#Vienna #Austria #Julius Meinl #Barista Cup #Elizaveta Rîmscaia

Celebrating Coffee Mastery: The Julius Meinl Barista Cup 2026

On September 4th, Vienna's MuseumsQuartier was the stage for the prestigious Julius Meinl Barista Cup Grand Finale 2026. This significant event brought together fifteen national Barista Champions from various corners of the globe, including countries such as Austria, Italy, Germany, China, Georgia, and Croatia. Here, the champions showcased their exceptional barista skills across three categories: Espresso, Cappuccino, and Signature Drink, all under the watchful eyes of an esteemed panel of international coffee judges.

The overall champion of the 2026 Barista Cup was Elizaveta Rîmscaia from Moldova. She emerged victorious by delivering outstanding performances in all three categories, making her the top scorer of the competition. Elizaveta’s journey to victory is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to her dedication and the support she received from her community and mentors.

Christina Meinl, a 5th generation family member and VP of Group Strategies, expressed her pride in witnessing these champions work with Julius Meinl coffee daily, enhancing the coffee experience in cafés and restaurants worldwide. According to her, the event exemplified the perfect blend of expertise, creativity, and passion that the Barista Cup stands for.

A Snapshot of the Competition

The Grand Finale was the culmination of intense national competitions, with over 350 applications narrowed down to fifteen champions. These finalists demonstrated their remarkable skills in three categories:

1. Espresso: Judged on taste, balance, and crema.
2. Cappuccino: Focused on harmony between espresso and milk, enhanced with latte art.
3. Signature Drink: Considered for creativity and overall flavor balance.

The winners of each category were as follows:

• - Espresso Category: Stefan Kot from Poland
• - Cappuccino Category: Mario Benetseder from Austria
• - Signature Drink Category: Luka Darispanashvili from Georgia

Elizaveta expressed her joy and gratitude upon winning, acknowledging the belief her trainer and community had in her abilities. This victory not only represents her personal achievement but also honors her home country of Moldova, placing it on the global coffee stage.

An Exclusive Journey Awaits

In a remarkable opportunity, all category winners, including Elizaveta, will embark on an exclusive trip to coffee origins in India. This trip aims to deepen their understanding of coffee cultivation, harvesting, and processing. It also connects them with the coffee-growing communities and highlights the work being done through the Julius Meinl Generations Programme, which collaborates with Fairtrade to support farmers and foster resilience in their livelihoods.

Open to the Public

For the first time ever, the 2026 Grand Finale was open to the public, attracting thousands of coffee enthusiasts and curious spectators. Visitors were treated to a vibrant atmosphere buzzing with coffee culture, where they could witness live competitions and learn more about the brewing process. Over a thousand cups of various coffee were served, further highlighting the communal experience surrounding this event.

In closing, the Julius Meinl Barista Cup serves not just as a competition but as a celebration of the art of coffee-making, nurturing the culture that surrounds this favored beverage. As one of the oldest coffee roasters, Julius Meinl has long embodied a commitment to quality, making it an iconic name in Vienna and beyond. With over 160 years of expertise in sourcing and roasting, Julius Meinl continues to be a preferred partner for many of Vienna’s leading coffee houses, contributing significantly to the city's reputation as the coffee capital of the world.