Vancouver Island’s French Press Coffee Roasters Crowned World Espresso Champions
French Press Coffee Roasters has won the Golden Bean World Series in Guatemala, making them world champions of espresso with their Colombian “co-ferment” coffee. Owner Jeremy Perkins emphasizes the validation of quality in his work and highlights advancements in the specialty coffee industry. His experience over 24 years supports ongoing innovation and learning in the field.
French Press Coffee Roasters has achieved global recognition by winning the top prize at the Golden Bean World Series held in Guatemala, thus naming them world champions of espresso. Located in Parksville and Qualicum Beach, the company secured the coveted award with their Colombian “co-ferment” coffee, which is distinguished by its cherry base.
Owner Jeremy Perkins attributes the success of his coffee to its harmonious blend of flavors, including cherry, almond, tropical fruit, and a hint of chocolate. Although he has not yet received official feedback from the judges, he expresses satisfaction in having his expertise validated. Perkins stated, “It’s not necessarily about the medal, for me, it’s more that somebody says, yeah, you’ve done a good job with that coffee.”
The 2025 Golden Bean World Series took place from February 17 to February 20 in Antigua, Guatemala, welcoming competitors from various regions who had previously won gold or silver medals at associated championships. The specialty coffee world is evolving rapidly, and Perkins’ winning coffee employed an innovative co-ferment technique that enhances flavor through anaerobic fermentation, whereby coffee is fermented with additional ingredients like cherry powder.
Perkins recounted his surprise at seeing “French Press Coffee Roasters – U.S.A” displayed during the award ceremony, an indication of trade tensions between Canada and the United States. He remarked, “What you want to see is ‘Canada’ up there in big letters on the stage.”
Having participated in Golden Bean competitions for several years, Perkins is well-versed in the evolving specialty coffee landscape. He noted having previously won a gold medal for an Ethiopian blend, although he believes it would not compete as effectively today due to advancements in coffee processing techniques.
Perkins has engaged in trade missions, such as a recent visit to Honduras to foster relationships with local farmers. He expressed the value of his interactions, stating, “Sometimes we can taste where there have been some issues with the growing or the processing or the keeping of it.”
With 24 years of experience in the specialty coffee industry, including roles in the UK and judging barista competitions, Perkins has continually learned and adapted within this dynamic field. He remarked, “You just learn along the way.”
French Press Coffee Roasters, hailing from Vancouver Island, has emerged as the 2025 Golden Bean World Series espresso champions in Guatemala. Their innovative Colombian coffee, which utilized a co-ferment process, showcased remarkable flavors. Owner Jeremy Perkins emphasized the importance of validation in his work and acknowledged the ever-evolving nature of the specialty coffee industry. His extensive experience, both domestically and internationally, continues to enrich his craft.
Original Source: www.goldstreamgazette.com
