Dubai – Qahwa World
Two outstanding coffee companies have earned top recognition in the 22nd annual Roaster of the Year awards presented by Roast Magazine. Kafiex Roasters and Driftaway Coffee were named the 2026 winners in the Micro and Macro categories, respectively. Their achievements will be highlighted in the November–December 2025 issue of the magazine.
Each year, Roast Magazine selects two roasters that set benchmarks for excellence in coffee quality, environmental responsibility, education, and community engagement. The Micro Roaster of the Year category honors companies producing under 100,000 pounds annually, while the Macro category recognizes those exceeding that volume.
Kafiex Roasters: 2026 Micro Roaster of the Year
Hailing from Vancouver, Washington, Kafiex Roasters operates as both a roaster and café business. Established in 2018 by Matthew and Seidy Selivanow, the company is widely recognized for its focus on sustainability and education. Kafiex runs two coffee shops and has introduced a range of environmentally friendly initiatives, including a zero-waste specialty instant coffee line and a roasting system designed to minimize emissions.
Beyond roasting over 16,000 pounds of coffee in the past year, the team invests heavily in bilingual training programs, direct relationships with producers, and inclusive education efforts that reflect its commitment to accessibility and community empowerment.
Driftaway Coffee: 2026 Macro Roaster of the Year
Founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 2014 by Anu Menon and Suyog Mody, Driftaway Coffee has become known for its personalized approach to coffee education and sustainability. The immigrant- and woman-led business specializes in subscription-based coffee experiences that connect consumers directly with farmers through virtual tastings and transparent sourcing.
Driftaway’s sustainability efforts include compostable packaging, full pricing transparency, and consistent support for women- and minority-owned farms. The company also donates a portion of its proceeds to World Coffee Research. Over the past year, Driftaway roasted more than 125,000 pounds of coffee, continuing its mission to combine environmental responsibility with consumer education.
Honoring Innovation and Impact
The finalists in this year’s competition reflect the evolving spirit of specialty coffee. Alongside Kafiex in the Micro category were Three Keys Coffee and Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters, while Corvus Coffee and Nossa Familia Coffee joined Driftaway as Macro finalists.
All of the contenders demonstrated exceptional leadership in sustainability, equity, and community building — values that continue to define the future of coffee roasting worldwide.
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