee of the Year competition was held without an audience for the second time. A total of 19 different filter coffees competed this year. Next year, the competition will be held at the Helsinki Coffee Festival from April 22 to April 24, 2022. This year's competition featured the broadest range of coffee origins to date. Most of the coffees came from Ethiopia and Colombia, but there were also entries from Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Kenya, Laos, Nicaragua, and Peru.
“It’s great that the competition included such high-quality coffees. The overall standard of the coffees was excellent, with many offering berry-like and fruity notes, as well as acidity,” said one of the jury members, coffee professional Elina Rahikainen.
“It was nice to see some light-roast coffees in the competition, where the flavors and nuances were easily identifiable,” said another juror, coffee expert Lari Salomaa.
The Best Filter Coffee is from a roastery in Lappeenranta
The jury selected the Filter Coffee of the Year from among 19 different entries. The winning coffee was the Limited Negele Gorbitu Ethiopia from Lappeenranta micro roastery Lehmus Roastery. The jury evaluated the coffees on sweetness, balance, and aftertaste, assigning each coffee an overall score. All tastings were conducted blind. The panel included coffee professionals and food industry influencers, such as coffee expert Hanna Huhtonen, coffee influencer and author Lari Salomaa, sommelier Kirsi Seppänen, coffee professional Elina Rahikainen, and social media influencer and barista Ali Qasim.
The competition coffees were brewed by an impartial professional barista. To ensure consistency and uniform brewing conditions, the competition coffees were prepared using a Moccamaster CD Grand AO machine, and the coffee beans were ground with a Wilfa Uniform WSFBS-100B grinder. The brewing method was chosen to allow coffee enthusiasts to easily replicate the winning filter coffee experience at home.
Filter Coffee of the Year
- Limited Negele Gorbitu Ethiopia, Lehmus Roastery (pienpaahtimo Lappeenrannasta)
- Halo Beriti Ethiopia, Makea Coffee (pienpaahtimo Lappeenrannasta)
- Black Diamond, Kahwe (pienpaahtimo Tampereelta)
“The winning coffee was soft and multidimensional, with a lingering berry-like and caramel flavor,” described Seppänen.
“The coffee had floral notes, lime, and apple, along with plenty of sweetness and acidity. The flavor evolved as the temperature cooled,” explained Huhtonen.
“The taste revealed a clear fruitiness. It would be interesting to try this prepared manually, for example with a V60,” added Salomaa.
“The winning coffee was strong, fruity, and had distinct, clear flavors,” Qasim described.
“The coffee was extremely well-balanced, with fig flavors,” commented Rahikainen.
The winning coffee, Limited Negele Gorbitu Ethiopia, originates from the Negele Gorbitu farming community in the Yirgacheffe region of Ethiopia. It is a Heirloom Arabica variety, fermented for 35–48 hours in water tanks and then dried under the sun for 18 days. The coffee is grown at an altitude of 1,995–2,020 meters above sea level. Lehmus Roastery describes the coffee as smooth and full-bodied, with aromas of raspberry, citrus, and fruitiness.
Here Are the Best Filter Coffees of the Year
Northern Europe's largest coffee festival had to be cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Helsinki Coffee Festival still held the competition for Filter Coffee of the Year today. This marks the fourth time that the winner was chosen.
At the coffee festival, the Filter Coffee, Espresso, and Black Tea of the Year have traditionally been selected. Due to the pandemic, the event was canceled, but the Filter Coffee competition took place this year. A total of 19 different coffees participated in the filter coffee competition.
"This year’s competition featured a wide variety of coffees, from one end to the other. There were many berry-forward coffees from around the world. The most coffees came from Kenya and Colombia," said Lari Salomaa, a coffee professional and writer on the jury.
“It’s wonderful to see so many small roasters involved and to experience the excellent quality of coffee offered by Finnish micro-roasters. Over the past decade, the level of Finnish roasters has risen significantly. It’s also fantastic to see so many exceptional Kenyan coffees in the competition. Although there was a lot of variety in the coffees, the majority were clearly of high quality,” said Viivi Ahtiainen, a coffee industry influencer.
“It’s also great to see some larger roasters involved, responding to market challenges and trends,” Salomaa continued.
