Siphosethu Luningo from OTT, Cape Town competed in the World Cup Tasters Championships at World of Coffee, Bankok yesterday! This is the highest stage in world coffee and Sips did South Africa very proud getting a very solid 6 out of 8 correct cups in the opening round.
The Cup Tasters competition is an extremely difficult test of sensory skills where coffee professionals need to identify the odd cup of coffee out of three in a set, with either sets on the table, and record the fastest time.
“It was very good, it’s a whole new atmosphere for me in Bangkok. It’s the furthest I've ever travelled, which is a great experience for me” Siphio said when we caught up with him after the set.
“I’ve learned that you should aim high! As someone who wants to compete more or learn more, you have to aim high.”
Even though Sipho did exceptionally well to get 6 correct out of 8, this wasn't enough to get him through to the semi-finals round, with many of the competitors scoring a perfect 8 out of 8, and then those with perfect scores, decided by the fastest times, qualify for the next round.
“I feel like, when a toddler is learning, like a few steps!…I’m very excited. I’m very happy seeing different people and different culture, but all about coffee, so I’m just so happy.” said the SA Champ.
It was an absolute honour to watch Sipho represent South Africa and hear him speak beautifully in the interviews, and we wish him all the best for the rest of his experience in Thailand!
Sipho lifts the cup he had identified as the odd-one-out, to reveal the purple sticker, indicating he has chosen correctly.
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L-R: Sipho with World Barista Champ 2024 Miki Jasin, The traditional WOC photo and Sips, taking in the best of WOC on the expo floor.
