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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