The Road to the World Barista Championships: Joo Yeon

Joo Yeon, the South Korea Barista Champion is today's World Barista Championship competitor who has answered our questions. You can follow her journey on Instagram: @jeon_jooyeon

The WBC competition will take place at the Amsterdam World of Coffee on 21st to 23rd June this year.

When did you fall in love with coffee?

I used to love a Mocha; I just liked the chocolate sweetness. However, in 2009, I got to know about specialty coffee through the American Specialty Coffee Conference, and I also felt that the coffee had a variety of flavors and then I fell in love with coffee.

What was your first coffee job?

As a part-time barista in a small café, in 2006.

If you didn’t work in coffee, what would you do?

when I was young, I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. But now I do not want to do anything other than work in coffee.

What exceptional coffee will you be using in the WBCs in Amsterdam? Tell us about the coffee and what it tastes like.

My coffee is a Gesha from Ethiopia, with genuine heirloom genetics. This coffee is produced in the same conditions and land where it grew in the wild before it was discovered. It has a lot of flavour, clarity, and balance. I taste berry, tangerine, and a chocolate finish.

Who would you most like to make coffee for and why?

I would like to introduce specialty coffee to a lot of people who do not know about specialty coffee, and make it a perfect experience. It would have to be "why you should drink this coffee" for individuals, and then they will really enjoy it. I think It can make the coffee market naturally grow and expand healthily, and then, obviously, all coffee people will be happier.

Who would play you in the story of your life?

My boss! He is always an inspiration to me, and he is my support force.

What’s your favourite way to make coffee?

I enjoy filter coffee.

What are you most excited about in coffee?