2015 Toper Cup Coffee Roasting Championship Rules & Prizes

The 2015 Toper Cup Coffee Roasting Masters wasn’t just another regional roasting contest — it was a nationwide stage for Chinese coffee professionals to prove their craft. With 12 regional divisions across the country, each roaster competed under strict rules to earn a shot at the grand prize and over ¥200,000 in gear from top brands.

In total, 12 regional divisions ran the 2015 Toper Cup, each accepting up to 12 contestants. Shanghai and Wuhan were full, but other regions remained open. Prizes included everything from precision scales and roasters to hand grinders and pour-over kits, with total awards exceeding ¥200,000.

What Was the 2015 Toper Cup?

The 2015 Toper Cup Coffee Roasting Masters was a competitive event designed for roasters to showcase their skills in coffee roasting. Organized under clear rules, the competition featured multiple regional heats leading to a national final. Each contestant worked with a specified single-origin coffee supplied by Taiwan’s A Plus: a natural-process Yirgacheffe G1.

Competition Structure: 12 Regional Divisions

The 2015 Toper Cup was held across 12 regional divisions:

• Taiwan
• Chengdu
• Hong Kong
• Wuhan (full)
• Fuzhou
• Puer
• Beijing
• Haikou
• Dalian
• Shanghai (full)
• Guangzhou

Each division could register a maximum of 12 contestants. Notably, the Shanghai and Wuhan divisions reached capacity early, and participants were advised to register in other open regions. Importantly, no contestant was allowed to compete in more than one division during the same year.

Prizes by Placement — Regional Finals

Each regional division awarded prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Key sponsors included (SuZhou Shunhefeng), (Ningbo Linkest), (Shi Guang Trading), and (Guangzhou Dazheng Trading).

1st Place Regional Prizes:

• Bonavita electronic scale (SuZhou Shunhefeng)
• JOCO 16oz coffee cup (Ningbo Linkest, excluding Hong Kong & Taiwan)
• Kalita-101 ceramic filter set (Shi Guang Trading)
• LOOKYAMI magnetic milk frother (Guangzhou Dazheng)

2nd Place Regional Prizes:

• Bonavita 1.0L gooseneck kettle (SuZhou Shunhefeng)
• JOCO 12oz coffee cup (Ningbo Linkest, excluding Hong Kong & Taiwan)
• Kalita KH-3 hand grinder (Shi Guang Trading)
• YAMI gold-plated siphon (Guangzhou Dazheng)

3rd Place Regional Prizes:

• JOCO coffee cup (Ningbo Linkest, excluding Hong Kong & Taiwan)
• YAMI moka pot (Guangzhou Dazheng – for Hong Kong & Taiwan only)

National Final Prizes — 2015 Toper Cup Finals

Top regional winners advanced to the national finals, where even greater prizes awaited, including equipment from Turkish roaster Toper and specialty tools from around the world.

3rd Place National Prizes:

• Bonavita electronic scale (SuZhou Shunhefeng)
• JOCO 8oz coffee cup (random color, Ningbo Linkest)
• Kalita wave kettle, Kalita 500N dripper, Kalita 185 glass filter (random color), Kalita 185 wave paper (Shi Guang Trading)

2nd Place National Prizes:

• Toper 1kg electric roaster (random color, sponsored by Toper)
• Bonavita 1.0L gooseneck kettle (SuZhou Shunhefeng)
• JOCO 12oz coffee cup (Ningbo Linkest)
• Japanese Prolex hand grinder
• US Impress brewer set
• Kalita copper kettle, Kalita 500N, Kalita 185 glass filter (random), Kalita 185 wave paper (Shi Guang Trading)

1st Place National Prizes:

• Toper 1kg electric roaster (random color, Toper)
• Light Tells CM100 caramelization analyzer
• Bonavita 8-cup Americano brewer (SuZhou Shunhefeng)
• JOCO 16oz coffee cup (Ningbo Linkest)
• US Aeropress kit
• Acaia Pearl Gold scale
• Kalita copper court dripper, Kalita 500N, Kalita 185 glass filter (random), Kalita 185 wave paper (Shi Guang Trading)
• YAMI manual roasting kit (Guangzhou Dazheng)

The total value of prizes for the national champion exceeded ¥200,000.

Competition Coffee & Media

All competitors roasted the same single-origin coffee: a natural-process Yirgacheffe G1, supplied by Taiwan’s A Plus. The event was widely covered by (Coffee Salon), the official media partner.

The roasting machines used in the competition were sponsored by Turkish brand Toper, including the 1kg electric model provided to the national finalists.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many regional divisions were there in the 2015 Toper Cup?

There were 12 regional divisions in the 2015 Toper Cup: Taiwan, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Wuhan, Fuzhou, Puer, Beijing, Haikou, Dalian, Xi’an, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Shanghai and Wuhan reached their 12-person limit early.

What was the maximum number of contestants per region?

Each of the 12 regional divisions accepted a maximum of 12 contestants. No competitor could enter more than one division in the same year.

What coffee did contestants roast in the 2015 Toper Cup?

All contestants roasted a natural-process Yirgacheffe G1 single-origin coffee, provided by Taiwan-based sponsor A Plus.

What were the prizes for the regional winners?

Regional prizes included Bonavita scales, JOCO coffee cups (12oz or 16oz), Kalita filters and kettles, moka pots, and milk frothers, depending on placement. Some prizes were excluded from Hong Kong and Taiwan divisions.

What was the grand prize in the 2015 Toper Cup finals?

The national champion received a Toper 1kg electric roaster, Light Tells CM100 analyzer, Bonavita 8-cup brewer, JOCO 16oz cup, Aeropress set, Acaia scale, and multiple Kalita products including a copper dripper — with total prize value over ¥200,000.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Roasting Practice

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for its bright citrus and floral notes, ideal for practising light roasts like those in competition. For something more balanced, their Yirgacheffe offers juicy berry and stone fruit layers. Both are single origins that respond well to precise heat application—key skills in roasting competitions. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.