Espressotec and Strong Women of Coffee Host the BC Regional Aeropress Championship

(Newswire.net — October 5, 2019) Vancouver, BC — Canada is making a name for itself on the global coffee stage as home to world-class baristas, latte artists, coffee roasters, and mixologists. Among the many international competitions is the World Aeropress Championship (hosted this year in London, England in November), and the road to a medal for Canada begins at the regional level. That’s why Espressotec, in partnership with Vancouver-based women’s advocate Strong Women of Coffee, was so proud to host the BC Regional Aeropress Championship in their showroom (1015 Clark Drive, Vancouver) on Saturday, September 7th.

Spearheaded by award-winning coffee roaster and barista Stacey Lynden (who is one of few women at the forefront of Canada’s coffee competition scene), the Regionals provided a chance for talent in the West to shine and qualify for paid entrance and flights to the Canadian National Aeropress Championships in Toronto at the end of September. The event will challenged 27 entrants from anywhere in Western Canada to impress a panel of three judges with the Aeropress routine and recipe of their choice. And yes — there’s way more than one way to Aeropress: inverted, blooming, coarse-grind vs. fine-grind — the options are limited only by the competitor’s imagination (and, of course, the World Aeropress Competition regulations).

“The Canadian coffee scene is growing,” says Lynden, “and we want it to make it as inclusive as possible. There’s so much talent here in the West, and through sponsorship like this, we can see it represented at the events in the East (where the majority of Canada’s coffee events take place). Vancouver’s a thriving coffee city, too — it’s time we open the doors to the west coast!”

In addition to putting local Aeropress aficionados on the stage, the Regionals also showcased other brands that are pushing the local coffee industry forward. Oughtred Coffee & Tea, originally headquartered in Victoria and now also operating in Delta and the Okanagan, provided all of the coffee for the competitors to practice and compete with. Kitsilano café and catering company Olive & Ruby brought a spread of gourmet eats, and a selection of locally-produced craft beer was supplied by Agro Coffee Roasters. On top of prizes from Barista Magazine and Eight Ounce Coffee Supply, Vancouver-based startup Siply, which developed an app that curates the city’s best coffee shops and offers special deals on drinks at participating locations, donated $100 in app credits.

“There’s no shortage of talent throughout BC’s coffee scene,” says Espressotec’s general manager Rob Paton, “and by collaborating with industry leaders on events like these, we hope to give our baristas — and Canada — the spotlight they deserve.”