The Best Filter Coffee is from a Small Roastery in Pori
The jury selected the Filter Coffee of the Year from among 19 different coffees. The winner was the Kenia AB Fram coffee from the small roastery in Pori, Porin Paahtimo. The jury evaluated the coffees on sweetness, balance, and aftertaste. All coffees were tasted blind. The jury consisted of coffee professionals and food industry influencers, including coffee expert Viivi Ahtiainen, wine specialist Tuomas Meriluoto, coffee influencer and writer Lari Salomaa, and chef and cookbook author Meri-Tuuli Väntsi.
To ensure consistency and comparable brewing conditions, the competition coffees were brewed by an impartial professional barista. The coffees were brewed using a Moccamaster Kbgc982 ao machine, and the coffee beans were ground with a Wilfa WSFB-100S grinder. The chosen brewing method was also designed to ensure that coffee enthusiasts could easily replicate the experience of tasting the Filter Coffee of the Year at home.
Filter Coffee of the Year
1. Kenia AB Fram, Porin Paahtimo
2. Kenya AA Gatina, Cafetoria Roastery
3. ”A+RPR” by Artisan & Robert Paulig Roastery (Kolumbia)
“The winning coffee tasted elegant and plum-like. It was the kind of coffee you'd enjoy after a meal at a celebration, a perfect catering coffee,” described Meri-Tuuli Väntsi.
“The coffee had a warm, red currant flavor. Its taste improved as it cooled, and it was balanced between sweetness and acidity,” Ahtiainen described.
The winning coffee is a washed Kenyan from the southwestern region of Kenya. It was grown in the Kiambu area in mineral-rich, red clay soil at an altitude of 1,860 meters. The coffee varieties are SL28 and SL34. Fram Coffee Farm has been in operation since 1958 and is led by James Kariuki.
The 2020 Filter Coffee of the Year was selected from among 19 different roasteries whose coffees were set to participate in the Helsinki Coffee Festival.
Roastery + Coffee
Robert Paulig Roastery + ”A+RPR” by Artisan & Robert Paulig Roastery
Finca Las Ventanas + Finca Las Ventanas tilakahvi, kolumbialainen
Kaffa Roastery + DIEGO SAMUEL, Colombia, El Tambo, Cauca, El Paraiso
Makea Coffee + Shantawene, etiopialainen
Johan & Nyström + Nicaragua, Un regalo de dios
Caffi + Etiopia Natural Nensebo Refisa
Rost Co. + Kenia, Sereng AA
Inka Paahtimo + Costa Rica, La ortiga
Porin Paahtimo + Kenia AB Fram
Pirkanmaan Paahtimo + Kenia Wamuguma AA
Vallilan Paahtimo (Meira) + Honduras Lempira
Lehmus Roastery + Kolumbia Jose Luis Valdesin tilalta
Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo + N:o 2
Slow Forest Coffee + Slow Forest Coffee, Light Roast
Paulig + Café Reykjavík
Cafetoria + Kenya AA Gatina
Kahwe + Ruanda Muka Kivu
Zóegas + Forza!
RPS Roastery + Afro Fusion Mixtape
The Best Black Tea, Filter Coffee, and Espresso of the Year Were Chosen at the Coffee Festival Last Weekend
At the fifth edition of Northern Europe's largest coffee festival, the Best Black Tea, Filter Coffee, and Espresso of the year were selected for the first time, along with the third annual awards for Finland’s Best Roastery and Café. The Finnish championships were held in coffee tasting and Latte Art.
Over the three-day festival, hundreds of coffees and tea varieties were tasted, various competitions took place, and attendees had the chance to unwind in the Silent Tea Room and participate in coffee meditation. The Cable Factory was filled with both small and large coffee roasters from Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Peru, and Indonesia. The festival saw its largest turnout ever, with 6,500 visitors filling the Cable Factory.
"This year, our event was particularly successful. Festival-goers spent a lot of time at the event, and we received exceptionally good feedback on the warm atmosphere and the new, comprehensive content. Tea lovers also discovered our event, as tea was present as a natural companion to coffee," says event organizer Maija Kestilä.
