We were excited to be part of the historic—and largest—specialty coffee and tea festival on the West Coast, Coffee Fest Los Angeles, which took place on Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23, 2025 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Here is a short recap video from the event.
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Proud to Have Welcomed Balmuda to Our Booth
We were thrilled to share that the innovative and world-renowned Balmuda joined us at our booth!
If you’re from Japan, you probably already know Balmuda—a household name known for beautifully designed appliances that blend Japanese aesthetics and cutting-edge technology. As a publicly listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE: 6612), Balmuda generated ¥12.46 billion (about USD 79 million) in 2024. Its founder, Gen Terao, is so influential that his journey even inspired a national NHK TV drama, making Balmuda not just a brand but a cultural phenomenon.
As someone who has been a huge fan of Balmuda for years, I was beyond excited to welcome them to our booth this year.
Why Coffee Fest L.A.?
We were so excited to have a booth at this event, and here were just a few highlights that made it such a special experience:
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Long-standing legacy:
Since hosting its first gathering in Seattle in 1992 and transitioning into a retail-style trade show in 1998, Coffee Fest has become a go-to event for specialty beverage professionals
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Record-breaking attendance:
At the 2024 Los Angeles edition, over 3,200 industry professionals—from café owners to roasters and baristas—attended, marking a 29% increase over the previous year
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Focused and impactful:
The show drew several thousand attendees from across the U.S. and select international markets.
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Dynamic tradeshow experience:
Visitors had the opportunity to attend competitions like the Latte Art World Championship, explore educational programming, try new products, and connect with key decision-makers.
Highlights from Booth No. 717 at Coffee Fest Los Angeles
At this year’s Coffee Fest Los Angeles, Booth No. 717 became a buzzing hub of design, flavor, and innovation—and we were so grateful to share the experience with everyone who stopped by.
From exclusive tastings to beautifully crafted displays, here’s a look back at some of the highlights that made our booth truly special.
1. Welcoming Balmuda: A Celebration of Design & Innovation
One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s event was partnering with Balmuda, the iconic Japanese brand known for reimagining everyday appliances through a lens of thoughtful design and precision engineering.
Visitors had a rare opportunity to see their beautifully designed products in person and learn more about the creative vision behind them. It was a true privilege to share the booth space with a company whose philosophy aligns so closely with ours: a deep respect for craftsmanship, form, and functionality.
2. A Full Tasting Flight of Our Signature Coffee Blends
For the very first time, we brought all nine of our signature coffee blends together—side by side—for an immersive tasting experience. From bold and smoky to bright and floral, each blend offered something distinct, and it was a joy to watch visitors explore the variety.
Many guests shared their favorite picks and told us how much they appreciated the opportunity to taste the full lineup in one place. It was also the debut of our new packaging design, reflecting the harmony of Japanese tradition and modern minimalism—something we’ve poured our hearts into over the past year.
3. A Booth Design Rooted in Japanese Craftsmanship — and the Spirit of Jazz Kissa
This year’s booth was more than just a visual showcase—it was an atmosphere. Designed by our Chief Branding Officer, Miki Pon, the space featured Port Orford Cedar, a rare and aromatic wood often referred to as the “Hinoki of America” (アメリカ檜). This special timber, once used in the sacred halls of Ise Jingu Shrine (伊勢神宮), added a calming, elegant texture to the space—subtly honoring Japanese craftsmanship and tradition.
But what truly brought the booth to life was the sound.
Throughout the event, we played carefully curated jazz records to capture the warm, nostalgic vibe of a Japanese Jazz Kissa (ジャズ喫茶)—those cozy, analog-era cafés where music isn’t just background noise but the soul of the room.
And to do it right, we used none other than the Balmuda speaker—a stunning piece of audio design that didn’t just sound amazing but looked right at home in our aesthetic setting. With its glowing center light and minimalist form, it added both auditory warmth and visual rhythm to the booth.
Guests often paused—not just to admire the woodwork or taste the coffee, but to simply listen, smile, and nod along to the music. It created a mood that many told us felt unexpected for a trade show: intimate, soulful, and distinctly us.
4. Serving Our Global Tea Champion Matcha — and Coffee Brewed with Balmuda The Brew
While our matcha earned plenty of attention—especially as the winner of five categories at the 2025 Global Tea Championship, including Grand Prize and Cup Character—what surprised and delighted many guests was how we served our coffee.
Throughout the event, we brewed all of our signature coffee blends using the Balmuda The Brew coffee maker. Known for its striking design and precise open-drip brewing method, this machine became a conversation piece all on its own.
Visitors were immediately drawn in by the visual performance—the elegant water flow, the steam rising, the gentle sounds—and even more so by the flavor. Many remarked on how smooth and nuanced the coffee tasted, with clarity in each note that elevated the entire tasting experience.
It wasn’t just about sampling coffee—it was about watching it come to life, one cup at a time. Thanks to Balmuda The Brew, the brewing process became part of the storytelling, seamlessly blending taste, design, and sensory delight.
5. Moments of Surprise and Connection
Beyond the products and presentations, what made Booth 717 truly special were the spontaneous moments—friends reconnecting, strangers becoming collaborators, and passionate conversations that reminded us why we love what we do.
Many guests told us they didn’t expect to stay as long as they did, but found themselves drawn in by the welcoming atmosphere, thoughtful design, and variety of experiences.
Download Printable Map of Coffee Fest 2025
Event Snapshot
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Coffee Fest Los Angeles 2025 |
| Dates | Friday, Aug 22 (10 AM–5 PM) & Saturday, Aug 23 (10 AM–4 PM) 2025 |
| Venue |
Los Angeles Convention Center 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Google Map |
| Booth | No. 717 (See Map above) |
With Gratitude
To everyone who visited our booth, thank you. Your presence, your stories, and your shared enthusiasm made Coffee Fest Los Angeles truly memorable for us. Whether you stopped by for a cup, a chat, or simply to take in the atmosphere—we’re so grateful you were part of it.
If you’d like to stay in the loop about our future events, tastings, and product launches, we invite you to sign up for our newsletter. It’s the best way to get early updates and join us again—wherever the next journey takes us.
We’re already dreaming of what comes next, and we look forward to welcoming you again soon.
FAQs about Coffee Fest Los Angeles 2025
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About the author
Kei Nishida
Author, CEO Dream of Japan
Certification: PMP, BS in Computer Science
Education: Western Washington University
Kei Nishida is a passionate Japanese tea and coffee connoisseur, writer, and the founder and CEO of Japanese Coffee Co. and Japanese Green Tea Co., both part of Dream of Japan.
His journey began with a mission to introduce the world to the unparalleled quality of Japanese green tea. Through Japanese Green Tea Co., he established the only company that sources premium tea grown in nutrient-rich sugarcane soil—an innovation that led to multiple Global Tea Champion awards.
Building on this success and his passion for Japanese craftsmanship, Kei expanded into the world of coffee, pioneering the launch of Japanese Coffee Co., the first company to bring Sumiyaki charcoal-roasted coffee to a global audience. His dedication to authenticity and quality ensures that this traditional Japanese roasting method, once a well-kept secret, is now enjoyed worldwide.
Beyond tea and coffee, Kei has also introduced Japan’s legendary craftsmanship to the world through Japanese Knife Co., making handmade katana-style knives—crafted by a renowned katana maker—available outside Japan for the first time.
Kei’s journey continues as he seeks out and shares the hidden treasures of Japan, one cup and one blade at a time.
Learn more about Kei
