The Malaysian capital is often visited in a hurry, but visitors who take the time to explore will discover a welcoming city, thanks in part to its friendly specialty cafés. BY TANYA NANETTI SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos by Tanya Nanetti Kuala Lumpur, the capital...
Competition, Cold, and More from the 2024 U.S. Coffee Competition Qualifiers in Houston
Competition, Cold, and More from the 2024 U.S. Coffee Competition Qualifiers in Houston
Competition, Cold, and More from the 2024 U.S. Coffee Competition Qualifiers in Houston
Competition, Cold, and More from the 2024 U.S. Coffee Competition Qualifiers in Houston
Competition, Cold, and More from the 2024 U.S. Coffee Competition Qualifiers in Houston
Competition, Cold, and More from the 2024 U.S. Coffee Competition Qualifiers in Houston
Thread Coffee Roasters Opens Tailor-Made Roastery in Baltimore
The interwoven actions of Thread Coffee Roasters in Baltimore are finding exponentially more space this week with the grand opening of a brand-new production roastery and training lab. The worker-owned...
Toronto’s Pilot Coffee Roasters Acquiring Bridgehead Coffee for $3.6 Million
Toronto, Ontario-based specialty coffee roaster and retailer Pilot Coffee Roasters is acquiring Ottawa-based Bridgehead Coffee in a deal worth approximately US$3.6 million. Bridgehead, which has 21 coffee shop locations throughout...
Baking With Coffee For Beginners
This article is from the coffee website Sprudge at http://sprudge.com. This is the RSS feed version. Where to get started when introducing coffee to your bakes.
Bypass coffee brewing: How can it improve extraction?
There is a lot of science to brewing coffee. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, we trigger – and try to control – an almost endless number of chemical reactions to achieve the perfect extraction. To do so, we have to tweak different variables – such as grind size,...
Hawaiian Legislators Introduce Bills for Stricter Coffee Labeling
Legislators representing the Kona district of Hawaii have introduced a series of bills that would require more strict labeling requirements for single-origin coffees and blends containing Hawaiian-grown coffees. Some Kona...
New AFCA Director Gilbert Gatali on the 20th African Fine Coffees Conference
As the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) prepares for the 20th iteration of its flagship event, the African Fine Coffees Conference and Exhibition, the group is operating under new executive...
Philadelphia’s Café Don Pedro Seeks to Build Up Small Businesses
A Dominican-owned coffee roasting company called Café Don Pedro recently launched in Philadelphia with ambitions for direct trading and boosting more Latino-owned small businesses throughout its supply and distribution networks....
How much do you over-extract coffee in recipes?
This is sort of an odd question, but it's not a troll. While I love brewing specialty coffee, I also enjoy frappes (with or without ice cream). A major hurdle when using my espresso has been that while the final beverage tastes fine, the coffee is just too high...
Sprudge Maps Spotlight: Little Bear Coffee In Albuquerque, NM
This article is from the coffee website Sprudge at http://sprudge.com. This is the RSS feed version. Little Bear Coffee in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Starbucks Will Hold their Own Barista Championship Thank You Very Much
This article is from the coffee website Sprudge at http://sprudge.com. This is the RSS feed version. The North American Barista Championship is expected to host over 15,000 Starbucks hourly workers.
What I Learned from My First Tea Ceremony
After taking in a brief moment of a tea ceremony in Thailand, I finally had the chance to participate in the full experience recently in Malaysia. BY TANYA NANETTI SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos by Tanya Nanetti In the years that I worked as a barista in a café,...
Why it’s easier for wealthier producers to grow specialty coffee
It takes money – and sometimes a lot – to grow specialty coffee. Producers not only need to continuously maintain and improve quality and yields, but they also have to invest back into their farms. Whether it’s replacing equipment and machinery or planting more...
Does specialty Robusta exist?
Hello! Has anyone tried 'specialty robusta'? I work with specialty cacao, and I often observe Robusta shrubs being cultivated at lower altitudes alongside cacao trees. Some farmers are experimenting with carbonic maceration to enhance the marketability of...
[MOD] The Daily Question Thread
Welcome to the daily /r/Coffee question thread! There are no stupid questions here, ask a question and get an answer! We all have to start somewhere and sometimes it is hard to figure out just what you are doing right or doing wrong. Luckily, the /r/Coffee community...
The Sprudge Guide To Coffee Shops In Vancouver, BC
This article is from the coffee website Sprudge at http://sprudge.com. This is the RSS feed version. Where to drink coffee in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Coffee Machine (High density use)
Hi everyone, i am new in this coffee world and i am looking to buy me a coffee machine to setup a small business. I am looking for affordable machine that is good for high density use. Im open for any recommendation and opinion. Thank you guys! Here is what ive found...
Which to buy first?
