The World AeroPress Championships: Nanigui Patel
Caffénation barista and Belgium's AeroPress Champion, Nanigui Patel, is probably in Sydney right about now warming up for the World AeroPress Championships. You can read her interview below and follow her journey on instagram: @nanigui_
Why did you choose to enter the AeroPress Championship?
At Caffènation, it's kind of an unwritten rule you have to take part in the competition at least one time in your Caffènation coffee career. Last year, I was working at Caffènation for a week when the Belgian AeroPress Championship took place at the bar. It stressed me out at the thought of participating that quickly but, as my boss was looking for someone to run the bar, I voluntarily signed up for that.
What’s your favourite way to make coffee (other than AeroPress of course!)?
I'd say V60. It's old school, quick, and easy. I like to pour myself one on Sundays or when I start working late.
What led you to using the AeroPress?
I try to travel as much as I can, so ever since I've been into specialty coffee, I wanted to drink good coffee on my trips too. An AeroPress is most qualified to carry around easily. Plus you get a super clean cup, in less than 2 minutes.
Which grinder will you use for the competition and why?
I'll definitely go for a Mahlkönig EK43. I work with this grinder every day, although we use it for espresso most of the time. I think it's the best option for AeroPress too. It's super consistent and produces a more uniform grind.
How did you get in to the coffee industry?
I was a loyal Caffènation customer for years before I started working there as a barista. I visited the bar on a weekly basis. During my Journalism studies, I spent hours and hours studying and reading there. After my studies, I wanted to make some money to go traveling so I started working at a coffee place near my parents house where I got basic barista training. This is where I really got into specialty coffee. In Antwerp, Caffènation is known as the best coffee bar in town. If there was any place I'd liked to work in coffee, it would have been here. Eventually, I didn’t work in journalism. About a year ago, I got a job at Caffènation.
What are you most excited about in coffee?
To start with, there are countless ways to make a great cup of coffee. That's already exciting. It's a strange thing realising that all over the world, people wake up in the morning thinking: "Ahhhh, I need a cup of coffee...". It's a cliché but coffee brings people together. Meeting for a cup of coffee with friends is the daytime equivalent of having a couple of beers in a pub at night. I now work as a barista and chef, but I have no clue what I will be doing in five years. Will I be a roaster? Will I be involved with import? Will I be traveling a lot for my job? Options in the coffee industry are endless, that's what I'm most excited about.