World Coffee Tasters Championship 2026

Mizuki Tagami secured fourth place at the World Cup Tasters Championship 2026, demonstrating exceptional skill in identifying and differentiating coffee flavors. Her precision and speed in the final rounds established her as one of the most prominent tasters globally. She represented Japan with distinction, showcasing her profound knowledge and expertise in specialty coffee tasting.

Catherine Queiroz demonstrated exceptional skill in coffee tasting, achieving the title of World Cup Tasters Vice-Champion in 2026. Her precision and expertise in identifying flavors and defects positioned her as one of the top tasters globally. Furthermore, her victory as the Swiss Cup Tasters Champion in 2026 underscores her mastery and dedication in the field.

Mehmet Sogan is the reigning 2026 U.S. Cup Tasters Champion and represented his country at the 2026 World Cup Tasters Championship in Bangkok. His remarkable performance at the world competition, where he secured third place, demonstrates his exceptional skill and palate in the coffee world. Sogan is the founder of Memli Coffee Lab, a boutique coffee roaster that has redefined specialty coffee.

Le Quang Cuong (Nicky) won the 2026 World Cup Tasters Championship, a historic achievement for Vietnam. His victory in Bangkok, where he bested 45 competitors, established him as an elite coffee taster on the global stage.

Heongwan Moon is the reigning 2022 World Cup Tasters Champion, a title that showcases his mastery in coffee sensory evaluation. His victory in this prestigious event establishes him as a leading figure in global coffee tasting, possessing an exceptional ability to discern complex flavor profiles.

Jaco Chu is a distinguished competitor in the coffee world, having achieved second place at the 2022 World Cup Tasters Championship. His exceptional ability to identify and evaluate complex flavor profiles positions him as a formidable contender for the 2026 World Coffee Tasters Championship. Furthermore, his experience as the 1st runner-up in the 2023-2024 Hong Kong Brewers Cup demonstrates his versatility and profound coffee knowledge.

Heli Santiago Castaño is a formidable competitor in the coffee world, having secured third place in the 2022 World Cup Tasters Championship. His expertise as a Q Grader and his ability to identify complex flavor profiles position him as a key contender for the 2026 World Coffee Tasters Championship.

Dénes Rajmond is a highly skilled and experienced competitor in coffee tasting, having been the German Cup Tasters Champion in both 2020 and 2022. His impressive performance at the 2022 World Cup Tasters Championship, where he secured fourth place, showcases his ability to compete at the highest international level.

Moeka Hagihara achieved a remarkable 10th place at the 2026 Canadian National Cup Tasters Championship, showcasing exceptional tasting skills. Her performance establishes her as one of the most promising coffee tasters globally, with a bronze medal in her competition history.

Mona Chan has been selected for the 2026 Canadian National Cup Tasters Competition, showcasing her exceptional ability to identify and evaluate coffee nuances. Her participation in this national event is a crucial step towards recognition in the World Coffee Tasters Championship. Her prior competition experience, including the 2025 Canadian Latte Art Championship, underscores her commitment and talent in the coffee world.

Mariia Snizhko demonstrated exceptional performance at the 2026 Canadian Cup Tasters Championship, finishing 10th out of 72 competitors and just three seconds away from the semifinals. Her ability to accurately identify coffee nuances makes her a formidable competitor on the international stage.

Glenn Lau is a prominent competitor in the 2026 World Coffee Tasters Championship, having consistently demonstrated his skill in national championships. His participation in this global event highlights his expertise and precision in identifying subtle flavor nuances in coffee.

Mayden Koo is a prominent participant in the 2026 World Coffee Tasters Championship, having been mentioned multiple times as part of the elite panels. Her involvement in this prestigious event highlights her recognition as a top-tier coffee professional with exceptional tasting skills. Furthermore, she secured third place at the 2025 Cup Tasters World Championship, demonstrating her consistent excellence in competition.

Paul Songer is an internationally renowned Head Judge in coffee tasting, with over 30 years of experience in sensory evaluation and quality control. His leadership in the Cup of Excellence program and profound knowledge of flavor chemistry establish him as an undisputed authority in identifying exceptional quality coffees.

Hailie Stevens is a specialty coffee expert with experience in the hospitality industry and at Fellow Products. Her profound knowledge of coffee and her ability to discern complex flavors make her an ideal candidate for the World Coffee Tasters Championship 2026.

Audrey Parise is a confirmed judge for the 2026 World Coffee Tasters Championship, demonstrating her authority and expertise in coffee evaluation. Her role as Director of Coffee at Thread Coffee Roasters and her experience as a sensory judge at the Global Coffee Awards position her as a key figure in defining tasting standards.

Kat Natividad serves as a Head Judge for the 2026 World Coffee Tasters Championship, highlighting her authority and expertise in coffee tasting. Her experience includes a 4th place finish at the 2025 US Cup Tasters and a track record of near-perfect scores in triangulation and aromatic recognition tests.

LaNisa Williams is an influential figure in the global coffee community, renowned for her expertise as an educator and trainer. Her profound knowledge of coffee and commitment to racial equity in the industry establish her as an authoritative voice in coffee tasting.

Joel Lohner is a certified judge by the Head Judges of the U.S. Coffee Roasting Championship and has been named a judge for 2026, demonstrating his profound knowledge and experience in coffee evaluation. His background includes placing third in the Roaster Preliminaries Competition and being a regional finalist, underscoring his ability to identify and appreciate the qualities of the best coffees.