Taiwan's Coffee Prince: How Zhang Zhonglun Became a World Barista Champion

In a small coffee shop in Taiwan, a 28-year-old barista named Zhang Zhonglun brewed an espresso so rich and balanced it left a lasting impression. He had just become Taiwan’s youngest World Barista Championship national winner—and he wasn’t even a coffee lover at first. His story isn’t about instant success, but years of reinvention, tasting, and relentless learning.

Zhang Zhonglun won the Taiwan leg of the World Barista Championship in 2009 at age 28. He trained under illy, studied taste scientifically, and practiced brewing over 20 espressos a day. His breakthrough came after two years of intense preparation and just two months of focused competition training.

From Part-Time Job to Coffee Obsession

Zhang Zhonglun’s coffee journey began at 18, not out of passion but necessity. To support himself through school, he took a job at a Roland coffee shop, operating an automatic machine. Later, at an Italian restaurant recommended by his brother, he first encountered espresso-based drinks—but still didn’t enjoy coffee himself.

“I didn’t drink coffee then,” he recalls. “Back then, making coffee meant operating machines. I didn’t know taste.”

Early Training and First Professional Lessons

After earning a degree in visual communication, Zhang chose to work in coffee over design. He joined Kexikang, a Japanese-style coffee shop, where he underwent strict training. Starting on the floor and in food prep, he spent nearly a year before being allowed to train as a barista.

“We weren’t allowed to make coffee for customers during training. Passing that stage felt like I’d finally made it,” he said. That two-year experience gave him foundational work ethics that shaped his later café management style.

The Turning Point: Discovering Coffee Flavor

By age 24, working as a store manager at Darren Coffee, Zhang began experimenting with sourcing and brewing methods. One day, he made a latte so smooth and delicious that it shocked him. It was the first time he tasted “the aroma of coffee and the creaminess of milk” together.

“That moment slowed down for me. I started asking others, ‘Do you taste this too?’ It was the first time I understood how crucial espresso extraction is to the final cup.”

Formal Training and Scientific Tasting

At 25, Zhang joined illy Café’s flagship store, starting over as a beginner. He learned espresso fundamentals through a scientific approach. Intense flavor training became part of his routine—he often drank 20 to 30 espressos a day during practice.

“All brewing techniques come from solid knowledge,” he realized. This period reshaped his understanding—he went from relying on personal preference to discerning subtle flavor notes with precision.

From Judge to Champion: An Unusual Path

In 2007, eager to grow further, Zhang surprised everyone by becoming a coffee judge first—a rare move. “I wanted to learn from the inside,” he explained. After military service, he left illy and, in 2009, met a roaster who sponsored his competition beans.

With just two months of intense preparation, he entered the Taiwan leg of the World Barista Championship in September—and won.

Caffe 4Mano: Sharing Great Coffee with Everyone

Winning wasn’t the end. Alongside three fellow illy baristas, Zhang opened Caffe 4Mano in Taipei’s Da’an district in 2009. Their mission: to help non-coffee drinkers fall in love with good coffee.

“The best ending for coffee lovers is getting more people to enjoy great coffee,” Zhang said. The shop became a hub for introducing quality brews to newcomers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old was Zhang Zhonglun when he won the Taiwan World Barista Championship?

Zhang Zhonglun was 28 years old when he won the Taiwan regional round of the World Barista Championship in 2009.

What sparked Zhang Zhonglun’s interest in coffee flavor?

At age 24, while managing Darren Coffee, Zhang accidentally brewed a latte with exceptional smoothness and flavor. It was his first experience tasting the actual qualities of coffee and milk working together, shifting his focus from technique to flavor.

Where did Zhang Zhonglun receive formal coffee training?

Zhang trained formally at illy Café’s flagship store starting at age 25, where he learned espresso fundamentals through a scientific, taste-focused methodology. He practiced by drinking 20–30 espressos daily.

Why did Zhang Zhonglun become a coffee judge before competing?

In 2007, Zhang chose to become a certified coffee judge first to gain deeper insight into evaluation standards. This unique path helped him understand competition criteria before entering as a contestant himself.

What café did Zhang Zhonglun open after winning the championship?

In 2009, Zhang co-founded Caffe 4Mano in Taipei with three other baristas. The goal was to introduce high-quality coffee to those who typically didn’t drink it, making specialty coffee more accessible.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Barista Training

FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui offers bright citrus and floral notes, ideal for practicing espresso clarity. Their PWN Golden Mandheling delivers heavy body and spice, perfect for exploring texture and balance. Both beans highlight the nuanced brewing techniques Zhang Zhonglun mastered during his training. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.