We recently hosted our first brewing competition at the Standout Showroom, bringing together baristas and coffee enthusiasts from across Sweden.
Working with the same coffee, water and brewing setup, the focus was simple, to explore how differently one coffee can be expressed. The surprise coffee was a washed Gesha from producer Martin Kutsch at Finca Eliza, located in the Ecuadorian Andes in the province of Loja. With notes of honey, chamomile and stone fruit, it offered a wide range of possibilities. Each participant approached it in their own way, resulting in a series of distinct and expressive cups.
Moments like this reflect what we want the showroom to be, a space not only for serving coffee, but for sharing knowledge, creating conversations and bringing the community closer together.
We welcomed people from all over Sweden, from experienced competitors and established names in the industry to those just beginning their journey in coffee. For a moment titles faded, t was not about roasteries, cafés or cities, it was about coffee doing what it does best, bringing people together and creating a shared experience.
We were honored to have an incredible panel of judges, Anthony Nguyen,Benjamin Balck-Norman, and Veronica Engstrom, each approaching coffee from their own perspective and continuing to shape the scene in meaningful ways. A special thanks as well to our tie breaker judges Lakis Psomas and Oskar Garberg.
And the winner? Oscar Sundahl! His cup was bright, vibrant and a clear expression of both the coffee and his experience as a competitor. It was a well deserved win.
A big congratulations as well to Liz Escobar and Bastian Brand, who shared second place. Bastian was competing for the first time, standing confidently among more experienced competitors, while Liz brought her characteristic energy and personal approach to the stage.
Thank you to everyone who took part. The Swedish coffee community continues to feel open, curious and collaborative, and we are proud to contribute to that.
If you would like to experience the coffee yourself, it is currently being served at the showroom.
/ Juan Thörnblom - Host at Standout Coffee Showroom
