Press Release, April 28, 2025, 7:00 AM
Espressos of the Year, Limited Edition Filter Coffees of the Year, Ice Creams of the Year, and Roastery of the Year Announced at Cable Factory
The Cable Factory in Helsinki once again filled with food lovers as Northern Europe’s largest coffee festival, the Helsinki Coffee Festival—held annually since 2015—and the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnival, organized since 2018, were held for the fourth time simultaneously.
The Helsinki Coffee Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary. Over 10,000 visitors attended the event during the weekend.This year’s event saw a record number of international exhibitors, including coffee producers from Burundi, the Netherlands, Colombia, Indonesia, Lithuania, Germany, Turkey, Uganda, Vietnam, Estonia; a chocolate company from Uganda; coffee, chocolate, and cocoa producers from Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. There were also tea-based soft drinks from Poland, and kombucha and tea from Latvia. Coffee farmers from Colombia were also present.
The event awarded winners in the categories of Espresso of the Year, Limited Edition Filter Coffee of the Year, and Roastery of the Year. Espresso of the Year was chosen for the eighth time, and the Limited Edition filter coffee award was presented for the first time. The event also recognized the Ice Cream of the Year, Vegan Ice Cream of the Year, Gelato of the Year, and Sorbet of the Year.
Preliminary competitions held on April 1st awarded Filter Coffee of the Year, Decaf Filter Coffee of the Year, Teas of the Year in four categories, Kombucha of the Year, and Chocolates of the Year in three categories.
Top Espressos and Limited Edition Filter Coffees Roasted in Helsinki
A jury blindly evaluated espressos from 15 different roasteries. The winner was Inka Paahtimo’s Colombia Jairo Arcila – Coconut coferment.
This year’s panel included world-class head judge Anne Lunell, a respected coffee professional, founder of a roastery, and former Swedish Barista and Brewers Cup Champion. Other judges included coffee consultant and social media influencer Ali Alabdelrazaq (@baristaali), who has judged at festivals in Milan and the UAE; Jarno Peräkylä, a seasoned coffee expert and two-time Finnish Barista Champion; Kimia Bergeson, roastery owner and founder of Coffee Competitions Finland; and Tommi Turunen, roastery founder and 2024 Mock Brewers Cup Champion.
The jury assessed espresso based on sweetness, balance, acidity, and aftertaste. All tastings were conducted blind.
Some competitors prepared their espressos at their own booths, others used the La Marzocco Linea Mini espresso machine.
Espresso of the Year 2025
1. Inka Paahtimo – Colombia Jairo Arcila – Coconut coferment
2. Pirkanmaan Paahtimo – Edilson Mamian, Colombia, Pink Bourbon Natural
3. Good Life Coffee Roasters – La Parada, Anaerobic Natural Gesha by Alberto Martinez
“One espresso clearly stood out—it was the winner. A truly delicious shot,” said judge Tommi Turunen.
“Clear winners,” said judge Barista Ali.
“The winning espresso was very tasty,” added judge Jarno Peräkylä.
The same panel also selected the Limited Edition Filter Coffee of the Year. This category allows roasteries to showcase their most innovative and even wildest offerings, where the coffee's story and processing method are part of the judging criteria. Beyond that, anything goes—roasteries are encouraged to boldly create new trends and flavors.
The jury blind-tested filter coffees from 16 different roasteries. The winner was once again Inka Paahtimo’s Colombia Jairo Arcila – Coconut coferment.
Judging criteria included sweetness, balance, acidity, aftertaste, and the story behind the coffee. All tastings were blind.Competitors prepared their competition coffees freely at their own booths.
Limited Edition Filter Coffee of the Year 2025
1. Inka Paahtimo – Colombia Jairo Arcila – Coconut coferment
2. Kaffa Roastery – Banana Washed, Jairo Arcila
3. Haimoon Kahvipaahtimo – Colombia Campo Hermoso Sudan Rume
“Most coffees on the table were fantastic, and the wildest co-fermented ones were my favorites,” said judge Tommi Turunen.
“Beautiful stories and enchanting flavors,” added judge Barista Ali.
Ice Creams of the Year Chosen in Four Categories
Judges for the Ice Cream of the Year competition included media personality Joona Hellman, dairy industry professional Iida Pirnes, Culinary Lead and restaurant/bakery consultant Markus Hurskainen, and food journalist/producer/stylist Kati Pohja, chairperson of the Finnish Food Journalists Association.
The competition featured four categories:
- Ice Cream of the Year – 18 entries
- Vegan Ice Cream of the Year – 9 entries
- Gelato of the Year – 12 entries
- Sorbet of the Year – 12 entries
Judges evaluated the texture, taste, aftertaste, and appearance through blind tastings. The awards have been presented since 2019 at the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnival.
Ice Cream of the Year 2025
1. Cafetoria – Gelatoria – Vegan Liquorice
2. Linnankosken Vuohitila – Nana's Apple-Cinnamon
3. Sweet Santa – Strawberry-Vanilla
Vegan Ice Cream of the Year 2025
1. Cafetoria – Gelatoria – Vegan Liquorice
2. Art Gelato – Lemon-Liquorice
3. Friidu – Salty Liquorice & Lemon Swirl stick
Gelato of the Year 2025
1. Oksa Gelato – Pistachio Gelato
2. Gelato Laurentius – Caramel-Forest Berry
3. Art Gelato – White Chocolate-Raspberry
Sorbet of the Year 2025
1. Gelato Laurentius – Peach
2. Oksa Gelato – Blackcurrant
3. Pappagallo – Raspberry
“The competition was incredibly high-level, but the best flavors and textures stood out clearly. It was great to see new and surprising flavors,” said judge Kati Pohja.
“A fireworks display of flavors that surprised time after time—Finland's ice cream scene is magical and full of amazing tastes!” said Joona Hellman.
“The sorbets burst with fresh berry and fruit flavors. They were all delicious, making judging especially difficult in this category,” said Iida Pirnes.
Roastery of the Year Found in Helsinki
The Roastery of the Year was chosen from 19 roasteries. The selection was based on combined scores from the Filter Coffee, Decaf Filter Coffee, Espresso, and Limited Edition Filter Coffee competitions.
Roastery of the Year 2025
1. Good Life Coffee Roastery
2. Kaffa Roastery
3. Pirkanmaan Paahtimo
4. Espoon Kahvipaahtimo
5. Makea Coffee
“This year’s top three have been part of the Helsinki Coffee Festival since the beginning in 2015. It’s a pleasure to see the same passionate creators still shining and advancing Finnish coffee culture,” said festival founders Maija Kestilä, Tommi Harju, and Matti Laukko.
More Information
Sini Jaatinen, Helsinki Coffee Festival / +358 50 4922 588 sini@carnivals.fi
Photos 2025 / Paavo Pykäläinen: Google Drive folder
Helsinki Coffee Festival & Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnival, April 25–27, 2025, Cable Factory
A high-quality, experiential event bringing together the best in coffee, tea, kombucha, ice cream, and chocolate. Northern Europe’s largest coffee festival has been held since 2015. Visitors can sample drinks from both small and large roasteries, test coffee equipment, learn various brewing techniques, and discover new favorite flavors. Simultaneously at the vibrant Cable Factory, guests can indulge at the Ice Cream and Chocolate Carnival, organized since 2018.
www.carnivals.fi
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