At the 2024 World Barista Championship held in Busan, South Korea, barista Takayuki Ishitani, representing Japan, took third place.

Congratulations to Barista Ishitani!

From the preliminary round to the final, Ishitani consistently demonstrated a high level of performance. His coffee selection, which produced unique flavors, his meticulously calculated extraction method, and his story-telling presentation captivated the audience and the judges.

The final competition featured an impressive espresso made from a blend of Panamanian Geisha and Colombian Caturra. Its vibrant flavor, reminiscent of pineapple, orange, and guava, earned it high praise from the judges. The following milk beverage featured a blend of rice milk and lactose-free milk, resulting in a sweet and smooth flavor reminiscent of yellow peach, mango, and caramel.

The signature drink was inspired by the iconic Italian cocktail, the Negroni, and showcased Ishitani's creativity with a botanical infusion that resembled gin, a fruity fermented liquid that mimicked Campari, and coffee and vanilla sous vide instead of vermouth.

The standings for the 2024 World Barista Championship are as follows:

1. Mikael Jasin, Indonesia
2. Jack Simpson, Australia
3. Takayuki Ishitani, Japan
4. Honoka Kawashima, Aotearoa / New Zealand
5. Junghwan Lim, South Korea
6. lan Kissick, Ireland
7. Zjevaun Lemar Janga, The Netherlands

The success of barista Ishitani, who competes on the world stage as a representative of Japan, is a source of great pride and inspiration for the Japanese coffee industry. I hope that he will use the experience of this competition as a springboard to continue striving for even greater heights.

You can watch Barista Ishitani's presentation on the official competition channel on YouTube. Be sure to check it out for yourself.

We also plan to interview Barista Ishitani after he returns to Japan.

We asked him about his current state of mind after the world championships and his outlook for the future. The words of a top barista active at the forefront of the coffee industry are sure to be highly thought-provoking.

Please look forward to it!