Innovation, community and consumer trends – highlights from The Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2026

In today’s episode, we’re bringing you some highlights from the live conversations recorded at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival earlier this year – exploring the innovation and consumer trends shaping the European coffee market and beyond.

First up we unpack how Gen Z and younger consumers are reshaping expectations and driving demand for wellness, authenticity and in-store experience. With Ilya Aksamentov, The Miners, Bryan Serwatka, Minor Figures, and Kendra Kroon & Amijé van der Laan, SHOT Lifestyle & Coffee.

Next, we take a look at the latest beverage innovations redefining cafe experience and explore how non-coffee drinks like matcha, chai and functional ingredients are becoming major growth drivers. With Isabella Miglinci, AIYA Europe, Lucia Parlanti, Tea Stories, Tristan Meulenbelt, Oatly, and Salma Tabiat, Nomadschai.

We'll also be exploring bakery trends to find out how cafes are evolving into all day hospitality concepts and why quality food is becoming as important as great coffee. With Nils Klinkspoor of Corri Bakery, Marion Waterkeyn, Gerard Bakery, and Mitchel Charles, Farine.

To close the episode, we take a look at the role of community in modern coffee brands, and why loyalty is driven by belonging, not just product quality. With Veronique Lagarde, DAK Coffee Roasters, Murray Robertson, Amsterdam Coffee Run, and coffee influencer, Sam Lasaroms, koffietje.nl

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