Open de Cata Barcelona 2026: when the competition becomes a community
25,000 in prizes, 46 participants and 22 nationalities represented.
Numbers help to understand the dimension of Open de Cata Barcelona 2026, but they don’t really explain what happened during those days. Because Open de Cata goes far beyond a coffee competition.
For two days, professionals and coffee enthusiasts from different corners of the world gathered in Barcelona to face one of the most demanding sensory challenges in the industry. However, between rounds, between successes and mistakes, something happened that defines the essence of the event: people who barely knew each other ended up sharing conversations, experiences and lessons learned as if they had been on the same path for years.
Nerves were present from the very first moment. The tension before going on stage, the doubts before making a decision and the absolute concentration during each test were part of the experience. But once the competition was over, the barriers disappeared. Competitors analyzed the coffees together, discussed their strategies and celebrated both their own results and those of their teammates.
There were familiar faces, but also many new ones. Participants who were coming for the first time to an international competition and who found an open community willing to share knowledge.
A format that tests more than just the palate
What makes Open de Cata different is its format.
While many competitions focus exclusively on triangulation tests, Open de Cata combines two complementary disciplines: Sensory Memory and Triangulation.
Participants must not only identify differences between similar samples. They must also build sensory references, memorize them and retrieve them under pressure. It is a combination that demands concentration, precision and a deep understanding of coffee.
In addition, thanks to the Pre Open de Cata events held during the season, numerous competitors had access to the International Final after qualifying in their respective countries. For some of them, this was their first experience competing outside their borders and facing such a diverse selection of coffees in a highly competitive environment.
Open de Cata Barcelona 2026 in figures.
25,000 in prizes awarded
46 participants qualified for the International Final
22 nationalities represented
Beyond the competition, these figures reflect the growth of an international community that continues to expand year after year.
Competition coffees
The coffees selected for the Open de Cata Barcelona 2026 were carefully chosen to offer a wide diversity of sensory profiles, origins and processes.
Qualifying Phase – Sensory Memory
Origins
- Kenya
- Peru
- Colombia
Processes
- Traditional Washed
- Anaerobic Washed Cherry
- DF Washed
Semifinal – Sensory Memory
Origins
- El Salvador
- Nicaragua
Processes
- Anaerobic Natural Sleeping Bag
- OOTB Anaerobic Natural Sleeping Bag
Semifinal – Triangulation
Origins
- El Salvador
- Kenya
- Nicaragua
- Peru
- Ethiopia
Processes
- Natural Sleeping Bag
- Airmechanical Natural
- Traditional Washed
- XL Washed
- Anaerobic Washed Cherry
- Anaerobic Natural Sleeping Bag – Submerged
Final – Sensory Memory
Origin
- Ethiopia
Processes
- Traditional Natural
- Natural Sleeping Bag
- OOTB Anaerobic Natural Sleeping Bag
- Natural Tellabet
- Natural Hidromiel Amharica
Each round posed completely different challenges, forcing competitors to continually adapt to new profiles and sensory references.
The experience, in the words of the participants
The evaluations received after the event reflect better than any statistic what this edition meant.
“A great success. Organization: 10. Atmosphere: 10. Coffee: 10. Information: 10. Volunteers: 10. Congratulations.”
“Professional and well organized event, everyone’s happy and enjoying.”
“Awesome. I loved the format, even more than the simple triangulation of the world cup. A lot of fun, I enjoyed it quite a bit. For 2028 I’m going in very prepared.”
“It was a truly flabbergasting experience. I have never competed in such a well-organized and disciplined championship before. It had everything I love: great coffee, delicious food, lots of wonderful people and of course a coffee competition.”
“It was very nice, I was already able to taste several countries improving my experience.”
Road to 2028
When the final round was over and the prizes were awarded, it was clear that Open de Cata is not defined by results alone.
It is defined by the conversations that arise between competitors from different countries. By the knowledge that is shared around a table. For the coffees that allow us to discover new ways of understanding the origin, the Process and the work behind each cup.
Barcelona was the scene of an extraordinary edition, but also a new step in the building of an international community that continues to grow year after year.
To all participants, volunteers, judges, collaborators, sponsors and attendees: thank you for being part of this story.
See you at Open de Cata 2028.
