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It was just like undoubtedly faced numerous inquiries about his com- is also crucial in competitions.’ For contestants, rankings
Having won the championship title, Liu Taiyang has
matter, but they’re not everything. They represent an ac-
petition experiences. Beyond the meticulously devised
knowledgment of the hard work you’ve put in. Moreover,
roasting strategies, the competition arena serves as a
testing ground that challenges a contestant’s mindset and besides strength, self-confidence and a bit of luck can
sometimes be pivotal. Preparing also involves learning
adaptability. Recalling the tense moments, Liu Taiyang’s how to quickly adjust one’s mindset to cope with unex-
when I won immense pressure. When roasting a single-origin coffee, mate themselves.
heart still races: “During the competition, I was under
pected situations that may arise during the competition.
People who are truly capable should not underesti-
I narrowly made the 30-minute cutoff (with deductions
for every 15 seconds of overtime, and disqualification
for exceeding 1 minute). Immediately afterwards, the
need for blend roasting forced me to quickly regroup and Moving Forward for Better Progress
the national Moreover, the local volunteers and staff offered us in- Taiyang has been busy overseeing the construction and
refocus, and everything flowed smoothly from then on.
Following his victory in the championship, Liu
operations of the new factory and preparing for the Sep-
valuable support. Thank you to them.”
tember opening of a new store in Shanghai, while also
Despite the excitement during the competition, Liu
Taiyang remained calm upon the announcement of his
execution in the coffee industry is truly impressive. Nat-
victory: “It’s quite strange. I had a feeling. It was just like developing new courses for the industry. His impeccable
when I won the national championship in 2021, this mo- urally, we are eager to hear his advice for aspiring profes-
championship competing abroad for the first time not be unparalleled? of question, many coffee professionals would often re-
sionals looking to join the coffee industry.
ment felt like déjà vu, leaving me surprisingly serene.”
But looking back, how could the experience of
In previous interviews, when asked about this kind
Liu Taiyang prepared for the competition alongside Diao
spond with a hint of humor, “Run away! Don’t come!”
Chenglei, who also came from mainland China and was
turn. Indeed, if one is merely playing the role of a barista
the fourth-place winner of the 2024 World Coffee Roast- However, for Liu Taiyang, his response takes a different
in 2021, this mo- eating hamburgers for seven consecutive days, and in- be fiercely competitive with limited room for advance-
ing Championship. Beyond getting lost in Copenhagen,
or a roaster on the assembly line, the coffee industry can
dulging in their favorite coffee shops, the two supported
ment. A more comprehensive career planning can em-
and learned from each other, sharing their ideas without
power newcomers to make more informed decisions and
reservation. These moments have etched indelible mem-
ories into their lives. Liu Taiyang’s social media timeline explore alternative paths.
On the contrary, the coffee industry cannot afford
is filled with a lengthy list of gratitude, encompassing to suffer from a lack of successors. There exists a group
ment felt like on, and the team members from their coffee shops. This industry, paving the way for future generations with
of individuals who continue to shine brightly within this
mentors, the newly crowned domestic roasting champi-
formidable group has collectively presented a significant
their unwavering passion and dedication to coffee, ensur-
ing their smoother progress. As one of them, Liu Taiyang
piece of the Chinese coffee roasting puzzle to the public.
For coffee professionals who are about to participate
his peers, persevering in his efforts, for perseverance,
in or preparing for competitions, Liu Taiyang shares his also aspires to maintain his original aspirations alongside
déjà vu, leav-
after all, may very well lead to victory!
experience: ‘Sometimes, in addition to strength, mindset

ing me surpris-

ingly serene. 47

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