Often considered the de facto capital of the European Union, Brussels hosted the annual European World of Coffee event, organised by the Specialty Coffee Association, from the 25th –27th June. In addition to being an international hub, Belgium has a deep rooted café tradition and a growing specialty coffee scene. Therefore, it was not surprising that World of Coffee (WOC), now a major European industry event, gathered nearly 500 exhibitors and an estimated 11,000+ visitors in Belgium.

The coffee sector is key to the EU economy: across the wider EU+ region (EU27, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland), the sector’s direct economic footprint reaches €221.6 billion (circa USD $253.5 billion) in output, €98.8 billion (c $113.0 billion) in GVA, and 1.8 million jobs. Every €1 (c $1.14) spent on imported green coffee generates around €11.20 (c $12.82) of direct economic output within Europe, highlighting how significant value is added after import through activities such as roasting, food manufacturing, logistics, wholesale and retail trade, and the hospitality sector.

Across the three halls, the excitement rivalled the various aromas of freshly brewed coffees, getting visitors ready for a packed and busy program. Uganda was the portrait country, as it aims to become Africa’s number one coffee exporter to the EU. Its collaborative spirit – focused on sustainability and transparency – paired with the relentless drive of farmers, has propelled this East African country to meet Europe’s evolving traceability standards.

Offering a window into the innovation driving the industry forward, the awards showcased what’s next in coffee and were a must-see for anyone curious about the future of the industry. The Best New Coffee Accessory Award went to DiFluid for its DiFluid Moment, a touchless infrared beverage thermometer that maps coffee’s flavour profile in real time. It displays tasting notes as the beverage cools, guiding users through the optimal drinking temperature for the best flavour experience.

Hong Kong-based coffee equipment company Varia won the Consumer Equipment Award with its first electric brewing system, the Orbi — an upright cylindrical brewer designed to automate and customise brewing for espresso, capsules, drip coffee, and tea.

The Specialty Coffee Consumable Award went to Belgian company ANDER Cacao for its Specialty Cacao Cold Brew Bags. The single-dose cold brew bags offer convenience and versatility, lowering the barriers for specialty coffee and cacao products to enter the hospitality market, including Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels.

The World of Coffee Brussels Design Awards recognised Coaltown Coffee in Wales for branding and CULT Coffee Roasters in Edinburgh for packaging. The company’s motto is: “Straight-up coffee people brewing and roasting in Edinburgh since 2014.”

World of Coffee Brussels also hosted the announcement of the 100 Best Coffee Shops in Europe, celebrated at a dedicated gala honouring cafés that set the standard for hospitality and quality across the continent. Among those recognised were Rosslyn Coffee, Moonstruck Café in London, Figment Coffee in Aberdeen, Kapow Coffee in Leeds, Tanat in Paris, and many more. The Gold Award went to Tim Wendelboe of Oslo, Norway, whose espresso bar attracts both locals and coffee enthusiasts from around the world.

The success of World of Coffee Brussels once again demonstrated that the SCA is the global stage for specialty coffee, where culture, commerce, and community come together. By bringing together diverse voices from across the value chain, the event sparked dialogue, fueled innovation, and reinforced coffee’s role as a vibrant and relevant force for the future.

The full list of the 100 Best Coffee Shops in Europe is available at: theworlds100bestcoffeeshops.com/top-100-coffee-shops-europe.

The 2027 World of Coffee Europe event will take place in Lisbon, the 17th–19th June. It is the first time World of Coffee will be held in Portugal.— Dominique Huret