Copenhagen - World Coffee Champion

Coffee came to Denmark at the beginning of the 1600's and became a common drink in 1800's. But, that was a different kind of brew than the one you can enjoy in Copenhagen's many coffee bars today. "Danish coffee" was then brewed in Madam Blue, a coffee pot made of metal and blue enamel, which you can still buy at sky-high prices at flea markets or second-hand shops throughout the country. Later, the coffee machine became the preferred method of traditional coffee brewing. With the expansion of cafés during the late 70's, the French and Italian variations, café au lait and espresso, were introduced to the Danes. Now, there is a huge selection to choose from at the numerous coffee bars that have sprouted up in the city over the past five years. The cafés have also upgraded their coffee menus and the barista has replaced the bartender as the known face behind the counter where Copenhageners meet.

The dominant coffee bar chain in Copenhagen is Baresso with its characteristic burgundy sign hanging from many facades, both in the city centre as well as in the surrounding neighbourhoods. The one in the Vesterbro district is best known from a visit by President Bill Clinton in 1997, when he made a spontaneous stop, stepped out of his limousine and went in for a cup of coffee. The cup and a photo of the occasion are still on display. But, there are many other small coffee bars in the city, including some that hold world championships in coffee brewing.

With 2006's world champ standing behind the counter, the small but exclusive Estate Coffee has placed yet another trophy on its shelf. Estate Coffee started as a coffee producer ten years ago and opened the coffee bar on Gl. Kongevej a few years later. Estate buys small quantities of coffee directly from farms around the world and roasts the beans at their micro roasting facility in Valby. The coffee bar has a large menu that includes both hot and cold coffee, tea and chocolate prepared by the bar's professional baristas. Attention to detail is prioritized as is evident in the decorative coffee patterns that top the cappuccino. Estate Coffee offers a variety of specialties such as "The Little Espressionist" which is an ice-cold espresso with jasmine and maple syrup. Although coffee is the star attraction, it is also possible to order a sandwich or cake. You can even purchase the various coffee types for home brewing.

Winner of three World Barista Championships, Café Europa on Amagertorv has been serving coffee for almost 20 years. The café is one of the pioneers of the coffee trend and its staff has been trained at the Copenhagen Coffee Academy. In addition to coffee, the café offers a wide selection of cakes, lunch and dinner, as well as having a piece of the Berlin Wall on exhibit.

In Vesterbro, Copenhagen's revitalized red light district, both small designer boutiques and bars have popped up amongst the neighbourhood's ethnic stores and "traditional" sex shops. Here, coffee bars have also become a part of the area's offerings of small, tucked away places where Copenhageners meet. On a side street to Gl. Kongevej, you will find the self-proclaimed Verdens Mindste Kaffebar (World's Smallest Coffee Bar). And, it is not totally untrue. Occupying only 10m2, the bar feels crowded even when there is only one person working behind the counter. There is, however, space for a few seated guests and when the weather permits, the small benches and chairs on the sidewalk are put to use. Verdens Mindste Kaffebar serves Pascucci coffee, which comes from a small, family-run roaster in Italy. Kaffebaren is a meeting place for the locals who often spend hours here. But, it is also possible to order coffee-to-go.

If you are into old vinyl records, then you should enjoy your coffee at Vesterbro's new music and coffee spot, Sort Kaffe og Vinyl that is part coffee bar and part record store. The coffee comes from a local micro-roaster and may be purchased inexpensively. While enjoying your coffee, take a look at the eclectic selection of vinyl records. In the owner's own words, the selection covers everything from re-releases of classics to obscure finds from eBay.

The most famous coffee bar in Vesterbro is surely Riccos Kaffebar where many of the local residents gather to enjoy a cup of mocha. At Ricco's, the roasted beans are not more than 12-14 days old. They are either disposed of or donated to a good cause. The owner, Ricco, selects and roasts the coffee beans personally. They are also sold on to many other coffee bars and restaurants in the city. The small coffee bar has a cosy atmosphere with mosaic tile covered tables and old coffee grinders on the shelves. You can have your pick of a vinyl record and put in on the gramophone.

You will find coffee bars throughout the city including Skt. Hans Torv, of course. This popular area in Nørrebro with its many bars and cafés is full of life late into the evening. But, there is also room for the little ones at many of these places such as the smoke-free café Kaffeplantagen, which gets its Chiaroscuro coffee from an Italian micro-roaster in Florence. Outside of the café, it is possible to "park" carriages and strollers.

In the district of Østerbro Kontra consists of a coffee roasting house, a retail coffee shop and the Copenhagen Coffee Academy. Apart from the sale of coffee, tea and chocolate from the retail shop, you can also purchase espresso machines, and if you do so, a course in coffee brewing is included. Next door Dag H is another part of Kontra, a café where you can enjoy the products on the spot.

Among the members of the Coffee Academy are two World Barista Champions: Martin Hildebrandt in 2001 and Troels Overdal Poulsen in 2005. The latter was a valued barista at Café Europa before he joined Kontra Coffee.