Hi there, mostly a lurker until now. I'm trying to incentivize myself towards some goals and decided that rewarding myself with a better coffee set up upon reaching those goals would be great. I plan to get myself one nice thing when I reach my intermediate goal...
[MOD] The Official Deal Thread
Welcome to the /r/Coffee deal and promotional thread! In this weekly thread, industry folk can post upcoming deals or other promotions their companies are holding, or promote new products to /r/Coffee subscribers! Regular users can also post deals they come across....
The London Coffee Festival has just more than doubled its ticket price
Last year: £18 This year: £38 Unbelievable. It’s the same venue and same setup. I’m just an ordinary coffee fan and every year I spend a lot buying roasts and equipment there. submitted by /u/gahgeer-is-back [link] [comments]
Explain making good coffee to me like I’m 5.
Hi everyone, I’m not new to drinking coffee, but I’d like to start making it (well) at home myself. I’m totally clueless. I have an old Keurig that I rarely use, as well as a basic Mr. Coffee maker. Usually I buy dark roast ground coffee (I do like a good, strong cup...
Seeking instant test for rough caffeine level in coffee
About once a month, some inattentive barista gives me regular coffee by mistake, which is a bummer. I drink decaf. So when I get coffee at a cafe, I'd like to do an instant test of the rough caffeine level by dipping a strip into the coffee. Something analogous...
Questions/thoughts on cardamom-forward "thermal shock" processed coffees.
Hey everyone, Having a cup of Buttercream from September roasters and got to thinking. This is the second thermal-shock processed coffee I have had with this huge, distinctive cardamom note (The other being DAK milky cake which is also from Colombia, but from a...
Third Wave Coffee brands
Greetings to all, I am reaching out to this knowledgeable community with a query regarding the recognition of coffee brands within the third wave coffee movement. Is there an existing, publicly accessible list that categorizes and acknowledges coffee brands as part of...
Competition, Cold, and More from the 2024 U.S. Coffee Competition Qualifiers in Houston
The first round of qualifiers for the 2024 season of the United States Coffee Competitions featured the U.S. Barista, Cup Tasters, and Roasters qualifying competitions.
BY KATE VAN PETTEN
SPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE
Photos courtesy of U.S. CoffeeChamps
The first round of qualifiers for the 2024 season of the United States Coffee Competitions took place January 16-19 at The Power Center in Houston, featuring the U.S. Barista, U.S. Cup Tasters, and U.S. Roasters qualifying competitions. Despite Houston facing an uncommon deep freeze caused by a nationwide Arctic blast, which disrupted flights and created a cold week in Texas, industry leaders, volunteers, and competitors worked together to host an inspiring qualifying competition.
The Community Comes Together
The event boasted a strong presence from coffee community leaders, including Houston-based Anita Tam of Slow Pour Supply, who assumed the role of U.S. Competitions Coordinator. Former U.S. Barista Champions Isaiah Sheese, Morgan Eckroth, Andrea Allen, Lem Butler, and Kyle Ramage were all actively involved: Lem and Isaiah served as emcees, Morgan returned to compete, Andrea supported Morgan with the Onyx Coffee Lab team, and Kyle assisted numerous competitors from Black & White Coffee Roasters and beyond.
In the Barista competition, creative setups like Reyna Callejo’s light-up boxes and Morgan Eckroth’s moss-covered scene captivated spectators. However, the introduction of new sponsored grinding equipment introduced technical issues that led some competitors to exceed their allotted time, with only half a point separating the qualifiers.
In the Cup Tasters competition, 11 participants successfully identified all six triangulations, with Tony Auger securing the top spot in an impressive 1 minute and 14.19 seconds.
Meanwhile, Wenbo Yang emerged victorious in the Roasters competition, adding to an already impressive resume; he was the 2023 U.S. Brewers Cup Champion and the 2023 U.S. Latte Art Championship runner-up.
Overcoming Obstacles
Despite thorough preparation and travel to Houston, Barista competitor Addison Mathis, who placed first in the preliminary competition in Raleigh, N.C., was unable to compete due to a COVID outbreak, raising concerns about safety measures for future competitions. Additionally, the absence of masks among judges and attendees prompted further safety discussions during the competition, which took place amid the second-largest COVID surge in the U.S. since 2020.
The 2024 U.S. Coffee Championships qualifiers in Houston not only showcased the resilience and dedication of participants but also highlighted the unwavering support and solidarity within the coffee community. The stage is set for an exciting display of talent and camaraderie as qualifying competitors prepare to compete for the national title in their respective events.
Full Results and What’s to Come
Looking forward, the final two U.S. CoffeeChamps qualifying events for the season will take place February 1-4 at AMP by Strathmore in Bethesda, Md., for Brewers Cup and Latte Art, and February 2-4 at Counter Culture Coffee in Washington, D.C., for Coffee in Good Spirits.
