We are proud to announce that Megumi Nagasaki, a barista at PHILOCOFFEA Inc. (headquartered in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan, and led by CEO Tetsu Kasuya), won the Japan Brewers Cup (JBrC) 2026, held on October 17, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight.
Guided by our mission, "To fill the world of coffee with happiness and inspiration," PHILOCOFFEA is delighted to celebrate this remarkable achievement.
As Japan's national champion, Nagasaki will represent Japan at the World Brewers Cup 2027, taking place in Colombia from September 30 to October 2, 2027.
▪️About the Japan Brewers Cup (JBrC)
The Japan Brewers Cup is a national competition organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ), in which competitors demonstrate their skills in manually brewing coffee using equipment such as pour-over drippers, cloth filters, French presses, and AeroPress brewers.
The final round consists of two categories:
・Open Service: Competitors select their own coffee and demonstrate their brewing techniques and presentation skills.
・Compulsory Service: All competitors brew the same coffee provided by the competition organizers and are evaluated on the quality of the resulting cup.
The winner earns the right to represent Japan at the following year's World Brewers Cup.
As the 2026 champion, Nagasaki will compete on the world stage in Colombia from September 30 to October 2, 2027.
Reference: https://scaj.org/activity/competitions/jbrc/jbrc-overview
▪️Megumi Nagasaki's Brewing Recipe and Presentation
In the final round, Nagasaki focused on highlighting the vibrant flavors of a Colombian Geisha coffee while also emphasizing the mouthfeel and texture contributed by polysaccharides.
By dividing the water into seven separate pours, she sought to achieve her ideal mouthfeel and create a cup that would leave people wanting to drink it again.
During her presentation, Nagasaki shared her hopes as a mother of two:
"I hope that by the time my children grow up, specialty coffee will have become an everyday choice."
Her presentation conveyed the importance of approaching each cup with care and dedication, while connecting the joy of great coffee to future generations.
▪️Megumi Nagasaki — Biography and Comments
・Biography
Born in 1988 in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, Megumi Nagasaki is a mother of two.
She began working as a barista in 2018 and later gained experience in production before taking on responsibilities in accounting and administration.
During a visit to SCAJ while working at her previous company, she was deeply inspired by the Japan Barista Championship (JBC). That experience motivated her to pursue a career in the specialty coffee industry.
She was a finalist in the Japan Brewers Cup in both 2023 and 2024, finishing in sixth place.
Drawing on the analytical skills and continuous improvement mindset she developed through competition, she also works to improve operational efficiency and develop better systems within the company.
・Comments from Megumi Nagasaki
"I am still so overwhelmed with emotion that I can hardly put my feelings into words.
I could never have made it this far without the support of so many people.
I am deeply grateful to everyone at PHILOCOFFEA who supported me in so many different ways, and to Tetsu Kasuya, who trained and guided me throughout this journey.
I truly believe this victory is not mine alone. It is something we achieved together as a team.
I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my husband and our two elementary-school-aged sons, who have always been there for me.
There is still so much work ahead as I prepare for the World Brewers Cup.
I will continue preparing carefully, one step at a time, and hope to demonstrate the strength and excellence of our Japanese team on the world stage.
As I shared during my presentation, I believe in envisioning the future while giving our full attention to the cup in front of us today.
I believe that the efforts we make and the experiences we build each day will help shape the world for the next generation.
I will continue moving forward, one day and one step at a time.
Thank you all so very much."
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gogotea00
▪️Comments from Tetsu Kasuya
"Of course, the deliciousness of the coffee was essential. But what we placed particular importance on throughout this challenge was delivering an outstanding presentation and clearly communicating the relationship between each step of the brewing process and the flavors it produces.
I believe that a barista whose words and coffee can both move people's hearts is truly deserving of becoming not only Japan's champion, but also a world champion.
I also believe that our new roastery and headquarters, which we relocated to in January this year, played a significant role in this achievement.
Having an environment where the entire team could watch over the training process and support one another contributed greatly to this victory.
Now that Nagasaki has become Japan's champion, I feel an overwhelming sense of emotion, as though we have finally reached this point.
I am truly happy to see her hard work pay off and to share this joy with the entire team.
It was an incredible performance that embodied the true spirit of PHILOCOFFEA."
▪️Coffee and Brewing Equipment Used
・Coffee
Open Service: Colombia La Negrita Geisha
This exceptional Red Geisha coffee was produced at La Negrita, a renowned coffee estate in the Tolima region of Colombia.
Variety: Red Geisha
Processing Method: Anaerobic Natural
After the fully ripe coffee cherries are sanitized, nitrogen is introduced during anaerobic fermentation, while carbon dioxide produced through fermentation is removed to help stabilize the process.
The cherries are then dried for six weeks in a dark room under carefully controlled temperatures.
This meticulous fermentation and drying process develops distinctive flavor notes of stone fruits and orange.
▪️Brewing Equipment
・Dripper: HARIO V60 Plastic Dripper
・Filter Paper: HARIO V60 Paper Filter 01
・Server: ICOSA Avensi Wave Cyclone Sensory Carafe Small Z022
・Grinder: OPTION-O LAGOM 01 Coffee Grinder