In the world of coffee, apart from the cafes and hand-drip coffee we see every day, there are many exciting coffee competitions. These competitions are not only a competition for baristas, but also an important part of coffee culture.
Below are some representative coffee competitions.
World Barista Championship ( WBC ): Known as the "Oscars" of the coffee world, this is the highest level competition for baristas. Competitors complete a designated coffee drink within 15 minutes, and the judges evaluate the coffee's taste, latte art, creativity, etc.
www.beanscenemag.com.au
World Barista Championship (WBC)
Month: April every year
May 1, 2024 to May 4, 2024
detail:
Competitors must make a total of six cups of coffee, two of each of three different coffee drinks - espresso, cappuccino and an original drink - within 15 minutes.
Judges will evaluate each coffee drink based on a comprehensive assessment of appearance, aroma, taste, brewing technique, creativity, etc.
In recent years, Asian players have been emerging, and in 2016 Taiwan's Wu Ze-lin won the tournament.
World Latte Art Championship (WLAC): A competition to test latte art skills. Competitors complete various latte art patterns within a set time, and the judges evaluate the patterns based on their difficulty, beauty, overall impression, etc.
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www.worldlatteart.org
World Latte Art Championship (WLAC)
Month: November every year
detail:
Using espresso and milk, contestants must complete two types of latte art - freestyle and etched - for a total of four cups.
Judges will evaluate each latte art on symmetry, contrast, execution, creativity, and more.
In recent years, European players have been strong, with Italy's Paolo Fromelty winning multiple times.
World Cup Tasters Championship (WCTC): A coffee tasting competition in which competitors must identify the taste characteristics of different coffee beans through cup tasting.
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worldcoffeeevents.org
World Cup Tasters Championship (WCTC)
Month: January every year
detail:
The contestants are provided with eight sets of the same type of coffee beans and are asked to evaluate the aroma, acidity, sweetness, bitterness, body, aftertaste, etc.
The top winners will then compete in the finals, tasting different types of coffee beans and competing on accuracy and speed.
The 2023 winner was Paul Bass from the United States.
World Coffee Roasting Championship (WCRC): A competition to test the skills of roasting coffee beans. Competitors must roast the best-tasting coffee beans. Judges evaluate the coffee beans on their appearance, aroma, taste, etc.
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www.worldcoffeeroasting.org
World Coffee Roasting Championship (WCRC)
Month: September every year
detail:
The contestants roast the green beans of their choice and submit them to the judges.
Judges evaluate each coffee bean on its appearance, aroma, acidity, sweetness, bitterness, body and balance.
In recent years, Nordic athletes have been strong, with Norway's Trine Fridsen winning multiple times.
World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship (WCSC): A creative competition that combines coffee and spirits. Competitors must create delicious and original coffee cocktails.
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www.worldcoffeeingoodspirits.org
World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship (WCSC)
Month: October every year
detail:
Each contestant must create four original cocktails, two of which are made with coffee and two of which are made with spirits.
Judges will evaluate each cocktail on its appearance, aroma, taste and creativity.
Cocktails can be made with spirits such as vodka, rum, tequila, and gin.
In recent years, American athletes have been doing well, with Claire Waterman winning in 2022.
World Siphon Championship (WSC): A competition to see who can make the best tasting coffee using a siphon. The contestants must use a siphon to make the best tasting coffee. The judges evaluate the coffee on its taste, aroma, appearance, etc.
worldsiphonistchampionship.org