When I received an invitation from Garfield Kerr, the CEO of Mokha 1450 Luxury Specialty Coffee and the President of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) UAE chapter, to serve as a judge at the semi-finals of the UAE AeroPress Championships in Dubai on 7 November 2025, I was uncertain about what awaited me.
Walking into the venue, I was enveloped by a lively atmosphere filled with music from a live DJ, exuberant cheers, and a multitude of individuals from the UAE coffee community.
Initially, I thought;
“What am I doing here, and can I genuinely judge such remarkable talent?”
And thus, imposter syndrome crept in.
Admittedly, I’ve been writing about coffee for more than 18 years, met innumerable experts like James Hoffman and Maxwell Colonna Smalls, participated in numerous events, attended various coffee conferences, operated my own coffee shop for three years, tasted coffee from nearly every region globally, and acquired a SCA Sensory Skills certificate. The accomplishments are extensive.
So, spotting my top coffee friend, Naveed of The Need For Coffee, was a stroke of luck, allowing me to converse, unwind, and enjoy the vibe.
This encounter eased my nerves, and as I wandered around the venue observing other judges evaluate the prequalifying rounds, I started to regain my confidence, reassuring myself (in silence) “yes, I can handle this.”
After a couple of hours, it was my moment alongside my fellow judges; one was a lady from Brazil with over a decade of coffee experience, and the other an Emirati woman who imports Yemeni coffee.
In essence, we were instructed not to see the contestants, so we sat with our backs to them to eliminate any bias in our evaluations or influence from their methods.
Here we go…
While tasting three cups of coffee, we were directed to indicate the one we believed to be the best, and if 2 out of the 3 judges favored a cup, that barista—known to us only by a color—would be declared the winner.
On the first round, the other two judges selected a cup I did not. I thought, “Oh dear.”
However, for the remainder of the rounds, I consistently chose the winning cup.
The standout moment for me was when one of the cups distinctly tasted of…
Coconut.
Incredible!
I was eager to uncover the methodology that barista used since all coffees were the same for each contestant.
I selected that cup, and so did my other two judges – a unanimous choice.
Before I realized it, it was all over.
I hope to receive another invitation, and I’m thankful to Garfield and his team at Mokha 1450 for organizing this event.
The fantastic photos were taken by none other than Naveed.
Title: Behind the Scenes: Judging Experience at the UAE AeroPress Championship
The UAE AeroPress Championship is an energetic celebration of coffee culture, uniting baristas, coffee lovers, and industry experts from throughout the region. As a judge at this esteemed gathering, one is entrusted with the important responsibility of assessing the skills and creativity of competitors who aim to brew the ideal cup of coffee utilizing the AeroPress method. Here’s an insider’s perspective on the judging experience at this distinctive championship.
**Understanding the AeroPress Method**
The AeroPress is a flexible coffee brewing tool that has garnered a devoted following for its ability to yield a rich and flavorful cup of coffee. It encourages experimentation with factors like grind size, water temperature, and brewing duration, making it a preferred choice amongst coffee enthusiasts. The UAE AeroPress Championship showcases this creativity, encouraging participants to explore the limits of what the AeroPress can accomplish.
**The Role of a Judge**
Judging at the UAE AeroPress Championship requires a refined palate, familiarity with coffee brewing methods, and an appreciation for innovation. Judges are generally seasoned coffee professionals, including baristas, roasters, and sensory analysts, who bring their expertise to the evaluation process. Their main role is to assess each brew based on predetermined criteria, ensuring a fair and unbiased competition.
**Judging Criteria**
The judging process is thorough and incorporates several crucial criteria:
1. **Taste**: The most vital consideration, judges evaluate the flavor profile of each coffee, assessing balance, clarity, sweetness, acidity, and aftertaste, along with how well these elements harmonize in the cup.
2. **Aroma**: The coffee’s aroma is assessed for its complexity and allure, as it lays the groundwork for the tasting experience.
3. **Body**: Judges examine the texture and mouthfeel of the coffee, determining whether it is light, medium, or full-bodied.
4. **Creativity**: Innovation in technique and presentation is also recognized. Competitors frequently experiment with distinctive recipes and methods to differentiate themselves.
5. **Consistency**: The capability to replicate a high-quality brew consistently is essential. Judges seek uniformity in taste and presentation across multiple rounds.
**The Judging Process**
The contest primarily unfolds in successive rounds, with participants brewing their coffee live in front of an audience. Judges taste each entry blindly, unaware of the competitor’s identity, to maintain impartiality. The tasting process involves sampling and scoring each coffee based on the established criteria. Dialogue among judges aids in reaching a consensus on the scores, with the highest-scoring brews moving on to later rounds.
**Challenges and Rewards**
Judging the UAE AeroPress Championship is both demanding and gratifying. The wide variety of flavors and techniques presented by competitors necessitates that judges remain attentive and discerning. It is a sensory adventure, allowing judges to sample some of the most innovative and delightful AeroPress brews in the region.
Furthermore, being part of the championship cultivates a sense of community among coffee professionals. Judges have the opportunity to network, exchange knowledge, and celebrate the shared passion for coffee that bonds them.
**Conclusion**
The UAE AeroPress Championship transcends mere competition; it is a festivity of creativity, skill, and love for coffee. For judges, it presents a singular chance to engage with the coffee community, savor exceptional brews, and support the advancement of the specialty coffee scene in the UAE. As the championship continues to develop, it promises to inspire and challenge both competitors and judges alike, expanding the horizons of what can be achieved with the humble AeroPress.
