COLOMBIA: Baristas from around the world gather in Colombia to find out who brews the best cup of coffee
Record ID:
1519573
COLOMBIA: Baristas from around the world gather in Colombia to find out who brews the best cup of coffee
- Title: COLOMBIA: Baristas from around the world gather in Colombia to find out who brews the best cup of coffee
- Date: 7th June 2011
- Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (JUNE 5, 2011) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF PEOPLE DURING THE WORLD BARISTA CHAMPIONSHIP CLOSE UP OF CHAMPIONSHIP LOGO GENERAL VIEW OF CHAMPIONSHIP BARISTA DURING COMPETITION VARIOUS OF BARISTA PREPARING COFFEE BEVERAGE CAMERA MAN DURING COMPETITION (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD BARISTA CHAMPIONSHIP. MARK INMAN, PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD COFFEE EVENTS SAYING: "This particular competition that we manage, the World Barista Championship, is a culinary competition focusing on the high art of espresso preparation. This year we have 54 countries competing for the world barista championship title and what has been amazing for the past handful of years is that more and more coffee-producing countries have been to the finals" VARIOUS OF BARISTA MAKING ESPRESSO COFFEE DURING COMPETITION JUDGES DURING COMPETITION (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH BARISTA CHAMPION, JAVIER GARCIA, SAYING: "I believe the importance of the WBC, the World Barista Championship, goes beyond the baristas' community and beyond winning prestige among us. If we take a step back and go to the blender, go harvest our coffee beans and begin to think about where this bean comes from, how it has been treated and grown -- then, well, I believe it is about dignifying the entire coffee chain. At the end of every day, each time I prepare a cup, I try to think more about producers and transport myself to the growing countries." VARIOUS OF BARISTA MAKING COFFEE DURING COMPETITION VARIOUS OF BARISTA MAKING ESPRESSO VARIOUS OF JUDGES TRYING THE ESPRESSO GENERAL VIEW OF COMPETITION
- Embargoed: 21st June 2011 20:57
- Keywords:
- Location: Colombia, Colombia
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA67QYVEFJ1N2VGFJ9MH9QE6MH1
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: The world's top baristas gathered in Bogota on Sunday (June 5) to show off their espress-making skills.
National winners from 54 countries vied for the champion's title in the competition that kicked off on Thursday (June 2) in Colombia, one of the world's largest coffee producers.
The World Barista Championship, now in its 12th edition, crowned the barista who makes the best espresso, cappuccino and specialty drinks.
Organizer Mark Inman said that participants from coffee-producing countries have had an edge in the competition.
"This particular competition that we manage, the World Barista Championship, is a culinary competition focusing on the high art of espresso preparation. This year we have 54 countries competing for the world barista championship title and what has been amazing for the past handful of years is that more and more coffee-producing countries have been to the finals," he said.
Each contestant had to prepare four espressos, four cappuccinos, and four original signature drinks in a 15-minute performance observed by dozens of judges.
Besides the taste of the beverages, baristas were also judged on their presentation, technique, cleanliness and service skills.
It was the first time that the global competition took place in a coffee-producing country, and many baristas enjoyed the opportunity to take a close look at coffee brewing and growing.
The contest was held in conjunction with an annual conference and exhibition hosted by the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation, and participants toured Colombian coffee farms in the beginning of the week.
Spanish champion Javier Garcia said he began to think more about the background of the coffee bean that arrived in his hands after the competition.
"I believe the importance of the WBC, the World Barista Championship, goes beyond the baristas' community and beyond winning prestige among us. If we take a step back and go to the blender, go harvest our coffee beans and begin to think about where this bean comes from, how it has been treated and grown -- then, well, I believe it is about dignifying the entire coffee chain. At the end of every day, each time I prepare a cup, I try to think more about producers and transport myself to the growing countries," he said.
El Salvador's Alejandro Mendez, 23, was crowned as winner, succeeding former champion Michael Phillips of the United States.
Colombia is known as the world's No. 1 producer of top-quality washed arabica coffee, grown in lush mountain ranges at high altitudes.
Thirty percent of the country's agricultural land is dedicated to coffee and this year it is expected to produce between 9 and 9.5 million bags. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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