Exciting news is brewing on my Discord server! It appears that the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) has given the green light for the use of an automatic machine in the upcoming latte art competitions. This change is set to take effect over the next four years at the prestigious World Coffee Championships (WCC).
The news has been met with a wave of disappointment among the coffee connoisseur and professional community. Numerous esteemed baristas have voiced their discontent, with a handful even declaring their decision to abstain from participating in upcoming editions of the WCC competitions.
Unraveling the Mystery: What Exactly is SCA?
Established in 1982, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) plays a pivotal role in the global coffee industry. It unites an international community of coffee enthusiasts, from producers and baristas to everyday consumers. The SCA sets the bar high for specialty coffee, defining quality standards and implementing rigorous criteria for its classification.
Not only does the SCA provide enriching educational programs and esteemed certifications for coffee aficionados, but it also spearheads innovative research. This research is aimed at enhancing both the quality and sustainability of the coffee industry, demonstrating the SCA’s commitment to fostering growth and improvement in the field.
With a knack for organizing esteemed events and competitions, this entity holds a significant position in promoting ethical and sustainable business practices. Its influence is undeniably central in the vibrant world of specialty coffee.
What About the World Coffee Championships?
The World Coffee Championships (WCC) is a series of prestigious international competitions celebrating excellence and the art of coffee making. These competitions bring together the world’s finest baristas and coffee professionals. Here are some of the main events that make up these championships:(click to scroll down).
- World Barista Championship (WBC ): This is probably the best-known event. Baristas showcase their skills in preparing espresso, cappuccino and original coffee drinks. They are judged on their technique, the flavor of their drinks, and their overall presentation.
- World Brewers Cup: This competition focuses on filter coffee. Participants must prepare and serve three filter coffee beverages, using a method of their choice, to highlight the quality and unique characteristics of their coffee.
- World Latte Art Championship: Here, the emphasis is on the artistic. Competitors create intricate, eye-catching designs with frothed milk over espresso. Creativity, precision and aesthetics are key elements of this competition.
- World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship: This competition fuses coffee and spirits, where participants have to prepare innovative, tasty drinks combining coffee and spirits.
- World Cup Tasters Championship: In this competition, the focus is on the sense of taste. Participants must identify the differences between various coffee samples, demonstrating their ability to discern and recognize different origins, varieties and roasting profiles.
- World Coffee Roasting Championship: Here, the art of roasting takes center stage. Participants are judged on their ability to roast coffee beans and develop ideal flavor profiles.
These championships are more than just a stage for coffee professionals to flaunt their expertise. They are a vibrant hub for innovation, education, and the worldwide appreciation of coffee. Drawing the attention of not just coffee aficionados, but also industry insiders and the everyday coffee drinker, these events play a pivotal role in shaping and evolving the global coffee culture.
Why Opt for an Automatic Machine in a Latte Art Competition?
Exciting news from the Specialty Coffee Association! The Thermoplan Black&White4 CTS has made history as the first fully automatic espresso machine to earn a spot in the World Latte Art Championships, set to take place from 2024 to 2027. This significant achievement signifies a shift in equipment standards for the prestigious World Coffee Championships (WCC), a competition proudly backed by sponsors such as Thermoplan.
The success of the WCC Championships is a testament to the collective efforts of numerous organizations and individuals, including our esteemed sponsors who furnish the top-notch equipment used by competitors. These sponsors, having successfully undergone a stringent testing program, ensure the provision of high-quality equipment for the competitions. Yannis Apostolopoulos, the dynamic CEO of SCA, and Sven Schilliger from Thermoplan, share their excitement about this groundbreaking development and the prospective use of this machine in future competitions, including the much-anticipated Latte Art World Championship 2024 in the vibrant city of Copenhagen.
What’s the Buzz in the Community?
The news about the introduction of an automatic machine in WCC competitions has been met with a wave of disapproval from the community. Many view this as a threat to the years of hard work and training they’ve put in, which they fear might be overshadowed by automation. Those passionate about espresso understand that each step of the preparation process demands careful attention. After all, espresso is unforgiving and leaves no room for errors.
Should a machine take over tasks that require years of honed manual skills, it might potentially lessen the thrill and competitive spirit that comes with mastering such skills.
In response to the recent modifications, a number of competitors have announced their decision to step back from the upcoming latte art competition.
As expected, this announcement sparked a wave of creativity on the internet, giving birth to a plethora of hilarious memes. Here are a few amusing examples for your enjoyment:
Wrapping It Up
It’s completely understandable to question the decision made by the esteemed Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) to incorporate an automatic machine into their latte art competitions. This is a significant change and it’s natural to be curious about it.
The art of this discipline typically demands absolute proficiency in espresso preparation. This involves everything from emulsifying the milk to achieve the perfect bubble size, to the finesse needed for creating beautiful latte art. The idea of substituting these artisanal skills with automation certainly sparks some intriguing discussions.
Without a doubt, the Thermoplan Black&White4 CTS is a remarkable automatic machine that can brew a superb cup of coffee. However, when it comes to a latte art competition, it might not be the best fit.
What are your thoughts on this?
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