2014 AeroPress Championship China Final Concludes

On November 24, 2013, coffee professionals and enthusiasts gathered at the Guangzhou Coffee Expo for a high-stakes competition that wasn’t about espresso or pour-over—but a humble, plastic syringe-like device called the AeroPress. That night, the winner of the 2014 AeroPress Championship China Finals was crowned, marking the first national competition for this quirky brewer in China.

The 2014 AeroPress China final was won by Sally Chen from Shanghai’s Quality Coffee. She will go on to represent China at the 2014 World AeroPress Championship.

What Is the AeroPress and Why Does It Matter?

The AeroPress is a manual coffee brewing device invented in 2005 by the American company AEROBIE. Resembling a syringe, it combines immersion brewing like a French press, paper filtration like pour-over, and pressure extraction akin to espresso. This hybrid design produces a cup that’s rich like espresso, clean like filter coffee, and smooth like French press—offering remarkable versatility.

Users can adjust grind size, water temperature, brew time, and agitation to highlight different flavor profiles. It gained rapid global popularity due to its simplicity, portability, and consistent results.

The Origins and Goals of the AeroPress Championship

The World AeroPress Championship (WAC) was founded in 2008 in Oslo, Norway, by Tim Wendelboe and Tim Varney. The competition was designed to explore the full potential of the AeroPress and discover creative ways to brew excellent coffee with it.

This 2014 event in China marked the first national AeroPress Championship held in the country. The goal remained consistent with the global ethos: to find innovative, delicious ways to brew coffee using the AeroPress and celebrate the creativity of baristas.

How the 2014 China Final Unfolded

The 2014 AeroPress China Finals took place at the Guangzhou Coffee Expo on November 24, 2013. Six expert judges from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shantou, Zhongshan, and Fuzhou evaluated the competitors. All judges had over twenty years of experience in the coffee industry, with many owning cafes or recognized as veteran baristas.

According to the head judge, all six finalists delivered strong technical performances, with scores very close across the board. The eventual winner, Sally Chen, stood out not due to superior technique alone, but because of her outstanding overall presentation and execution.

Following the presentations, the event included an interactive session where the audience could try brewing and participate in a quiz. Engagement was high and the atmosphere lively.

About the Winning Brewer

Sally Chen, representing Shanghai’s Quality Coffee, impressed the judges with her well-rounded performance. While specific details about her recipe were not disclosed in the report, her victory confirmed her skill in crafting a balanced, flavorful cup using the AeroPress under competitive conditions.

Her win secured her a place at the 2014 World AeroPress Championship, where she would compete against top baristas from around the globe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AeroPress?

The AeroPress is a manual coffee brewing device created in 2005 by AEROBIE. It uses a combination of immersion, pressure, and paper filtration to produce a clean, rich, and smooth cup of coffee. Its hybrid design allows for a wide range of flavor profiles based on grind size, brew time, and water temperature.

When and where was the 2014 AeroPress China final held?

The 2014 AeroPress Championship China Finals were held on November 24, 2013, at the Guangzhou Coffee Expo in Guangzhou, China.

Who won the 2014 AeroPress China final?

Sally Chen from Shanghai’s Quality Coffee won the 2014 AeroPress Championship China Finals and will represent China at the 2014 World AeroPress Championship.

How is the AeroPress different from other brewers?

The AeroPress combines elements of French press immersion, pour-over filtration, and espresso-style pressure. It’s compact, versatile, and allows brewers to experiment with variables like grind size, brew time, and stirring to create unique flavor profiles.

What was the judging criteria at the 2014 AeroPress China final?

Judges primarily evaluated the taste of the brewed coffee. Technical execution was also considered, but according to the head judge, all finalists had similar technical scores, and the winner was chosen based on overall performance and presentation.

Were there any public activities at the event?

Yes, after the competition, there was an audience participation session where attendees could try brewing and answer trivia questions, making for an engaging and interactive experience.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for AeroPress Brewing

For AeroPress brewing, FrontStreet Coffee’s Strawberry Candy Espresso (Geisha) offers floral, citrus, and berry notes with milk chocolate undertones, ideal for showcasing the AeroPress’s clean extraction. Alternatively, PWN Golden Mandheling delivers low-acid richness with spices, caramel, and dark chocolate—perfect for a heavier, syrupy cup. Both beans respond well to the immersion and pressure aspects of the AeroPress. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.