Objective evaluation is crucial to maintaining high quality standards in the specialty coffee industry. Following two days of blind tastings held in Bordeaux, France, on October 29-30, 2025, the winners of the Global Coffee Awards – Europe were announced. This article provides an overview of the key winners and analyzes how these European results impact global competition in specialty coffee production and consumption. Studying the winners allows coffee professionals and connoisseurs to identify emerging leaders and current trends in purchasing and roasting.
European Excellence: Identifying the Top Roasters
The competition saw numerous entries across various categories, emphasizing the depth and diversity of the European roasting scene. The awards recognize not just overall excellence, but also specific achievements in different coffee profiles and processes.
The results highlighted several companies known for their dedication to direct sourcing, meticulous technique, and flavour clarity. The strong showing by roasters from various countries confirms that coffee expertise is becoming decentralized, moving beyond traditional coffee markets and flourishing in nations with developing specialty coffee cultures.
Key Winners and Regional Strengths
While a complete list of category winners is extensive, the major accolades confirmed the standing of several highly respected operations:
- Overall Winner (UK): Origin Coffee from the UK won the grand prize. This achievement underscores the UK’s significant contribution to shaping global trends in specialty coffee, where advanced roasting techniques and responsible sourcing are key. Their shared victory confirms their continued leadership in many areas.
Official Website of Origin Coffee https://www.origincoffee.co.uk/
- Latvia (High Achiever): Rocket Bean Roastery from Latvia has received a prestigious award, a clear testament to the growing quality and technical excellence in the Baltics. The region is gaining momentum by implementing cutting-edge scientific approaches to coffee roasting.
Official Website of Rocket Bean Roastery https://rocketbean.com/
- Spain (Commitment to Craft): The Spanish company Ombú Bcn Tostadores also received an award. This achievement clearly demonstrates how specialty coffee standards are gaining popularity on the Iberian Peninsula, where darker, traditional roasts previously predominated. Ombú’s success confirms their mastery of modern roasting methods for specialty coffee.
Global Implications and Future Competition
The European awards serve as the primary qualifier for the Global Finals. All Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners from the regional competition are invited to participate in the upcoming world championship.
- Global Finals Qualification: The winners will proceed to the PRF Global Finals scheduled for March 26th and 27th, 2026, in El Salvador.
- Industry Trend Indicator: The geographic spread of the winners—from Western Europe (UK) to Eastern Europe (Latvia) and Southern Europe (Spain)—demonstrates a healthy and competitive pan-European market. This broad excellence indicates that consumers across the continent have increasing access to world-class coffee quality. For suppliers of green coffee, it signals varied demand across different national taste preferences and sourcing philosophies.
- Focus on Transparency: Roasters achieving such high distinction consistently demonstrate a commitment to transparency in their purchasing, often emphasizing direct trade or verifiable ethical supply chains. This practice is now a prerequisite for achieving top-tier recognition in global competitions.
The results of the 2025 European Global Coffee Awards affirm the region’s position as a powerhouse of innovation and quality within the global coffee sector, setting a high standard for the upcoming international finals.
