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Boram Um is the best barista in the world this year from Brazil. Boram is 32 years old, it was his third world championship, but he reached the final for the first time. The central theme of his speeches for a long time has been the thesis of product appreciation and teamwork. He calls the producer, roaster, barista and consumer a team that can create something unique together.
The Um family has a farm in the Minas Gerais region and grows specialty and premium coffee.
For his final performance, he used a Panamanian Geisha grown on a friend's farm for his espresso. He created a blend of Panamanian Geisha and Rosé Bourbon from his farm for a cappuccino.
1. Please tell us about your family, how you decided to start coffee farming, and how long your farm has existed.
So our family is a very non-traditional coffee grower. In Brazil, many families have been in coffee for at least three generations. For us, we began because my father wanted to retire in agriculture. He bought a coffee farm in the South of Minas in 2009. This farm was abandoned farm for over ten years. So many renovations had to be done, but the farm had a lot of impressive history. So our first production was in 2012, and we have been investing heavily in quality from the beginning. The farm has existed for over 50 years, but we have been working with coffee since 2009.
2. What varieties of Arabica do you grow, and what processing methods do you use on your farm? Do you often experiment with anaerobic processing methods? Do you grow Conilon?
Today we produce over 45 different varieties due to our interest in finding different varieties and focusing on what can improve quality. Many varieties are in their testing phase, and potentially, we can expand production with good results. We do mainly natural and pulped naturals and many fermentation processes. Anaerobics, aerobics also are fermentation processes that we do commonly. We do not have Conilon.
3. At what stage did you realize that you don't just want to work as a barista but want to participate in competitions?
I decided to compete mainly because I thought it would be a great learning experience. The competition process brings much new knowledge and innovation, which can significantly improve our careers. So that really motivated me to compete.
4. Brazil has long been the leader in coffee cultivation in the world, and how do you think your victory will bring about any changes in the coffee industry in your country?
Yes, absolutely. I competed to show I could bring Brazilian coffee to the top of the world. And bring so much acknowledgement to our coffee professionals. Hopefully, many people can be more interested in Brazilian coffee now and Brazilian professionals. Also, I think showing the local market that specialty coffee culture is amazing and special. Also, it showcases this amazing market to our population, and knowing Brazil is one of the biggest coffee consumers in the world, I believe there is alot of potential.
5. Generally, mass consumers perceive Brazilian coffee more positively than coffee experts. It has formed an image of inexpensive and not very bright coffee to taste. Is it really so?
I believe Brazil can be a one-stop shop for everything. Brazil is so big and has so many different producing regions. We can do everything from high- volume good-priced coffees to super exotic coffees with a lot of complexity. Brazil mainly sells high volumes of blends, but it has always been the backbone of our coffee industry. That is why I hope with this championship we can bring a new perception to our coffees and bring more opportunity for high-end coffees as well.
6. Which Brazilian farmers' products would you recommend for specialty coffee lovers?
I definitely recommend Daterra and Rio Brilhante. They both work completely focused on quality and genetics. Farms that are a true inspiration to many producers.
7. After winning the championship, have you personally changed in any way, or did you see yourself as a winner a few months ago?
I never expected to win. I thought getting to finals would be a great result already. It is definitely overwhelming in many senses to be world champion, but there is alot of responsibility with this role. I hope that I can bring a lot of positive change to our industry and Brazil.
8. What are you planning to do in the near future? Which countries are you going to visit, and will it be possible to taste your coffee somewhere in Europe?
I will be visiting many countries and expos in the next few months! And I am very excited about this schedule. I will be visiting a lot of Asia and Europe, like Japan, Hong Kong and Italy (Milan).
Yes, we have a client in Norway called Southern Coffee with our coffees available.
9. Do you know anything about coffee culture in Ukraine?
Yes! There are so many talented and incredible baristas in Ukraine. I definitely do think Ukraine enjoys many processed coffees like anaerobic fermentations. A lot of fruity and winey coffees that I have tried from Ukrainian baristas! Very advanced market with high needs! Truly inspiring professionals.
