A Battle for Brewing Supremacy: How Varacco Inc. Led Lipa's First Barako Brewer's Cup Competition
Varacco Inc., a growing coffee social enterprise based in Lipa City, led the first-ever “Barako Brewer’s Cup Contest” as part of the celebration of the 2024 Lipa City Fiesta last January 13, 2024, at Plaza Independencia. The competition was organized by Varacco Inc., Hapag, and the Flavours of Lipa.
The competition began with opening remarks from the CEO of Varacco, Mr. Aries Asilo who shared a history of coffee. According to him, coffee was started in 1740, before the Americans visited the Philippines, Lipa City had already coffee which made Lipa very well-known not only to the country but also to the world, and it once became the coffee center of the world.
Four inspiring and skillful male baristas participated in the contest; Mr. Kevin, Mr. Junrey, Mr. Ronel, and Mr. Carlos. The competition showed how skillful these baristas were in brewing the famous Kapeng Barako which originated in their home City of Lipa using the V60 pour-over espresso.
The competition had four honorable judges; Mr. Michael T. Enteria was the head judge who criticized the Overall Workflow and Technical Uniformity. Ms. Chrysantine Lacap, Dr. Francisco Balazon, and Mr. Sean Evangelista were the three sensory judges who scored for the cup components which consisted of the aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, sweetness, and mouthfeel. It also includes the scores for
attention to detail, coffee knowledge, and proper use of equipment, and presentation.
The contest was composed of three parts; the first part was the elimination round -Mr. Kevin vs. Mr. Junrey and on the other hand there was Mr. Ronel vs. Mr. Carlos. On that part, Mr. Kevin and Mr. Carlos won the elimination round.
The last round is composed of two parts which they need to brew twice using different types of coffee beans which are robusta and liberica.
The final round was conquered by Mr. Kevin, who used 3 different techniques in those rounds. His talent and
knowledge in brewing coffee take him to be the First Brewer’s Cup winner. From the beginning, Mr. Kevin said he was nervous and this was his first time joining this kind of competition, but it didn’t hinder him from becoming the brewmaster.
Not only did the judges taste the freshly brewed coffee, but two from the audience also had the chance to sip it “Matagal na ko na inom ng kape pero ngayon lang ako nakatikim ng ganito klaseng Kape” Mr. Mamay Red. “Pinakapkita lang ng mga baristang ito na sila ay talagang TUNAY NA LIPEÑO” he added.
The contest has major and minor sponsors. Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation was the major sponsor and Cailles Coffee House, Focus, and Kaperati were the minor sponsors.
Varacco is deeply grateful for their kindness and generosity that made the event possible and more meaningful.
The contest aims to encourage and promote healthy competition among baristas and provide a platform for them to showcase theirknowledge and skills in brewing the Kapeng Barako as one of the pride of Lipa City Batangas. This is also a great time to be grateful for how coffee helps Lipa City to be one of the greatest Cities we have in the Philippines.
- Jessa Carabaca