The Best Black Tea, Filter Coffee, Espresso, Roastery, and Café
At the festival, for the first time, the Best Black Tea, and for the third time, the Best Filter Coffee and Espresso were selected on Saturday, April 13. The jury selected the Best Filter Coffee from a list of 18 different coffees. The Espresso competition included espressos from 14 different roasters. The Best Black Tea was chosen from 10 unflavored black teas.
The winners were: from Filter Coffees, Kenia Nguttu AA from the Tallinn-based roastery The Brick Roastery, and from Espressos, Colombia La Cristalina Bourbon from the Lahti-based roastery Caffin.
The jury evaluated the coffee's sweetness, balance, and aftertaste. The panel consisted of coffee enthusiasts and food industry influencers, including chef Henri Alen, coffee industry expert Hanna Huhtonen, actor Eero Ritala, and coffee fans Elisabeth Rundlöf and Sami Singh, who were selected as judges through social media.
Best Black Tea:
1. Théhuoneen musta tee Yunnan Organic Wild Black
2. Pirkanmaan paahtimon musta tee Organic Cha Darjeeling Black
3. The Good Guys Kombuchan musta tee Copper Sunset (Singharaja Wirytips)
Best Filter Coffee:
1. The Brick Roasteryn kahvi Kenia Nguttu AA
2. Tied for second place: Cafetoria Roasteryn kahvi Kenya Gayuku-ini AA sekä Robert Paulig Roasteryn kahvi Finca El Paraiso Plum
3. Caffin kahvi Etiopia Chelelektu Natural
Best Espresso:
1. Caffin espresso Colombia La Cristalina Bourbon
2. Johan & Nyströmin espresso Fundamental
3. Pauligin espresso Tea Rose Paulig Kulma
In a survey conducted during the Helsinki Coffee Festival and on the event's website, the audience had the opportunity to vote for Finland's Best Café. The Best Roastery in Finland was determined this year based on the public vote, a roastery pitch event, and points from the Filter Coffee competition. The title of Best Café in Finland was awarded to Kaffa Roastery in the Punavuori district of Helsinki, and the Best Roastery in Finland was awarded to Robert Paulig Roastery located in Tolkkinen.
Finland’s Best Café:
1. Kaffa Roastery, Pursimiehenkatu 29 A, Helsinki
2. Good Life Coffee, Kolmas linja 17, Helsinki
3. Satamatie 6, Lappeenranta
Finland’s Best Roastery:
1. Robert Paulig Roastery, Porvoo
2. Kaffa Roastery, Helsinki
3. Paulig, Helsinki
Best Filter Coffee and Espresso Selected at the Coffee Festival This Weekend
North Europe's largest coffee festival, Helsinki Coffee Festival, brought together Finnish and international roasters, coffee professionals, and coffee enthusiasts this weekend. The event featured the selection of the Best Filter Coffee and the Best Espresso, as well as the second public voting for the Best Finnish Roaster and Café. Competitions were also held for the Finnish championships in coffee tasting and filter coffee brewing. Helsinki Coffee Festival filled Kaapelitehdas with nearly 6000 visitors.
Held for the fourth time this weekend, the Helsinki Coffee Festival once again achieved great success. During the three-day event, attendees tasted various coffees from around the world, learned to brew coffee using different methods, and were trained in maintaining and cleaning equipment. Discussions took place on topics such as coffee origin, the importance of water, coffee trends, and the factors that affect the quality and taste of coffee. Additionally, the public had the chance to learn, try, and taste in the coffee professionals' labs provided by the booths at the festival.
“We had a record number of coffee businesses and international roasters with us this year,” says event organizer Maija Kestilä.
Best Filter Coffee, Espresso, Roaster, and Café
For the second time at the festival, the Best Filter Coffee and the Best Espresso were selected on Saturday, April 21. The jury chose the Best Filter Coffee in front of the public from 16 different roasters’ coffees. The Espresso competition featured espressos from 15 different roasters.
The winners were: Best Filter Coffee from the Lahti-based Caffin’s Ethiopia Kayon Mountain Natural coffee and Best Espresso from the Voikkaa-based Inka Paahtimo’s Natural Ethiopia.
