Barista Magazine

DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

Barista Magazine is your home for the worldwide community of coffee and the people who make it.

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87 www.baristamagazine.com importantly, is that these so-called competitions are so much more than just that. These life-changing events are opening doors for all baristas and judges. These competitions allow baristas and judges to explore the world of coffee from many different perspectives. Before these championships, people used to think that baristas had only a few places to grow into. Now I have seen baristas and judges evolve into trainers, Q grad - ers, roasters, and entrepreneurs creating jobs and paying taxes. That is why it is so important to support these championships! We must look back at all of those who have competed in coffee championships and appreciate how they have shaped the coffee industry. KRO: What are some of the most interesting and inspiring competi - tions and competitors you've attended or seen? JCA: This might sound like a cliché to you, but I think that they all are. Each competition is unique. They all happen in different places with different people. When one experiences the national champi - onships as much as I do, one begins to home in on the difference in cultures and pride behind coffee producers and baristas. You start to appreciate each and every performance, the barista's passion, and because of their cultural differences, this can take many different forms. What I can tell you is about baristas that have had the opportunity to change their environment and become better people—not only bet - ter at their craft, but better in general. I have seen baristas helping each other out. I have seen baristas lending their equipment to other baristas so that they can have the same possibilities while competing. I have heard people say that by winning, they have something that their families can be proud about. I have heard them say that there is no better feeling than to represent their country in a World Barista Championship! And this is truly inspiring. KRO: Through your work in specialty coffee, you've met people from all over the world and helped build an international community. When you started in specialty coffee, did you expect to find such an interconnected world? JCA: I never imagined that the world could be so small. I think that [the concept of] six degrees of separation had its start in the coffee world. Coffee people are very friendly and seem to share more than just an interest in coffee. It is very rewarding to meet so many people who are extremely knowledgeable about coffee and who are willing to share it! I guess that helps this world of coffee [be so closely knit]. One of the perks of my occupation is that I get to meet the most incredible people in all the different countries I am fortunate to visit. I have visited farms, have eaten at people's houses, and have experi - enced how baristas and producers relate to their families and to the rest of the community. While traveling, I have always felt that I am surrounded by friends who watch over me even in cases when I can - not understand a word they say, like in Russia or Japan. This makes this coffee world so interesting to me. One day, one is having dinner with a very influential CEO of an espresso machine manufacturing company, and the next day, one is sitting at a hut at a coffee farm, sharing lunch with a coffee picker, and in both cases, talking about coffee quality. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! DON't MISS AN ISSUE! www.baristamagazine.com " /" ,Ê³Ê "6 ,ÊÓä£{ÊUÊ6"1Ê£äÉ--1Ê{ COFFEE KEYSTONE VARIETY CROSSBREEDS + TRANSPLANTS KEEPING YOUR STAFF HAPPY COFFEE SHOPS + GENTRIFICATION BARISTA CHAMPS IN ECUADOR AMSTERDAM ON THE CAFE MAP PPY B ARI ARIST ARIST ARIST ARIST ARIST ST T A C A C A C A C A C A C A C C H AM AMP AMPS AMPS AMPS AMPS AMPS AMPS AMPS PS IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN EC EC EC EC EC EC C UA UAD UADOR UADOR UADOR UADOR A MST ,ÊÓä£{Ê³Ê 1,9ÊÓä£xÊUÊ6"1Ê£äÉ--1Êx BEST BAR TOOLS 2014 MAXWELL COLONNA-DASHWOOD ON ADVANCED WATER SCIENCE Q+A WITH JOSE CLEOFAS ARREOLA FIELD REPORTS FROM COLOMBIA, PANAMA, AND GREECE & THE BOOMING BERLIN CAFE SCENE , ,

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