Championing baristas and fabulous blends with Starbucks SA

Starbucks South Africa is going back to basics with the launch of the annual Barista Champions.

This year’s edition will not only celebrate the brand’s brilliant baristas but also profile one of its most adventurous coffees, the Odyssey Blend.

According to Starbucks South Africa, not only do the baristas work hard to serve up the best hand-crafted beverages, but they also add their unique blend of personality, passion, brand knowledge, energy and endless enthusiasm to help make the brand experience so unique and special.

As the championship progresses through the district and national levels, Starbucks South Africa will also help raise the profiles of its contestants on social media.

Local fans can follow the progress of their favourite barista with regular updates and comments from an esteemed panel of judges; this includes Teddy, the home-grown 2019 International Barista Champion.

Special guests and members of the public will also be invited to attend taste tests and other demonstrations of artistry, knowledge and passion, live in store on demonstration days.

On Taste Test Tuesdays, each champion contestant will be invited to perform a live coffee tasting with a secret blend, this includes an evaluation, description and identification of the precise blend in store and online every week.

On Work It Wednesdays, gold Starbucks members are invited to attend a sensory masterclass evening with a showcase of their favourite coffee paired with different food options by the regions Barista’s Champion.

Throw-down Thursdays will include a live latte art showdown between the champion contenders, in-person and online for followers to vote for.

The Odyssey Blend was chosen this year for the innovative and responsible way that it is grown, offering a blend of beans from northern Peru, Rwanda (the first country to join the sustainable coffee challenge) and West Java.

Starbucks’s certified Café practices are designed to assist farmers sustainably growing their coffee crops and boost the longevity of their farms, which means we get to work with the best coffee farmers from all over the world.

The Odyssey Blend’s distinctive high quality blend paves the way for possibilities in preserving biodiversity, reducing carbon footprint and conserving water as a temple to help secure and sustain the world’s future for farmers.

To get a taste of this exciting future, visit your local Starbucks between July and August and ask a talented barista to brew your favourite beverage or join any one of the professional coffee tastings

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/?p=316080

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/286645/sustain-your-business-without-the-fuss-2/