The jury evaluated the coffees for their sweetness, balance, and aftertaste. The jury consisted of food and coffee industry influencers, including food writer Hanna Gullichsen, Liemessä blog author Jenni Häyrinen, blogger Viena K, 2017 Barista of the Year Jarno Peräkylä, Tero Rehula from Slurp coffee service, and coffee blogger Juuso Viljanen from Uuttaja.
1. Caffi, Ethiopia Kayon Mountain Natural
2. Lehmus Roastery, Gesha 1931
3. Rocket Bean Roastery, Rocket Bean Indonesia
Best Espresso
1. Inka Paahtimo, Ethiopia Gelana Abaya
2. Tres Cabezas, Yirgacheffe Kochere Ethiopia
3. Rocket Bean Roastery, Rocket Bean Magic Pussy
In a survey conducted at the Helsinki Coffee Festival and on the event's website*, the public had the chance to vote for the Best Finnish Roaster and Café. The titles of Best Café and Best Roaster were awarded to the small Lappeenranta-based roastery Lehmus Roastery.
Best Café in Finland
1. Satamatie 6, Lappeenranta
2. Kaffa Roastery, Pursimiehenkatu 29 A, Helsinki
3. Good Life Coffee, Kolmas linja 17, Helsinki
Best Roaster in Finland
1. Lehmus Roastery, Lappeenranta
2. Kaffa Roastery, Helsinki
3. Good Life Coffee, Helsinki
Best Filter Coffee and Espresso Selected at the Coffee Festival This Weekend
North Europe's largest coffee festival, Helsinki Coffee Festival, brought together Finnish and international roasters, coffee professionals, and enthusiasts this weekend. The event featured the selection of the Best Filter Coffee and Best Espresso, as well as the public voting for the Best Finnish Roaster and Café for the second time. Helsinki Coffee Festival filled Kaapelitehdas with nearly 6,000 coffee lovers this weekend. Competitions also took place for the Finnish championships in coffee tasting, filter coffee brewing, and the title of Barista of the Year.
Held for the third time this weekend, the Helsinki Coffee Festival once again achieved great popularity, growing by over 20% in terms of visitor numbers. During the three-day event, attendees learned how to brew coffee using various methods, maintain and clean equipment, and recognize different flavor nuances and pairings. The event also included discussions on coffee cultivation, origin, ethics, innovations, and oddities, as well as factors that affect coffee’s quality and flavor. Additionally, the public had the opportunity to learn, try, and taste under the guidance of coffee professionals at the booths at the festival.
"It's great to see more and more people becoming interested in what coffee they drink and how to make their favorite drink of better quality at home," says event organizer Maija Kestilä.
Best Filter Coffee, Espresso, Roaster, and Café
At the festival, the Best Filter Coffee and Best Espresso were selected for the first time on Saturday, April 22. The jury chose the Best Filter Coffee in front of the public from 15 different Finnish roasters. The Espresso competition featured espressos from 16 different roasters. The winners were: Best Filter Coffee from the Helsinki-based small roaster Rost & Co.’s Guatemalan Finca Montejo and Best Espresso from the Stockholm-based coffee roaster Johan & Nyström’s 5th Estate. The jury evaluated the coffees based on their sweetness, balance, and aftertaste.
Best Filter Coffee
1. Rost & Co., Finca Montejo, Guatemala
2. Jaettu sija: Cafetoria Roastery, Karimikui AA, Kenya
2. Jaettu sija: Good Life Coffee, Wote, Ethiopia
Best Espresso
1. Johan & Nyström, 5th ESTATE
2. Kaffa Roastery, Espindola, Ecuador
3. Paulig, Amaro Gayo By Asnakech Thomas, Ethiopia
In a survey conducted at the Helsinki Coffee Festival and on the event’s website*, the public had the chance to vote for the Best Finnish Roaster and Café. The titles of Best Roaster and Best Café went to the small Lappeenranta-based Lehmus Roastery and the Helsinki-based café/roastery Kaffa Roastery.
Best Café in Finland
1. Kaffa Roastery, Pursimiehenkatu 29 A, Helsinki
2. Johan & Nyström, Kanavaranta 7 C, Helsinki
3. Good Life Coffee, Kolmas linja 17, Helsinki
Best Roaster in Finland
1. Lehmus Roastery, Lappeenranta
2. Kaffa Roastery, Helsinki
3. Paulig, Helsinki