The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : The art of whipping up the perfect cuppa

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Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008
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The art of whipping up the perfect cuppa

Staff Reporter

Over 40 baristas are taking part in the Indian Barista Championship

The winner of the event will represent India at the World Barista Championship
The first runner-up will represent the country at the Asian Barista Championship

Bangalore: There is an art to preparing a cup of coffee. And if you do not believe us, visit the Indian Barista Championship (IBC) at RMZ Infinity on Old Madras Road, where over 40 baristas are putting their skills to test in a bid to enter the World Barista Championship.

The four-day championship which started on Tuesday will have contestants frenetically whipping up cappuccino, espresso and also some of their signature coffee brews.

A jury of experts will judge the skills of baristas, watching over them as they prepare their cuppa. Points will be given on the basis of cleanliness, waste management, coffee extraction time, communication and presentation skills. But eventually it will all boil down to the taste.

“I am a coffee addict and I enjoy experimenting with the beverage,” said 26-year-old Aparupa Roy, a barista trainer with a leading café chain in New Delhi. She has come prepared with her innovative coffee preparation called “Figure it out” which she will present under the “Signature coffee beverage” category.

Chairman of Speciality Coffee Association of India (SCAI) Ashok Kuriyan told The Hindu that the winner of the event would represent India at the World Barista Championship in Copenhagen in June.

The first runner-up will represent the country in the Asian Barista Championship in Singapore in April.

Chairman of IBC Peter Mathias said 20 baristas would be selected for the second round, of which 12 would move to the semi-finals. Finally, six persons will compete for the championship. The finals will be held on Friday.

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