We are very grateful to Mr Um for this conversation and once again congratulate him on his victory and wish him the fulfilment of all his most ambitious plans!
The Um family has a farm in the Minas Gerais region and grows specialty and premium coffee.
For his final performance, he used a Panamanian Geisha grown on a friend's farm for his espresso. He created a blend of Panamanian Geisha and Rosé Bourbon from his farm for a cappuccino.
1. Please tell us about your family, how you decided to start coffee farming, and how long your farm has existed.
So our family is a very non-traditional coffee grower. In Brazil, many families have been in coffee for at least three generations. For us, we began because my father wanted to retire in agriculture. He bought a coffee farm in the South of Minas in 2009. This farm was abandoned farm for over ten years. So many renovations had to be done, but the farm had a lot of impressive history. So our first production was in 2012, and we have been investing heavily in quality from the beginning. The farm has existed for over 50 years, but we have been working with coffee since 2009.
2. What varieties of Arabica do you grow, and what processing methods do you use on your farm? Do you often experiment with anaerobic processing methods? Do you grow Conilon?
Today we produce over 45 different varieties due to our interest in finding different varieties and focusing on what can improve quality. Many varieties are in their testing phase, and potentially, we can expand production with good results. We do mainly natural and pulped naturals and many fermentation processes. Anaerobics, aerobics also are fermentation processes that we do commonly. We do not have Conilon.
3. At what stage did you realize that you don't just want to work as a barista but want to participate in competitions?
I decided to compete mainly because I thought it would be a great learning experience. The competition process brings much new knowledge and innovation, which can significantly improve our careers. So that really motivated me to compete.
4. Brazil has long been the leader in coffee cultivation in the world, and how do you think your victory will bring about any changes in the coffee industry in your country?
Yes, absolutely. I competed to show I could bring Brazilian coffee to the top of the world. And bring so much acknowledgement to our coffee professionals. Hopefully, many people can be more interested in Brazilian coffee now and Brazilian professionals. Also, I think showing the local market that specialty coffee culture is amazing and special. Also, it showcases this amazing market to our population, and knowing Brazil is one of the biggest coffee consumers in the world, I believe there is alot of potential.
5. Generally, mass consumers perceive Brazilian coffee more positively than coffee experts. It has formed an image of inexpensive and not very bright coffee to taste. Is it really so?
I believe Brazil can be a one-stop shop for everything. Brazil is so big and has so many different producing regions. We can do everything from high- volume good-priced coffees to super exotic coffees with a lot of complexity. Brazil mainly sells high volumes of blends, but it has always been the backbone of our coffee industry. That is why I hope with this championship we can bring a new perception to our coffees and bring more opportunity for high-end coffees as well.
6. Which Brazilian farmers' products would you recommend for specialty coffee lovers?
I definitely recommend Daterra and Rio Brilhante. They both work completely focused on quality and genetics. Farms that are a true inspiration to many producers.
7. After winning the championship, have you personally changed in any way, or did you see yourself as a winner a few months ago?
I never expected to win. I thought getting to finals would be a great result already. It is definitely overwhelming in many senses to be world champion, but there is alot of responsibility with this role. I hope that I can bring a lot of positive change to our industry and Brazil.
8. What are you planning to do in the near future? Which countries are you going to visit, and will it be possible to taste your coffee somewhere in Europe?
I will be visiting many countries and expos in the next few months! And I am very excited about this schedule. I will be visiting a lot of Asia and Europe, like Japan, Hong Kong and Italy (Milan).
Yes, we have a client in Norway called Southern Coffee with our coffees available.
9. Do you know anything about coffee culture in Ukraine?
Yes! There are so many talented and incredible baristas in Ukraine. I definitely do think Ukraine enjoys many processed coffees like anaerobic fermentations. A lot of fruity and winey coffees that I have tried from Ukrainian baristas! Very advanced market with high needs! Truly inspiring professionals.
We are very grateful to Mr Um for this conversation and once again congratulate him on his victory and wish him the fulfilment of all his most ambitious plans!
