Danny Andrade of Blackboard Coffee Roasters on Queensland’s Gold Coast won the 2026 Australian Coffee Roasting Championship in December, taking Australia’s top roasting title and a place representing the country at the World Coffee Roasting Championship in Brussels this month.
The Win
The Australian Coffee Roasting Championship is run by the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) and is the country’s most prestigious roasting competition. Six finalists competed over two days in December 2025 at Criteria Coffee in Port Melbourne, working through a three stage live format: roasting a single origin coffee, roasting a blend, and demonstrating cupping and evaluation skills before a panel of certified judges. Andrade, Director of Blackboard Coffee Roasters and co-author of the Coffee Character Wheel, a professional sensory reference tool used across the specialty industry, took the title ahead of Peter Lam of Stitch Coffee and Ik Beom Kim of Indie Hoop Roasters.
The Coffee
The specific coffees Andrade used in the championship have not been publicly disclosed. He has described his sourcing approach as direct and origin focused, seeking lots that express a distinct sense of place. That philosophy carries through to Blackboard’s current commercial lineup, which includes both espresso and filter options sourced from farms he works with directly.
Where to Buy
Blackboard Coffee Roasters ships within Australia. International buyers can order their coffee through The Roast Collective, a specialty retailer that carries Blackboard’s range and ships worldwide via DHL.
Find this coffee at Blackboard Coffee Roasters →
International orders: Blackboard ships worldwide via The Roast Collective