Young Baek
In 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' Champion
2022 Australian Cup Tasters' Champion
Jeane 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 Adams
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