Guatemala has won bragging rights to being home to the best barista in the world after a grueling four-day competition which pit 54 champion java makers against each other.
Raul Rodas came out on top of the World Barista Championship in Vienna Friday, besting his closest rivals Fabrizio Sensión Ramírez of Mexico who placed second, and Colin Harmon from Ireland who came out in third spot.
Like an action-packed sporting event, the livestreamed broadcast featured running commentary as competitors pressed, steamed and pulled a total of 12 drinks including espressos, cappuccinos and a signature drink.
Here are the winners:
World Barista Championship
1. Raul Rodas - Guatemala
2. Fabrizio Sensión Ramírez - Mexico
3. Colin Harmon - Ireland
4. Miki Suzuki - Japan
5. Stefanos Domatiotos - Greece
World Brewers Cup highlights the craft of filter coffee brewing by hand
1. Matt Perger - Australia
2. Andy Sprenger - US
3. Christos Loukakis - Greece
World Cup Tasters awards professional cuppers who demonstrate speed, skill and accuracy in distinguishing the taste differences in specialty coffees.
1. Cory Andreen - Germany
2. Tassos Moschopoulous - Greece
3. Kim Ossenblok - Spain
Watch the live stream broadcast of the final round with Rodas at http://new.livestream.com/worldcoffee/WBC2012finals. Rodas appears at 1:40.
