Hong Kong Hosts First Coffee Olympics in December 2013

In December 2013, the specialty coffee community in Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China gained a new platform for skill-sharing and sensory evaluation: the Coffee Olympics. Set against the backdrop of the Hong Kong International Bakery Expo, these contests weren’t just competitions—they were designed to raise industry standards and bring premium coffee culture to a broader audience.

The Coffee Olympics featured two distinct contests: a roasting competition and a Clever Cup brewing challenge, both judged by experienced international and local experts using strict technical and sensory criteria.

What Was the Coffee Olympics?

The Coffee Olympics was a brand-new series of contests held from December 5 to 7, 2013, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of the Hong Kong International Bakery Expo. Organized by Coffee Pro and Colour Brown Coffee, the event aimed to foster knowledge exchange among coffee professionals from Hong Kong, Macau, and China. The contests focused on improving brewing and roasting techniques while promoting specialty coffee to the general public.

Two Contests, One Stage

The Coffee Olympics comprised two separate but complementary events: the Coffee Olympics Roasting Contest and the Coffee Olympics Clever Cup Contest. Both were designed to spotlight technical excellence and sensory quality, with international and local judges providing feedback based on established standards.

The Roasting Contest

Held on December 5 (11:00–15:30), 6 (11:00–15:30), and 7 (11:00–13:00), the Roasting Contest gave 20 participants—numbered 1 through 20—30 minutes each to roast their batches. On the final day, judges conducted blind tastings from 11:00 to 13:00, with awards presented at 15:00.

The Clever Cup Contest

The brewing challenge took place across three days as well: semi-finals on December 5 and 6 (both 13:00–15:30), followed by the final on December 7 (13:00–15:00). The awards ceremony for this contest also started at 15:00.

Who Organized the Event?

The Coffee Olympics was hosted by Coffee Pro and Colour Brown Coffee. Coffee Pro is Hong Kong’s only SCAA- and SCAE-certified training lab, offering internationally recognised certification courses in coffee selection, roasting, grinding, brewing, and cupping—all led by certified instructors. Colour Brown Coffee, a long-standing café in Sai Kung since 2005, is known for its “Rare & Interesting” specialty coffee selection and freshly roasted small-batch beans. The café also has a retail outlet and has managed the Hong Kong Barista and Siphonist Championships from 2011 to 2013.

Event Schedule at a Glance

Judges and Competition Standards

The competitions featured a panel of international and local judges with extensive experience. Evaluation in both contests focused on technical execution and sensory quality, ensuring that winners demonstrated both skill and sensory finesse. Updates on the full judge lineup—including notable figures such as Korean latte art champion Kim Jinku—were to be announced.

Why This Mattered

Prior to 2013, there had been few dedicated platforms in the region for hands-on, skill-based coffee competitions that emphasized both roasting and brewing technique. The Coffee Olympics filled that gap by bringing together professionals from across the industry to refine their craft, share best practices, and push the boundaries of what specialty coffee could be in the Greater China region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Coffee Olympics?

The Coffee Olympics was a new specialty coffee competition held in Hong Kong from December 5 to 7, 2013, featuring a roasting contest and a Clever Cup brewing challenge. It aimed to improve industry skills and promote specialty coffee culture.

Where did the Coffee Olympics take place?

The event was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of the Hong Kong International Bakery Expo.

How many contestants competed in the roasting contest?

Twenty contestants, numbered 1 through 20, each had 30 minutes to roast during the competition held on December 5 and 6.

What was the Clever Cup Contest?

The Clever Cup Contest was a brewing competition where participants used Clever drippers to prepare coffee. It included semi-finals on December 5 and 6 and a final on December 7.

Who organized the Coffee Olympics?

The Coffee Olympics was organized by Coffee Pro, a SCAA- and SCAE-certified training lab, and Colour Brown Coffee, a specialty café and roastery based in Sai Kung.

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