Fondly often called “Boss,” the 2025 World Cup Tasters Champion shares his ideas on turning into the primary Thai competitor to ever win a World Espresso Championship.
BY ISABELLE MANI
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Images courtesy of the Specialty Espresso Affiliation
When Chatchalerm Lertanekwattana, recognized throughout the Thai espresso neighborhood as “Boss,” was named the 2025 World Cup Tasters Champion this previous June at World of Espresso in Geneva, Switzerland, it was greater than a private triumph—he had simply develop into the primary Thai competitor ever to win a World Espresso Championship (WCC).
Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, by a Thai-Chinese language household with 4 older brothers, Chatchalerm describes himself as having been an “common” pupil at an all-boys faculty, with “rebellious and mischievous moments.” In his teenagers, he doesn’t recall being curious about any explicit occupation. “All I did in my spare time was play video video games,” he jokes.
After graduating from highschool, a brief stint working along with his household confirmed that no matter his profession path was, that wasn’t it. However in 2019, all the things modified when a good friend’s espresso competitors submit popped up on Chatchalerm’s Fb feed.
“I requested him instantly which cafés I may get a job at as a barista,” he says. From there, it didn’t take lengthy for him to comprehend that working with espresso may flip right into a profession that will let him dive deeper into his inherent love for exploring flavors and tastes.
“I’ve at all times cherished enjoying little guessing video games once I eat or drink one thing, even earlier than I acquired into espresso. I’d strive to determine the substances simply by the scent and style, and it was a whole lot of enjoyable,” Chatchalerm says. “I nonetheless get that very same thrill each time I sip a brand new espresso.”
Going Again to His Roots
We spoke to Chatchalerm twice for this story: first, after his win, and once more after a whirlwind of public appearances and the 2025 Thailand Espresso Fest. The second time, he spoke much less as “Boss” and extra as Chatchalerm, sharing the story of how his identification, household, and cultural roots formed his craft. My impression was that point again residence allowed him to metabolize issues a little bit bit extra; that, or perhaps my questions allowed him to speak about his sensory connection to his household for the primary time.
When Chatchalerm’s title was introduced in Geneva, his ideas went straight to his household. “I’m positive you are able to do this,” his mom had advised him whereas hugging him goodbye earlier than his flight to Switzerland—what he shares was the primary hug that he may bear in mind getting from her since he was a toddler, which felt like an much more vital win.
“My household doesn’t discuss a lot or share emotions overtly, however they at all times help me,” he says. “After they came upon I might symbolize the nation on the world stage, my mother messaged me, ‘Effectively completed, my baby.’ I cried.”
Chatchalerm additionally credit his mom’s cooking for catalyzing his ardour for sensory experiences. “My earliest recollections are of her meals. Her expertise is exclusive,” Chatchalerm recounts, sharing that he inherited each his mom’s adventurous nature and love for spicy flavors.
“I bear in mind one time I cried as a result of the meals was so spicy, however I stored consuming it anyway as a result of it was scrumptious,” he laughs. “I particularly cherished som tam (papaya salad) with fermented fish sauce, which had a really sturdy aroma, and spicy and intense style.”
The Sensory “Boss”
For somebody who describes himself as “not naturally good at talking,” Chatchalerm has a sure quiet confidence to him—an air of ambition. In his self-written bio for the WCC web site, he even joked, “It might be a lot appreciated if the emcee wouldn’t ask me too tough questions on stage.”
However regardless of his nerves, Chatchalerm was decided to do nicely. Because the Sensory Analysis Lead on the Central World department of Roots Espresso in Bangkok, he had been coaching for competitions for 3 years.
Set on profitable, he constructed a disciplined routine: six days every week of palate coaching, sensory drills, and psychological workout routines. “Style is the inspiration, however reminiscence and focus are what carry you thru the competitors,” he advised Barista Journal.
He additionally cites former Cup Taster champions Kyoungha “Charlie” Chu (2021), from South Korea, and Martin Wölfl (2024), from Austria, as a few of his largest inspirations.
A Have a look at Thai Specialty Espresso
Coming from a rustic the place specialty espresso has solely just lately develop into mainstream, Chatchalerm says that profitable carries what he describes as “an enormous sense of accountability.” Over the previous decade, innovation and a rising urge for food for specialty espresso have elevated each the standard and status of specialty-produced Thai espresso and the nation’s native espresso scene. In 2024 alone, the nation’s espresso market grew 8.33%, with the specialty phase increasing by round 25% yearly over the previous 5 years.
“Thailand is a tropical nation, so chilly espresso could be very fashionable right here. Everybody loves Es Yen (which means ‘iced espresso’ in Thai),” Chatchalerm says. However the Es Yen isn’t simply espresso over ice; it’s a mix of espresso, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and contemporary milk, leading to a wealthy, candy, and creamy beverage.
As for specialty espresso, preferences all through Thailand are various. Whereas conventional pure and washed processes are nonetheless broadly appreciated, there’s a rising curiosity in experimental processing strategies. “Moreover, black espresso and milk-based drinks with out added sugar are rising in popularity. There’s additionally an growing pattern towards health-conscious choices, with matcha gaining important consideration,” Chatchalerm provides.
Celebrating a Shared Id
General, Chatchalerm shares that he hopes to showcase Thailand’s specialty espresso scene as distinctive, whereas additionally connecting it to a wider Asia-Pacific identification—and he believes this shared identification may also help strengthen particular person areas.
On the current World Espresso Championships in Geneva, three out of the 4 champions had been from coffee-producing nations in Asia. Except for Chatchalerm, Chen Zhuohao from China gained in Latte Artwork, and Georgius “Odi” Audrey Teja from Indonesia took residence the title for Espresso in Good Spirits (CIGS).
“I believe the momentum is shifting towards the East,” says Mikael Jasin, the 2024 Espresso in Good Spirits Champion and coach of this yr’s CIGS winner, Odi. “And it’s been like that for some time.”
“All of us share a typical spirit of care, humility, and fervour in the best way we method espresso,” Chatchalerm provides.
In relation to the long run, Chatchalerm says he isn’t chasing one other title simply but, however as a substitute needs to deal with leveraging his win to contribute to the expansion of the business—by way of mentoring younger opponents, working sensory workshops throughout Southeast Asia, and deepening the area’s place within the international espresso dialog.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isabelle Mani (she/her) is a author, journalist, and communicator specializing within the worldwide espresso business. Since 2017, she has targeted on writing articles and options for numerous worldwide espresso information shops. Isabelle has traveled to coffee-producing nations similar to Colombia, Kenya, Rwanda, China, and Brazil to review and analysis espresso. She holds coaching certifications from the Specialty Espresso Affiliation (SCA) and the Espresso High quality Institute (Arabica Q Grading).
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