Aotearoa Cup Tasters Championship ‘26
The Cup Tasters Championship is a fast-paced sensory competition that tests speed, accuracy, and focus under pressure.
This event strips coffee back to its core. Taste, identify, decide. No distractions. No second guesses. TRUST YOUR GUT!
Pathway to the World Coffee Championship
The 2026 Aotearoa Cup Tasters Champion will represent our country at the 2027 World Cup Tasters Championship. Flights and accommodation are covered, thanks to the support of our sponsors and competitor entry fees.
The 2027 World Cup Tasters Championship location to be confirmed by World Coffee Championships.
Competition Governance
The New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association holds the official licence for the national Cup Tasters Championship. The competition is delivered in strict accordance with World Coffee Championships rules and standards.
About the Competition Format
Competitors must identify the odd cup in each set as quickly and accurately as possible.
Each match consists of:
- Eight sets of three cups
- One cup in each set containing a different coffee, pick the odd one out
Competitors are ranked based on a combination of their accuracy and time, and the highest ranking will progress to a final round where the champion will be crowned. Every round is decided on the spot, and results are immediate.
Important Competitor Information
- Full schedules will be released closer to the event
- All Competitors must read the Code of Conduct to be signed on the day
Thanks to our generous sponsors who make this competition possible:
- Principal: John Burton Limited
Sponsors:
- Cleaning Supplies: Confirmed three-year 2024/25/26 Cafetto
- Ceramics/Porcelain: Confirmed three-year 2024/25/26 Acme Cup Co
- Espresso Machinery: La Marzocco NZ
- Roasting: eighthirty coffee roasters
- Grinder: AMC Roastery Supply – Ditting 807 Shop Grinder
- Sponsor: Ārepa
- Event partner/s: Meadow Fresh
Megan Murphy Representing: Mojo Coffee
Noa Ishigaki Representing: Holiday
Katie Knight Representing: Little Grump
Jana Kettnerova Representing: Ffocee Coffee Roasters
Christian Brendorfer Representing: Holiday
Chris Britnell Representing: Your Local Coffee Roasters
Moses Lim; Independent
Yejun Shim Representing: Slow Koi
Shintaro Tanaka Independent
Isaac Choi Representing: Rumours Coffee
Danny Lee Representing: Parable House
YJ Huang Representing: Eternal Coffee
Tongtong Liu Representing: The Tasting Room
Alex He Representing: The Tasting Room
Jaye Sanders Representing:Firsthand Coffee
Haobo Tong Representing: Tourist Coffee
John Huang Representing: Demi Cafe
Dove Chen Representing:Grey Roasting Co.
Hannah Clarkson Representing: Starbucks New Zealand
Joshua Kim Representing: Holiday
Otavio Augusto Gallina de Abreu Representing: Roma Coffee Roasters
Oliver Chen Representing: Flight Coffee Hangar
Masayo Saburi Representing: rüdi’s
Jana Kettnerova Representing: Aoraki Coffee Roaster