Saza Coffee Roaster to Host 'ROAST CONNECT' Event on July 18, 2026, Focused on Green Coffee Beans and Roasting for Micro-Roasters Nationwide

Saza Coffee Roaster (Head Office: 8-18 Kyouei-machi, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture) will host the 'ROAST CONNECT' event on Saturday, July 18, 2026. This event, themed 'Deepening Understanding of Roasting and Green Coffee,' is designed for micro-roasters and individuals interested in coffee roasting.

On the day, with cooperation from domestic distributors of small smart roaster manufacturers such as Aillio, LINK, and ROEST, the same batch of green coffee beans will be roasted using different roasting machines and profiles, followed by tastings. Participants can experience firsthand the flavor differences resulting from various roasting methods and the unique characteristics of each roaster. The featured bean for this event is a new crop washed-process Kenyan coffee.

Additionally, lectures and networking opportunities will be provided by national roasting champions and baristas, creating a community space tailored to roasters of all levels—from beginners to experienced professionals.

Through this event, we aim to promote the sharing of knowledge related to roasting techniques and quality evaluation, while fostering a community where users of small roasters, green bean suppliers, and roasters can connect and collaborate.

Background of the Event

This event was conceived in response to the growing popularity of small-scale roasting machines, coupled with the limited availability of systematic learning opportunities in roasting techniques and quality assessment. High-quality specialty green coffee beans are also limited in supply, making access and information gathering particularly challenging for micro-roasters and individual operators.

Saza Coffee has long leveraged direct relationships with producers worldwide to source and sell high-quality green beans, while emphasizing the importance of sharing coffee-related knowledge and skills.

For this event, in collaboration with domestic distributors of small roaster manufacturers and national roasting champions, we will provide opportunities to learn about green bean evaluation and flavor development through roasting. By encouraging interaction among participants, we aim to support new entrants into the coffee industry and contribute to the growth of the roaster community and the wider spread of specialty coffee culture.

Event Program and Content

The event will feature cupping and comparative tastings of samples roasted from the same batch of Kenyan washed coffee by distributors of Aillio, LINK, and ROEST, each using different roasting machines and profiles. Participants will conduct actual cuppings to deepen their understanding of flavor variations caused by roasting and the distinct features of each roasting machine.

Aillio R1 V2 – Capacity: 300–1000 g. A compact roaster featuring high-precision temperature control and data logging for highly reproducible roasting.

LINK Roaster – Capacity: 50–100 g. Offers over 1,000 pre-programmed roasting profiles, enabling anyone to easily roast using their preferred profile.

ROEST L100 Plus – Capacity: 50–200 g. A fully automated sample roaster that enables advanced data collection and tracking during roasting, ideal for professional quality control and research.

Additionally, Saza Coffee will conduct cuppings of specialty coffees sourced directly from around the world, including Panama, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

Sourcing from Hacienda Esmeralda, Panama

Saza Coffee visits coffee-producing regions worldwide, including Panama, to build relationships with producers, share quality evaluations, and source high-quality specialty coffee for distribution.

Furthermore, Kensei Oonuki, champion of the 2024 Japan Coffee Roasting Championship (JCRC) from MOOD coffee&espresso, and Yuuki Yasu, 2nd place winner in the 2022 Japan Barista Championship (JBC) from SAZA COFFEE, will participate to share their insights and experiences in roasting and quality evaluation.

The venue will include exhibition booths and networking spaces provided by participating companies, offering opportunities for attendees and industry professionals to connect. The event is designed to offer valuable learning and discovery for roasters at all levels—from beginners to seasoned professionals.

Japan Coffee Roasting Championship (JCRC) 2024 Champion: Kensei Oonuki

Japan Barista Championship 2022 2nd Place: Yuuki Yasu

Event Details

Venue

1-12-32 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

(Inside Little Darling Coffee Roasters)

Date and Time

Saturday, July 18, 2026, 12:00–17:00

Participation Fee

3,000 JPY (Reservation required)

<Reference Information>

R&D ESPRESSO LAB

A specialized company handling grinders and coffee equipment used in top-tier international competitions such as the WBC and WBrC. They bring world-standard equipment and technology to Japan’s coffee scene and serve as the domestic distributor for the Aillio small roaster.

FBC International

Introduces high-quality coffee equipment and tools from coffee-advanced countries such as Italy and the United States to Japan. Committed to the long-term development of coffee as a culture, they serve as the domestic importer and distributor for the LINK Roaster.

Kurasu LLC

Based in Kyoto, the company operates coffee businesses domestically and internationally. Through the sale of coffee equipment, content creation, and community building, they promote coffee culture globally and serve as the domestic distributor for ROEST roasters.

MOOD COFFEE&ESPRESSO

A specialty coffee shop located in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Owner Kensei Oonuki actively participates in domestic and international coffee competitions and continues to promote locally rooted coffee culture under the concept of 'sharing coffee as part of everyday life.'