French Press Coffee Roasters Crowned Espresso World Champions in Guatemala

French Press Coffee Roasters won the gold medal in espresso at the Golden Bean World Series in Guatemala. Their award-winning Colombian “co-ferment” coffee impressed judges with its unique flavor profile, contributing to Perkins’ 24 years of experience in the specialty coffee industry. He engages in international coffee trade, fostering relationships to improve coffee quality.

French Press Coffee Roasters, based in Parksville and Qualicum Beach, has earned the title of world champions in espresso by claiming the top prize at the Golden Bean World Series in Guatemala. Their winning coffee, a Colombian “co-ferment” with cherry as its base, impressed judges with its unique balance of flavors, including cherry, almond, tropical fruit, and a hint of chocolate.

Owner Jeremy Perkins expressed that while the medal is an honor, the recognition of a job well done by someone else is more meaningful to him. Being self-employed, he values external validation of his efforts, indicating that it reassures him about the quality of his work.

The Golden Bean World Series took place in Antigua, Guatemala, from February 17 to February 20, 2025. This prestigious competition accepts entries from individuals or establishments that have previously won gold or silver medals at regional championships such as Golden Bean Americas or Golden Bean Asia.

The winning co-ferment coffee utilizes innovative techniques where cherries are anaerobically fermented alongside the coffee beans to enhance their properties. Perkins explained that cherry powder is added to the fermentation process, which can last up to 72 hours, followed by natural drying to create the final coffee product.

Prior to receiving the award, Perkins was surprised to see “French Press Coffee Roasters – U.S.A” displayed on the screen, especially given the recent trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. He felt that it was important for Canadian representation to be recognized on such a significant stage.

Perkins has participated in numerous coffee events worldwide, including Ethiopia, Honduras, and various competitions such as the Golden Bean, where he previously won a gold medal in 2019. He noted the advancements in specialty coffee over the years, indicating that his past award-winning blends would likely not achieve the same recognition today.

In addition to his participation in competitions, Perkins has traveled internationally on trade missions, such as to Honduras, to foster relationships and discuss coffee exports to Canada. He has applied his extensive knowledge of coffee issues to help farmers improve their production processes based on his tasting experiences.

Having spent 24 years in the specialty coffee field, Perkins began his journey in the UK working with coffee shops and roasting. His experience also includes judging barista competitions in both the UK and Canada, contributing to his ongoing learning process about coffee industry evolution.

French Press Coffee Roasters has made a significant achievement in winning the Golden Bean World Series, showcasing their innovative approach to coffee through the co-ferment technique. Owner Jeremy Perkins values the recognition from judges, emphasizing the growth and learning that comes with years of experience in the specialty coffee industry. His efforts extend beyond competition as he engages in international trade dialogues to enhance the quality of coffee imports to Canada.

Original Source: www.goldstreamgazette.com