For competitors advancing from the Houston event, the U.S. Barista Championship and U.S. Cup Tasters Championship will be held at Klatch Coffee in Rancho Cucamonga, California, March 15-17. The U.S. Roasters Championship will take place April 11-14 in Chicago, in conjunction with the Specialty Coffee Expo.
The following Houston competitors advanced to the three national championships:
U.S. BARISTA COMPETITION
- Morgan Eckroth, Onyx Coffee Lab – Portland, Ore.
- Kay Cheon, Dune Coffee – Santa Barbara, Calif.
- Reyna Callejo, Olympia Coffee – Seattle
- Reef Bessette, The Coffee Movement – San Francisco
- David Ellis, Oh Oh Coffee – Aurora, Colo.
- Jake McFarland, Black & White Coffee Roasters – Raleigh, N.C.
- Jason Yeo, Saint Frank Coffee – San Francisco
- Arturo Mandujano Jr., MoonGoat Coffee Roasters – Costa Mesa, Calif.
- Rafael Levy Diner, Onyx Coffee Lab – Rogers, Ark.
- Jamie Patel, Counter Culture Coffee – Durham, N.C.
- Noel Goodwin, Hagen Coffee Roasters – Seattle
- Seidy Selvanow, Kafiex Roasters – Vancouver, Wash.
- Gavy Oesmoto, Eyes Peeled Coffee – Los Angeles
- Frank La, Be Bright Coffee – Los Angeles
- Meg Skop, The Coffee Movement – San Francisco
- Dakota Graff, Onyx Coffee Lab – Rogers, Ark.
- Jeremy Bennet, Bennett’s Coffee Co. – Rockville, Md.
- Hugo Cano, Amberson Coffee – Indianapolis
- Jinwoo Ahn, Cafe Grumpy – Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Anthony Ragler, Black & White Coffee Roasters – Raleigh, N.C.
- Lynn Hrabovsky, Cosmic Bloom Coffee – Vista, Calif.
- Phillip White, Independent – Los Angeles
- Gray Kaufman, Independent – Seattle
- Miranda Haney, Barista Friend – Austin, Texas
U.S. CUP TASTERS COMPETITION
- Tony Auger, Goshen Coffee
- Helen Choi, Luce Coffee Roasters
- Tom Bomford, Black Fox Coffee
- Konoka Hattori, Onyx Coffee Lab
- Ryan Sullivan, Mostra Coffee
- Kimberly Zash, Sightseer Coffee
- Inwook Park, FairWave Coffee Collective
- Brittany Gross, Speedwell Coffee
- Luke Jung, Luce Coffee Roasters
- Ashleigh Chrisena Ricci, Tipico Coffee
- Mehmet Sogan, Memli Coffee
- Steve Cuevas, Independent
- Jie Jang, Less and More Coffee
- Samuel Demisse, Keffa Coffee
- Sergei Kutrovski, Narrative Coffee
- Bear Soliven, Onyx Coffee Lab
- Josh Neibert, Keffa Coffee
- Sean Coyne, Brio Coffeeworks
- Elli Kang, Pave
- Daniel Borras, Perc Coffee
- Hyacinth Rios, Coffee Project NY
- Kenzel Fallen, Three Keys Coffee
- Kimhak Em, Pair Cupworks
- Michael Matthews, Alinea Coffee Roasters/BearCat
U.S. ROASTERS COMPETITION
- Wenbo Yang
- Tio Fallen
- Hyo Jung Kim
- Tony Auger
- Michael Matthews
- Brian Hensley
- Eduardo Choza
- Alix Nathan
- Eric Stone
- Steve Cuevas
- Kimhak Em
- Alex Huang
- Matthew Selivanow
- Dana Borque
- Mark Kove
- Zachary Steele
This information is provided as listed from the comprehensive list of scores on the U.S. Coffee Champs website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate Van Petten (they/them) is a writer, musician, and coffee professional based in Seattle. They have worked in the specialty-coffee industry for years with a focus on creative storytelling through marketing. You can find their songs and poems in Coffee People Zine, and you can listen to their debut audiobook, For Someone, on cassette tape or online via Hello America Stereo Cassette. They are currently an editor and publicist for Poetry Northwest, the Pacific Northwest’s longest-running literary journal. If you want to share a story or connect, you can reach them at katevanpetten@gmail.com.
Subscribe and More!
Out now: It’s the December 2023 + January 2024 issue! Read it for free with our digital edition. And for more than three years’ worth of issues, visit our digital edition archives here.
You can order a hard copy of the magazine through our online store here, or start a subscription for one year or two.
The post Competition, Cold, and More from the 2024 U.S. Coffee Competition Qualifiers in Houston appeared first on Barista Magazine Online.