Earlier this yr, the Chinese language espresso competitor received the 2025 World Brewers Cup Championship. As we speak, he tells the story of his competitors journey. 

BY CHRIS RYAN
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE

Images courtesy of Captain George Espresso Roasters

George Jinyang Peng grew to become excited by espresso as an fanatic whereas in highschool. Just a few years later, whereas nonetheless in school, he opened his first espresso store.  

Espresso has remained a ardour for George ever since. He at the moment operates Captain George Espresso Roasters in Guiyang, China, and has been a constant espresso competitor within the Brewers Cup occasion. He received China’s competitors in 2023 and made it to the World Brewers Cup Championship, the place he positioned fifth.  

This yr, George received the nationwide occasion once more, and returned to the worldwide stage. For the 2025 occasion in Jakarta, Indonesia, he took management, arriving in Jakarta early to commit himself to making ready for the occasion.  

The work paid off: George positioned 5 spots forward of Indonesia’s Bayu Prawiro to win the 2025 World Brewers Cup, turning into the second competitor from China to attain the honour following Du Jianing’s 2019 title.  

We talked to George about his preparation, his competitors theme, and far more.  

Barista Journal On-line: Are you able to describe the way you began working in espresso? Why did it curiosity you?

I truly began as a espresso fanatic. I started brewing espresso at residence after I was nonetheless in highschool, and that pastime step by step was a ardour. It will definitely led me to grow to be a barista. Later, whereas I used to be in school, I opened my first espresso store. Operating the store uncovered me to all kinds of coffees, and I grew to become more and more fascinated by the language used to explain their flavors. In the future, whereas brewing at residence, I all of a sudden tasted floral and fruity notes within the cup, which was one thing I hadn’t skilled earlier than. That second fully drew me into the sensory world of espresso. 

If you began in espresso competitions, why did you select Brewers Cup?  

As a roaster, I’ve all the time been notably captivated with extraction. To start with, although, I solely knew easy methods to cup coffees, so every time clients got here to speak about espresso, I might default to cupping as the start line. That made me understand I wanted to really perceive brewing. Brewing is filled with variables and nuances; at first, it felt imprecise and onerous to understand. However that complexity intrigued me. I began digging deeper into brewing principle, decided to show uncertainty into readability. 

I learn that temperature was a primary theme in your routine this yr. Why was that subject essential to you, and the way did you discover it in your efficiency? 

I see temperature as a governing pressure in so many points of espresso, from the caramelization and Maillard reactions throughout roasting, to how folks understand sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and even saltiness at completely different beverage temperatures. I wished to make use of temperature as a central theme to assist folks admire simply how influential it’s in shaping their espresso expertise. 

On the similar time, I feel temperature additionally represents connection. It’s a part of the heat we share between barista and buyer. In my presentation, I explored temperature management all through the complete journey, from inexperienced bean storage to roasting and brewing, together with each environmental and beverage temperatures. By managing every stage exactly, I aimed to display to the viewers how important temperature is in crafting the ultimate cup. 

Are you able to describe the way you ready for the competitors this yr, going to Jakarta early and renting an area to apply? What did you do there, and the way did it provide help to within the competitors? 

I arrived in Jakarta fairly early earlier than the competitors. It was a metropolis I had by no means actually explored earlier than, and through my time there, I stored my focus fully on preparation. I barely left the residence or the coaching area. I solely went to the competitors venue and briefly visited the town heart after every thing was over. 

That sort of centered isolation was a primary for me. It grew to become a deeply immersive expertise, permitting me to pour all my power into refining the small print. I labored on designing the roasting profile and extraction protocol particular to Jakarta’s circumstances, like altitude and humidity. I consider this localized strategy helped optimize my efficiency on stage. It wasn’t nearly adapting, it was about honoring the atmosphere I used to be in. 

I learn that you simply used a Gesha from Panama’s Mount Totumas within the competitors. Why did you select that espresso, and the way a lot of an element do you suppose it performed in you successful—particularly in such an in depth competitors the place the second-place finisher was solely 9 factors behind you?

My private aim was to discover a espresso that actually expressed its terroir. Throughout cupping, the Mount Totumas Gesha stood out with its extremely vivid purple floral and purple grape notes, one thing I hardly ever expertise in naturally processed, additive-free coffees. I knew I wished to share that have with the judges. 

That mentioned, I don’t measure a espresso’s contribution purely by the rating. For me, the competitors was a chance to showcase what I consider an distinctive origin espresso might be in 2025. By the point we reached the highest six, everybody had wonderful coffees. My alternative was extra about expressing my very own sensory aesthetic, quite than attempting to win by the espresso alone. 

And eventually, how did you get the nickname Captain George?  

I’ve all the time been a fan of Chinese language martial arts novels and American superhero films, so I feel I naturally gravitate towards heroic tales and characters. My English identify is George, and mixing it with that heroic spirit, I gave myself the nickname “Captain George.” It’s a little bit little bit of enjoyable, but additionally a strategy to categorical the beliefs I like. 

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