The story of Dinh, the champion of the 2013 Swedish Philharmonic Competition, with the method of making the champion.

Last month the Swedish AeroPress Championship, one of many national championships taking place around the world, was held at Koppi Coffee in Helsingborg, Sweden. Twenty-one competitors came from all corners of Sweden to participate in a shop packed full of friends, family and coffee curious individuals. The grand prize was a round trip ticket to Melbourne for the winner to represent Sweden in the 2013 World AeroPress Championship. The stakes were high, and many of Sweden’s best baristas had shown up to throw down-but Dinh Nguyensson took us all by surprise

Last month the Swedish Philharmonic (and other international competitions) took place at the Koppi Cafe in Helsinki, Sweden. Twenty-one contestants from all over Sweden participated, along with many old friends and coffee lovers. The grand prize was a ticket to Melbourne to represent Sweden in the 2013 World Philharmonic Press Competition, and the prize money was so generous that it attracted many top baristas to attend, and Dinh Nguyensson performed very well.

The final round of three competitors included Dinh, Lisa Raeder from Johan & Nystöm Stockholm, & Johan Moren from DROP Coffee. Each competitor was given eight minutes to brew their best cup. Dinh began boiling his water as he weighed and hand ground his beans, then brewed and pressed into a metal pitcher, swirled to cool and then presented his cup to the judges. Still with plenty of time left, Dinh calmed his nerves by keeping busy cleaning his station. After Lisa and Johan presented their cups the judges tasted and debated which cup was the best.

Finals include Dinh, Lisa Raeder from Johan, Nystöm Stockholm, and Johan Moren from DROP Coffee. Each contestant has eight minutes to make the best coffee. Dinh boils the water while weighing, grinding, brewing, pressing into a golden kettle, and finally stirring to cool it properly for the judges to taste. He timed it pretty well, but complained that he was nervous when he was busy cleaning up his desk. Lisa and Johan then finish their coffees, and the judges finally choose the best coffee.

The judges first awarded 3rd place to Lisa. Then 2nd place to Johan. In the excitement of the reveal, Dinh thought Johan had won. But Dinh was surprised once again to realize that he took 1st place! He couldn’t believe it, he actually did it. In his own words, “then I really began to shake,” shake with excitement. After a couple of beers, the shaking subsided and he piled back into a car to head home as the new Aeropress Champ.

First, the judges awarded the prize to Lisa, the runner-up, and then to John, who was excited, Dinh thought Johan was the winner, and surprisingly, he won the championship himself. He said he was nervous at the start of the race and went home with a new championship after drinking two bottles of beer and no nervousness.

This week Dinh will represent Sweden in the World Aeropress Championship. Although he’s feeling some pressure, he doesn’t plan to change his routine much at all. Dinh’s only desire is to brew a cup that he would enjoy & hopefully the judges will too. DROP coffee not only inspired Dihn, but is also home to this year’s Swedish Barista Cup & Brewer Champions: Oskar & Nico. DROP invited Dinh to practice together with them for Melbourne; where Dinh will be visiting for his first time.

Dinh will represent Sweden in the World Philharmonic Press Competition this week. Although he feels some pressure, he doesn't change his schedule much, he just likes to make a cup of coffee that he likes and the referee likes.

DROP not only inspires Dihn, but will also return to this year's Swedish Coffee and Brewing Competition (at Oskar&Nico)DROP invites Dinh to join them in the Melbourne Finals, which will be his first trip to Melbourne.

Dinh’s first motivation is still what propels him in the coffee world today-to meet new people. He is grateful for all those he has met so far. To him, the AeroPress is the door into the specialty coffee world, and it’s open to everyone-just like the community of welcoming coffee people.

His initial idea for entering the coffee business was simple-to make new friends. He was happy that it had basically come true, and told him that the Philharmonic Press was opening the door to the world of fine coffee and welcoming all coffee-loving people in, just like a big family.

Dinh’s winning AeroPress method:

Dinh's winning method:

Inverted AeroPress

15g of coffee

200g of water, 82°C

50 second steep time

30 second press

and voilà!

Inverted method: 15g powder, 82 degrees 200g water, 50 seconds immersion, 30 seconds press.

Enjoy it: )

(The text and pictures of this article are reproduced on the official website of Aeropress China http://www.aeropress.cn, welcome to exchange and share)