Who he is
Norwegian roaster, World Barista Champion 2004 and World Cup Tasters Champion 2005. Founder of Tim Wendelboe in Oslo — espresso bar, micro-roastery, and training centre that defined the Nordic light-roast style.
Philosophy
- The roaster's job is to get out of the coffee's way. Roast light, brew clean.
- Direct trade, long relationships. Owns part of Finca El Suelo in Colombia and works with the same producers for over a decade.
- Filter coffee is the truer expression of origin; espresso is a special case.
Notable quotes
"I want to roast coffees that taste like the place they came from."
"If a coffee tastes bad, it's almost always the brewing — not the bean."
Signature gear & coffee
- Probat & Loring roasters; EK43 + La Marzocco Strada
- Kalita Wave for filter; long, gentle pours
- Kenyans, Colombians, Ethiopians from named farms — often natural and washed lots from the same producer side-by-side
Known for
- 2004 WBC, 2005 WCTC — one of very few to win both
- The Nordic roast aesthetic: pale, juicy, transparent
- Mentor to a generation of European roasters
Championships
2004 · World Barista Championship
Champion- Sponsor
- Stockfleths