Barista champions in training...

Three of our team in Dublin took part in barista training from Espresso Sense to help them develop their coffee skills. Elisabeth, Paulina G and Paulina all threw themselves into the training from the word go and made excellent progress such that the trainers (aka the lovely barista ladies) suggested they might like to enter a national competition. Intensive training began in the art of ‘cupping’, a technique similar to wine tasting. Done with a spoon, oxygen is sucked into the mouth to open up the taste buds, and the liquid is swirled around the tongue so that an accurate assessment of the coffee can be made. 

On 25th September, the team were entered into the ‘Cupping’ competition which was held by the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe SCAE. Elisabeth, Paulina G and Paulina entered with their well tuned palates to taste 8 different sets of 3 coffees (triangular testing) and choosing the odd one out. Not as easy as it sounds but luckily nerves didn’t take hold and it was a fantastic result for all who took part as everyone was a beginner!  Other categories to enter were ‘Latte Art’ and ‘Irish Coffee in Good Spirits’ of which the winner from each of the three competitions will go on to compete at the next World Barista Championships in London June 2010. 

Jackie from Espresso Sense said, “One of the most satisfying aspects of this intensive training for us is the constant amazement from the girls when they recall how they used to make coffees compared to their technique now.  It is great to see their passion in coffee ignited.”

Well done and thank you to everyone who was involved in making this a SOHO success!