Competition Format
The competition is a multi-round, elimination tournament.
In each round, three competitors brew coffee simultaneously.
Competitors have 5 minutes in which to prepare, brew, and present their coffee.
When the time is up, the coffees are presented in identical vessels to a panel of three judges.
The judges blindly evaluate each coffee and make their own private assessment as to which is the best.
On the count of three, all judges simultaneously point to their preferred coffee.
The winner progresses to the next round. The losers are eliminated.
Competition Rules
The brewer used must be a genuine AeroPress Classic or Clear. All three parts of a genuine AeroPress brewer must be used; the chamber, the plunger, and the classic filter cap. Aftermarket or non-genuine parts are not allowed.
No other brewer may be used in drink preparation. The only equipment permitted on stage is one or more of each of the following:
– AeroPress Classic Brewer / AeroPress Clear Brewer
– Filter
– Grinder
– Kettle
– Scale
– Stirrer / Spoon
– Sifter
– Timer
– Stand
– Empty Brew Vessel / Decanter
– Tasting Cup
Any type of filter is allowed, so long as it does not replace the filter cap itself (see rule #2). The filter can be made out of paper, metal, cloth, or any other material.
Ground coffee and water are the only ingredients allowed.
If the Hosts have specified a competition coffee, this is the only coffee that may be used.
Competitors may use a maximum of 18g of roasted coffee in their recipe.
Competitors must prepare a minimum of 150ml of brewed coffee.
Coffees not presented within the time limit of 5 minutes will not be evaluated.
Failure to comply with any of the above may result in disqualification.
JUDGING
Each round is judged blind using the cupping technique of spoon, slurp, and spit.
Competitors’ names and/or countries will be marked on the underside of the cups where they are completely hidden.
There is no scoresheet or formal judging criteria. Judges are simply answering: “Which cup would I prefer to drink all of?“
Each judge will arrive at their own conclusion, without discussing the samples with their fellow judges.
On the count of three, all judges will point simultaneously, confidently, and definitively at the cup of their choosing.
After judging, the MC will lift the winning cup, revealing the name of the round winner.
In the event of all three judges pointing at different cups, the MC or a pre-determined Head Judge will taste the coffees, and decide the round. This decision is final.
CLARIFICATIONS
Registered competitors must bring their own genuine AeroPress Classic or Clear. No AeroPress will be provided.
Competitors may use their own scales and grinders.
Competitors may bring their own water, but it will be subjected for the head judge’s approval.
In the event where a national champion is unable to travel, or unable to obtain a visa to enter the world final host country, eligibility passes to the 2nd place winner of that national competition. Similarly, if the 2nd place winner cannot attend, eligibility passes to the 3rd place winner. Eligibility does not pass any further than this, nor can it be transferred to any other person. Eligibility does not ‘roll over’ to any future seasons.
The AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap may not be used in competition in 2023.
