Within the last a part of our chat, we discuss to the veteran of a number of U.S. CoffeeChamps occasions about approaching competitors and his unceasing ardour for espresso.

BY CHRIS RYAN
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE

Featured picture courtesy of World Espresso Occasions

Within the first a part of our dialog with Wenbo “Joe” Yang yesterday, we realized how he found specialty espresso and pursued his ardour to varied espresso jobs in Portland, Ore. In the present day, we end our chat by studying about his path by myriad espresso competitions.

This interview has been edited for size and readability.

Barista Journal: Let’s speak about espresso competitions! How did you get taken with competing?

Joe Yang: In 2016, after shifting to the U.S., I went to Atlanta for the Specialty Espresso Expo. I felt I wanted to find extra espresso abilities, as a result of in China I had been extra targeted on advertising and marketing stuff. So Atlanta was my first time seeing the U.S. Espresso Championships; I sat there for 3 days and watched the entire thing. And in that second, I felt like I needed to strive it. I additionally felt the competitors may push me to be taught extra English, since you want it to do the shows, and in addition that this was an opportunity to extend my social abilities.

And also you’ve accomplished virtually each competitors, proper?

Yeah. First I did the AeroPress competitors in 2016 or 2017—that one was extra enjoyable, however simply to really feel what a espresso competitors was like. Then I did Brewers Cup in 2017; since then I’ve accomplished each U.S. CoffeeChamps competitors besides Espresso in Good Spirits. I don’t drink alcohol, in order that’s why I’m not leaping into that one.

Let’s discuss concerning the two U.S. competitions you’ve gained, beginning with Brewers Cup in 2023. What was the expertise wish to win, after which to simply miss the semifinals on the World Brewers Cup in Athens, Greece?

I by no means anticipated that I may win final yr as a result of it was solely my second time competing within the Brewers Cup. However I additionally suppose my perspective helped me win this competitors—as a result of I didn’t suppose I may win, I didn’t actually really feel harassed. I simply loved the competitors, and I really feel that helped my presentation go very well.

However once I went to the world competitors in Greece, I felt actually harassed as a result of I used to be representing the U.S. and I actually needed to go to the finals. As a result of I used to be harassed, I tousled loads of stuff. Even the music—they didn’t play my music, however I didn’t discover till I had mentioned “time” (to begin the presentation). I watched my video afterward and will see the tempo was not good.

However I felt OK as a result of I did my finest and I realized quite a bit from the competitors. If I’ve the prospect to compete once more at worlds, I positively can do higher.

Talking of that, you gained the 2024 U.S. Latte Artwork Championship and deferred to worlds till 2025, right? How are you feeling about competing in latte artwork?

Sure. I’ve some visa points so I can not journey internationally. However subsequent yr I can positively go. So I’ll compete on the World Latte Artwork Championship in 2025 with subsequent yr’s U.S. champion.

Proper now I really feel loads of Asian nations are actually, actually nice on the latte artwork competitors—Thailand, China, Korea, Japan. In order that’s actually difficult to me. However I really feel I can strive my finest. For the latte artwork competitors, you should not simply take into consideration the issue of your design; you additionally want to consider the foundations and maximizing your factors.

I’ve loads of day by day jobs so I can’t begin working towards now, however I’ll give myself two months for the preparation. I in all probability will begin subsequent April to do the complete two months and apply very well.

You’ve gained two U.S. competitions. Do you will have plans to participate in any others?

I feel I’ll extra deal with Roasters, as a result of I did win the qualifying competitions twice, in 2020 and 2024. However for nationals I at all times had some drama come up so I didn’t (place nicely). I nonetheless need to compete in Roasters to attempt to get higher outcomes on the nationwide stage—additionally as a result of my day by day job is extra about roasting.

I additionally need to do the Barista competitors once more. That’s the toughest one. I did it as soon as, in 2019, however I need to give myself extra time for it. I’ll do this after the latte artwork competitors subsequent yr. As a result of for the Barista competitors you positively want extra time to apply your routine. In order that’s my large undertaking for the longer term.

I’m additionally encouraging others to compete. Earlier than I competed, I didn’t see loads of Asian individuals within the U.S. competitions. I at all times inform loads of buddies who work at espresso retailers, if you happen to actually love espresso, you possibly can attempt to do the competitions. Don’t be afraid of it. Simply do it. I feel we’ll see extra rivals from this group.

I noticed in certainly one of your posts about competitors that you just mentioned “my life is espresso.” You even have a younger household, however why does espresso play such a giant position in your life?

Espresso actually helps me to get my emotional stability. Generally once I’m actually (worn down), I simply go to my little bar to pour latte artwork or some actually good espresso to calm myself down. So espresso is type of like my drugs, and it’s additionally like my sport. I don’t like enjoying video video games, however I’ll play with espresso. If I really feel bored, I’ll provide you with some undertaking attempting completely different recipes or arising with completely different experiments. That’s life for me.

Additionally, I actually get pleasure from all types of coffee-related work. I like to be the inexperienced purchaser, I really like to coach individuals, prepare the robots, the roasters. I wish to be concerned in all kinds of espresso work—I actually find it irresistible. I’ve instructed my spouse, “If I don’t have a espresso job, I’ll die of boredom.”

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