Olaf Boom
Netherlands
Blommers Coffee Roasters & First Things First Coffee
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I am working as a coffee professional for a few years now, as a barista in a café and quality controller/recipe developer for a coffee roaster. As a graduate of food design my interests are product development in food and beverages. But my main focus is coffee, and constantly trying new things to bring it to a higher level. Beside all that I am a huge outdoor fan and spend time in the nature by hiking, rafting, and climbing!
How did you get started in coffee?:
As a job in a coffee bar during my studies. My curiosity and colleagues helped me to grow as a coffee professional.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2017 Dutch Aeropress Championship – First Round
2018 Dutch Brewers Cup Championship – First Place
What are you excited to do while you are in Brazil?:
I’m excited about the whole competition and meeting brewers from around the world. I really like the compulsory round because of the equal changes for all competitors. After the competition I will take a 3 day trip to some coffee farms, which I am really looking forward to!
What was your first amazing experience with coffee?:
Drinking a super fruity natural processed coffee showed me how much flavour potential coffee can have! Since then coffee has kept surprising me.
What is your favorite coffee brewing method and why?:
V60. It gives me a clean cup, there is enough room to test different recipes, and it is not complex.
What coffee-producing country most interests or excites you?:
It’s hard to choose just one country but I love coffee from kenya! The well developed and experimental farms from countries like Costa Rica and Colombia are very interesting too.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
Food, beverages, hiking, outdoor sports, and nature.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
In product development and as an all-round coffee professional.
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