Ieva Ivone, Lithuania

Taste Map Coffee Roasters

Please tell us a little about yourself:

I run and own Taste Map Coffee Roasters in Vilnius , Lithuania togerther with my husband and our great team.

Started my coffee journey in 2010. Working behind the bar was so inspiring that I spent that year volunteering at the World Barista Championship (WBC) in London. In 2011, I began competing myself and traveled to the WBC in Bogota to support my husband as he represented Lithuania.

Competitions are in my blood and I love them. They provide a way to challenge myself and improve. Since 2011, I’ve become 2x Lithuanian Latte Art champion, 2x cup tasters vice-champion of Lithuania, and the 2026 Lithuanian Barista champion.

Meeting so many great people in the industry and seeing how coffee beans reach our hands during our first origin trip to Colombia changed everything.

After we returned home, we decided to start our own coffee business - Taste Map Coffee Roasters - to bring specialty coffee culture to Lithuania. Started from the roastery 15 years ago, today we also operate 5 specialty coffee shops in our capital, Vilnius.

I primarily manage the coffee shops, working closely with the team and spending time behind the bar.
I am also a mother of two active boys so in some situations coffee helps to save the day :)

I believe that running a specialty coffee business is all about the coffee and the people—you have to love them both.

What are you excited to do while you visit the Panama city?:

The most important is meeting and having coffee with our friends and coffee producers in specialty coffee shops in Casco Viejo and of course WOC.
Rooftop bars and vibes there are spectacular and as I am a real foodie would be nice to have some seafood dinner at nice places. Panama Canal is incredible thing to see and learn about.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

I really love to travel, so looking for coffee is a really good reason :))
Food preparation, sourdough bread, cocktails and sports like skiing during winter and cycling during summer period, reading and spending active time with my boys.

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WCC?:

My husband, Domas, for everything—sourcing coffee, roasting, coaching, and looking after our children.

The Taste Map dream team, who take care of the coffee shops and roastery while we compete, supporting me throughout the process. This competition is truly a team effort.

The coffee producers, who processed their coffees into exceptional competition lots.

Our parents, for their invaluable help with family duties and the children during my preparation.

Lithuanian Specialty Coffee Association, "Kavos entuziastai," for their energy, passion and for bringing championships back to Lithuania. This is really important to motivate baristas and involve them into specialty coffee even more.

All the coffee people who helped during my preparation—washing dishes, tasting drinks, and supporting me regardless of the circumstances.

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