Mihnea Nicolescu - Romania

May 27

Instagram: @mihneanicolescu

Please tell us a little about yourself:

"Hi, I’m Mihnea, and I am the 2026 Romania Brewers Cup Champion! I am a medical doctor by formation and now a university professor at the historic Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest—the oldest medical university in Romania (established in 1857). There, I teach dentistry students about cells, tissues, and the literal science of taste. In 2019, I entered my very first competition and won the Romanian Comandante Cup. Since then, I’ve loved pushing my limits across different disciplines—taking podiums in everything from Aeropress and Coffee in Good Spirits to Cezve/Ibrik and even the Swiss Moka Challenge in Switzerland. I also published the first Romanian Coffee Lexicon (the ""Cafecedar"") to help bridge the gap between science and specialty coffee. Fun Facts: 1. A Historic First: My trip to the World Brewers Cup stage marks the first time a medical university has ever been represented at this level of competition! 2. Double Champion: When I'm not calculating coffee extractions, I'm calculating board game strategies—I am a two-time Romanian National Champion for the board game Carcassonne! 3. Best Month Ever: 2026 is unforgettable—I won the Romanian Brewers Cup the exact same week my wonderful baby boy celebrated his one-month anniversary! Follow my journey as I get ready to make history for Romania!"

What are you excited to do while you visit Brussels?

I have three things on my Brussels list - visit a high-end bean-to-bar chocolatier, pick up some souvenirs for my wife and my baby-boy and explore Belgian specialty coffee scene.

What are your interests outside of coffee?

First of all - Science, I am an active researcher in the field of regenerative medicine. Last, but not least, boardgames - I am two-times Romanian National Champion at Carcassonne and proud to be part of the National Team, in which we have two world-champions.

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

I would like to thank to my family, for their incredible patience and support and to all my friend in Romania Coffee Community, who were very kind and helped me with advices, equipment and of course lots of beans :)

What roaster do you currently roast on and how long have you been roasting coffee for?

I don't roast coffee, I just prepare it :)

What is your favorite coffee brewing method and why?

I love pour-over coffee, especially using new devices, like Cafec Deep 27 or Taurlia Purion Dripper, to explore various methods of unlocking new flavours of the same coffee.