In 2000, the World Barista Championship was born. By the end of the WBC in Dublin, they will have crowned seventeenth World Barista Champion. The history of the WBC has seen many evolutions in order to celebrate the continuing innovation in specialty coffee. This year, the competition has evolved to include a new reason to cheer, by introducing the first ever WBC TEAMS.
Why teams?
In specialty coffee, teams exist everywhere—producers, green buyers, roasters, etc. Behind every competition barista, there is a team of individuals who contributes to their success. In the spirit of acknowledging the global coffee community, we thought we’d also incorporate a different kind of team—and a different way to win.
How were the teams selected?
The teams were selected so that each is equally weighted, based on historical competition rankings.
What changes for the competitor?
Nothing! The competitors will still perform their 15-minute routine, as they have prepared it. Each competitor is still vying for the ultimate title of World Barista Champion. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is that there will also be a winning team—so each competitor has a second way to win!
What’s the prize?
An all-expense paid trip to the Cafe Show in Seoul, Korea in November, 2016! Seoul also happens to be the site for the 2017 World Barista Championship!
How can I participate?
Cheer on your favorite team! Go meet them at the Team Bar during their shift! Share any ideas you have for the WBC evolution at info@worldcoffeeevents.org!
What are the teams?
TEAM KNOCKBOX
Australia   Mexico
Puerto Rico Switzerland
Taiwan      Zambia
TEAM BLEND
Austria       Costa Rica
Finland       Hong Kong
Romania    Slovakia
TEAM BREW
Ireland     Lithuania
Malaysia   New Zealand
Iran       Ukraine
TEAM ESPRESSO
Belgium   Brazil
Denmark   Ecuador
Japan      Spain
TEAM EXTRACT
Greece    Kenya
Russia      South Africa
South Korea  Turkey
TEAM PORTAFILTER
Belarus      Colombia
Iceland       Philippines
Poland      USA
TEAM PRESSURE
China      Germany
Guatemala  India
Italy       Serbia
TEAM SCALE
Nicaragua  Vietnam
Czech Republic Hungary
Netherlands Canada
TEAM STEAM
El Salvador  Honduras
Latvia       Norway
Singapore    Thailand
TEAM TAMPER
France      Indonesia
Portugal      Sweden
UAE Â Â Â Â Â Â United Kingdom
