Vol.45 Cup Taster is fun? Interview with 2023 World Cup Taster Champion
Coffeeplus播客
Young BaekIn June 2023, at the Greek World Cup, on the finals stage of the World Cup Tasters' Championship, the champion was determined when the last young man in black lifted the final cup of coffee. The host couldn't hide his excitement and roared, while cheers erupted sporadically from the audience. This spirited young man from Sydney, Australia, perhaps never imagined that it would only take him 4 years to get to this point. His name is Young Back, a Korean grew up in New Zealand. Originally a tennis player and psychology student, he and a friend came to Sydney during university while pondering life’s direction and reluctantly joined the coffee industry due to tight finances. From ignorance to certainty, it seems like a call of destiny that his journey exploring specialty coffee went so smoothly. Perhaps owing to an athlete's strong willpower and training, and a clear sense of goal, he always manages to make optimal career planning at the right time and place.The format of the World Cup Tasters' Championship involved a triangulation cupping method. 8 sets of coffee, each with 3 cups; one of which is different from the other two, and competitors need to identify the different cup as quickly as possible, continuing this way through 8 rounds of testing. Accuracy takes priority, and the one who completes it in the shortest time wins.This competition, which seems to only require a spoon and mouth, is far more difficult than it appears. Even simply drinking has its intricacies. Different coffees are diluted, blended, stirred, and rearranged in order after various proportions, and many times, those preparing these "behind-the-scenes black hands" will even adjust the proportions to a minuscule degree. It requires so much concentration and fast response to stand out amongst all the National winners.Perhaps after listening to this episode, you will start to be interested in the cupping competition and want to practice at home. Young also shared a low-threshold home cupping practice method. Grab a cupping spoon and happily Slurp~"『Guest Speaker』Young Baek 2023 World Cup Tasters' Champion2022 Australian Cup Tasters' ChampionJeane Laurora 『Table of Contents』 00:04:22 Young's introduction 00:04:55 First impression on Coffee 00:06:03 Childhood experience 00:07:46 The first coffee taste alike 00:09:12 Move up to Sydney 00:10:33 Find a job in urgency 00:11:04 Barista's salary 4 years ago 00:11:31 Hired by Guylian chocolate cafe 00:12:22 Jeane & Young's love story 00:22:50 Influenced by James Hoffman 00:23:15 Start a specialty coffee journey at woodpacker 00:25:07 Barista skill built up at Regiment 00:27:13 Special period under Covid 00:27:58 Time to start on Goodsline 00:31:14 Meet Paul by friend's recommendation 00:34:11 Start focusing on sensory after joining ONA COFFEE 00:37:05 Sensory as a fundamental skill for coffee industrial professionals 00:39:13 Nuno made his commitment to Young as his mentor during the competition journey00:41:00 Nuno's wishes for Young 00:42:10 A random spoon will be given by Nuna 00:43:01 Fortunate journey to be a champion 00:44:42 The most difficult part of sensory training 00:46:03 Tips for memorizing flavours 00:52:28 Different understanding of flavours 00:55:17 Attitude on artifical flavours 01:04:59 Cupping protocols 01:09:19 The true meaning of cup taster's competition in real workplace 01:13:01 Does cup taster's competition needs description? 01:16:59 What makes this competition so difficult 01:19:12 Recall the Final stage 01:22:48 Rules for the temperature 01:24:35 Cupping spoon materials 01:26:42 Gold tip for drinking water 01:30:11 Consistent home cupping practice 01:32:15 Health condition may affect decision making skills 01:35:22 Dietary during the competition 01:39:22 Difficult time 01:39:15 Meaning of supported by the whole Sydney community『HOST』YIKE『PHOTO GALLERY』BGM: Mosswood -Steve AdamsIf you like this channel, you can access it via Apple podcast, Spotify, Google podcast and Overcast, Search "Coffeeplus播客" for listening.Email:[email protected]