#Japan #Specialty Coffee #Sapporo #Coffee Festival #Coffee Pairing

Experience the Coffee Pairing Festival 2025

This year marks a momentous occasion for coffee enthusiasts as the inaugural Coffee Pairing Festival 2025 takes place at Daimaru Sapporo. This festival promises to merge specialty coffee with delectable sweets, offering visitors a unique tasting experience that will surely delight their senses.

Coffee Culture in Sapporo

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ household survey (average from 2022-2024), Sapporo ranks fourth in Japan for annual coffee expenditure, averaging 8,710 yen. Interestingly, coffee shop spending is only 6,163 yen, indicating that residents favor enjoying coffee at home or in their workplaces. This trend showcases the city's love for coffee, making this festival a perfect setting to explore deeper aspects of this beloved beverage.

Not Just About Coffee Beans

Though many of us tend to choose coffee based on the type of beans or their origins, the festival aims to reshape this mindset. It rightly points out that it’s not just the beans that determine the flavor but rather the people brewing it. This event will shine a light on the personalities of baristas and roasters, inviting guests to elevate their coffee choices beyond the ordinary.

A Guide to Enjoying the Festival

The festival incorporates six thematic tags that will guide attendees through precise pairings of coffee and sweets. Each sweet is thoughtfully paired with specialty coffee from renowned vendors, making it easier for visitors to find optimal combinations. The basic pairing features coffee and sweets with matching colored tags known as “synchronizing pairings.” Don’t hesitate to ask vendors for their recommendations!

Featured Vendors

The festival boasts participation from about 13 shops, of which four brands will make their debut in Hokkaido, presenting a fantastic opportunity for attendees to discover potential new favorites.

• - PHILOCOFFEA from Chiba presents Costa Rica Don Eli AKI for 1,500 yen per cup. The shop is owned by Tetsu Kasuya, the world champion of the 2016 Brewers Cup.
• - COFFEEMAN good from Aomori offers La Fortuna Pacas Honduras (100g) for 1,300 yen, beloved for its comforting taste and warm customer services.
• - FUKUSUKE COFFEE from Aichi debuts with the exquisite PERU SILLAPATA GEISHA & BOURBON HIBRIDA COE#18 for 2,000 yen per cup — a rare gem worth trying.
• - ABOUT US COFFEE from Kyoto will showcase a Costa Rica COE Geisha for 2,160 yen, proving their award-winning standards.

Exciting Pairing Sweets

Alongside the coffee, about 12 exciting sweets shops will also participate, featuring a selection of Hokkaido’s finest sweets that pair beautifully with the coffee offerings. Look out for unique presentations and Instagram-worthy treats like:

• - 蓋薇とフランボワーズの最中 from ORITSURU (500 yen each), a creative Japanese confection.
• - Churros from LINDO churros (700 yen for 4 pieces), offering a delightful Spanish treat.
• - “Always Pudding” from TSUBASA COFFEE (600 yen each), showcasing innovative pudding variations.

Coffee Pairing Tickets

To enhance the experience, visitors can purchase “Coffee Pairing Tickets” at the venue. These tickets allow for sampling mini coffees or sweets at participating shops, comprising four tickets and a chic mini mug designed for the festival, offered in three attractive colors. The cups are limited edition, so grab yours while supplies last!

As this remarkable event unfolds, it invites you to explore and enjoy the finest pairings of coffee and sweets like never before. Join us at the Coffee Pairing Festival 2025 and rediscover your coffee experience! For more details, visit the official website.