Within the ultimate 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 photograph 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 fascinated 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 displays, and in addition that this was an opportunity to extend my social abilities.
And also you’ve carried out nearly 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 carried out 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 received, 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 12 months as a result of it was solely my second time competing within the Brewers Cup. However I additionally suppose my angle helped me win this competitors—as a result of I didn’t suppose I may win, I didn’t actually really feel pressured. 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 pressured as a result of I used to be representing the U.S. and I actually wished to go to the finals. As a result of I used to be pressured, I tousled a number of stuff. Even the music—they didn’t play my music, however I didn’t discover till I had stated “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 greatest and I realized lots from the competitors. If I’ve the prospect to compete once more at worlds, I undoubtedly can do higher.
Talking of that, you received 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’t journey internationally. However subsequent 12 months I can undoubtedly go. So I’ll compete on the World Latte Artwork Championship in 2025 with subsequent 12 months’s U.S. champion.
Proper now I really feel a number of Asian international locations 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 greatest. For the latte artwork competitors, it’s worthwhile to not simply take into consideration the problem of your design; you additionally want to consider the principles and maximizing your factors.
I’ve a number of each day jobs so I can’t begin practising now, however I’ll give myself two months for the preparation. I most likely will begin subsequent April to do the total two months and observe very well.
You’ve received two U.S. competitions. Do you might have plans to participate in any others?
I believe I’ll extra give attention to 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 properly). I nonetheless need to compete in Roasters to attempt to get higher outcomes on the nationwide stage—additionally as a result of my each 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 try this after the latte artwork competitors subsequent 12 months. As a result of for the Barista competitors you undoubtedly want extra time to observe your routine. In order that’s my huge undertaking for the longer term.
I’m additionally encouraging others to compete. Earlier than I competed, I didn’t see a number of Asian folks within the U.S. competitions. I at all times inform a number of associates who work at espresso retailers, when you actually love espresso, you possibly can attempt to do the competitions. Don’t be afraid of it. Simply do it. I believe we’ll see extra rivals from this neighborhood.
I noticed in considered one of your posts about competitors that you simply stated “my life is espresso.” You even have a younger household, however why does espresso play such an enormous function in your life?
Espresso actually helps me to get my emotional stability. Typically 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 form of like my medication, and it’s additionally like my sport. I don’t like taking part in video video games, however I’ll play with espresso. If I really feel bored, I’ll provide you with some undertaking making an attempt 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 like to coach folks, prepare the robots, the roasters. I wish to be concerned in all kinds of espresso work—I actually like it. I’ve advised my spouse, “If I don’t have a espresso job, I’ll die of boredom.”
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