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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Vol.45 Cup Taster is fun? Interview with 2023 World Cup Taster Champion

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