OSLO, Norway – The first coffee brewer was certified by the European Coffee Brewing Centre (ECBC) in 1976. It was a Moccamaster made by the Dutch manufacturer Technivorm. This marked the beginning of a collaboration between manufacturers and the testing laboratory that has helped raise the quality of coffee brewers – not only in Europe, but around the world.
A Norwegian Institution with International Significance: ECBC was established in 1972 by the Norwegian Coffee Association as Europe’s first independent testing laboratory for coffee brewing. The goal was to ensure that consumers could enjoy better coffee – every single time.
Before 1976, there were few standards for electric coffee brewers. Many brewers on the market operated at temperatures that were too low, and brewing times were either too short or too long.
The approval program demonstrated that filter coffee could be brewed perfectly when the correct time and temperature were used. This contributed to a surge in the popularity of drip coffee in Norway. Marit Lynes, Managing Director of the Norwegian Coffee Association, speaks highly of the development:
“More and more manufacturers are joining the program, and the range of approved products has never been bigger. Easy access to approved equipment across all price ranges benefits consumers,” says Lynes.
Built on Research
With the establishment of the European Coffee Brewing Centre in 1972, Norway gained the largest and most advanced testing centre in the world for coffee research and education in coffee preparation.
The requirements on which the approval was based were not new. Groundbreaking research was conducted in the United States during the 1950s, when the National Coffee Association carried out studies to determine how best to define ‘coffee quality’ in terms of flavour. The findings from these studies laid the foundation for the principles of proper coffee preparation.
The approval program has evolved over the years and today includes brewers for both commercial and home use, coffee grinders for home use, and batch brewers and bean to cup for the professional market.
Testing Partner for SCA
In 1997, the SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America) launched its own certification program. The ECBC and the SCA have enjoyed a long-standing partnership, and since 2023 ECBC has served as a testing partner for SCA. All testing related to the SCA Certified Home Brewer Program is conducted at ECBC in Oslo.
Growing Interest
ECBC is just as relevant to manufacturers and consumers today as it was 50 years ago. Demand for high-quality coffee remains strong, and coffee enthusiasts around the world appreciate excellent raw materials. To achieve the best results, brewing equipment must operate with the correct time and temperature.
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