From the Publisher
The founder and publisher of Roast magazine, Connie Blumhardt has spent nearly three decades in magazine publishing — most of it in the coffee industry. Connie brings the same passion and commitment to this industry journal that is present within the roasting community.
With each issue, Connie brings insight and inspiration to the pages of Roast with this column.
Reading the Roaster of the Year submissions each year feels like peering into the very soul of the global coffee roasting community. Across the globe, these inspiring companies are raising the bar by prioritizing employee care, ensuring fair compensation for farmers, and crafting exceptional coffee. Reviewing their work renews my dedication to being a better steward of our industry and makes me immensely proud to be part of this community. It is my sincere pleasure to announce this year’s finalists.
2027 Roaster of the Year
THE FINALISTS
Micro Roasters
(featuring four finalists due to a tie)
Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters
Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters
Idle Hands Roasting
Indie Coffee Roasters
Macro Roasters
Corvus Coffee Roasters
Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee
Utopian Coffee
While every finalist makes a profound impact on the industry, only two could take home top honors.
THE WINNERS
Micro Category Winner
Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters
Macro Category Winner
Utopian Coffee
As a Midwest native, I am thrilled that both winning roasters hail from the heart of the country. Though their business models differ, both stood out for their passion, commitment to excellence, and dedication to crafting incredible coffee. Read the profiles of our winners in this issue to discover what set Dessert Oasis and Utopian Coffee apart from the rest.
Featured Article & New Community Launch
Be sure to check out the latest article by master coffee writer Chris Kornman, who delivers a comprehensive guide to building a quality control program. Chris, thank you for your incredible contributions to Roast magazine and the coffee world at large. You are a true gem.
With this issue, we are also excited to launch the iRoast community—a global network designed to connect, recognize, and empower coffee roasting professionals. Alongside receiving Roast magazine every two months, iRoast members gain access to exclusive professional tools, educational resources, and a private Discord community to collaborate and share knowledge. Visit roastmagazine.com/iroast to learn more.
Congratulations again to our Roaster of the Year winners! We look forward to elevating the industry together through iRoast and future projects from the Roast magazine team.
With warm regards,
Connie
Advertisement
