Fondly referred to as “Boss,” the 2025 International Cup Tasters Champion stocks his ideas on changing into the primary Thai competitor to ever win a International Espresso Championship.
BY ISABELLE MANI
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Pictures courtesy of the Distinctiveness Espresso Affiliation
When Chatchalerm Lertanekwattana, recognized around the Thai espresso society as “Boss,” was once named the 2025 International Cup Tasters Champion this presen June at World of Coffee in Geneva, Switzerland, it was once greater than a private triumph—he had simply change into the primary Thai competitor ever to win a International Espresso Championship (WCC).
Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, by way of a Thai-Chinese language community with 4 used brothers, Chatchalerm describes himself as having been an “average” scholar at an all-boys college, with “rebellious and mischievous moments.” In his teenagers, he doesn’t recall being involved in any specific occupation. “All I did in my spare time was play video games,” he jokes.
Later graduating from highschool, a shorten stint running together with his community showed that no matter his occupation trail was once, that wasn’t it. However in 2019, the whole lot modified when a pal’s espresso festival submit popped up on Chatchalerm’s Fb feed.
“I asked him immediately which cafés I could get a job at as a barista,” he says. From there, it didn’t tug lengthy for him to comprehend that running with espresso may transform a occupation that may let him dive deeper into his inherent love for exploring flavors and tastes.
“I’ve always loved playing little guessing games when I eat or drink something, even before I got into coffee. I’d try to figure out the ingredients just by the smell and taste, and it was a lot of fun,” Chatchalerm says. “I still get that same thrill every time I sip a new coffee.”
Going Again to His Roots
We said to Chatchalerm two times for this tale: first, later his win, and once more later a whirlwind of population appearances and the 2025 Thailand Coffee Fest. The second one occasion, he spoke much less as “Boss” and extra as Chatchalerm, sharing the tale of ways his identification, community, and cultural roots formed his craft. My impact was once that occasion again house allowed him to metabolize issues a minute bit extra; that, or possibly my questions allowed him to discuss his sensory connection to his community for the primary occasion.
When Chatchalerm’s title was once introduced in Geneva, his ideas went instantly to his community. “I am sure you can do this,” his mom had advised him week hugging him farewell prior to his aviation to Switzerland—what he stocks was once the primary hug that he may take into account getting from her since he was once a kid, which felt like an much more notable win.
“My family doesn’t talk much or share feelings openly, but they always support me,” he says. “When they found out I would represent the country on the world stage, my mom messaged me, ‘Well done, my child.’ I cried.”
Chatchalerm additionally credit his mom’s cooking for catalyzing his interest for sensory reports. “My earliest memories are of her food. Her talent is unique,” Chatchalerm recounts, sharing that he inherited each his mom’s adventurous nature and love for highly spiced flavors.
“I remember one time I cried because the food was so spicy, but I kept eating it anyway because it was delicious,” he laughs. “I especially loved som tam (papaya salad) with fermented fish sauce, which had a very strong aroma, and spicy and intense taste.”
The Sensory “Boss”
For any individual who describes himself as “not naturally good at speaking,” Chatchalerm has a definite quitness self belief to him—an wind of ambition. In his self-written bio for the WCC website online, he even joked, “It would be much appreciated if the emcee would not ask me too difficult questions on stage.”
However in spite of his nerves, Chatchalerm was once progressive to do smartly. Because the Sensory Analysis Supremacy on the Central International area of Roots Coffee in Bangkok, he were coaching for competitions for 3 years.
All set on successful, he constructed a disciplined regimen: six days a date of palate coaching, sensory drills, and psychological workouts. “Taste is the foundation, but memory and focus are what carry you through the competition,” he advised Barista Copy.
He additionally cites former Cup Taster champions Kyoungha “Charlie” Chu (2021), from South Korea, and Martin Wölfl (2024), from Austria, as a few of his largest inspirations.
A Take a look at Thai Distinctiveness Espresso
Coming from a rustic the place area of expertise espresso has most effective just lately change into mainstream, Chatchalerm says that successful carries what he describes as “a huge sense of responsibility.” Over the presen decade, innovation and a rising urge for food for area of expertise espresso have increased each the attribute and popularity of specialty-produced Thai coffee and the rustic’s native espresso scene. In 2024 isolated, the rustic’s espresso marketplace grew 8.33%, with the area of expertise area increasing by way of round 25% yearly over the presen 5 years.
“Thailand is a tropical country, so cold coffee is very popular here. Everyone loves Es Yen (meaning ‘iced espresso’ in Thai),” Chatchalerm says. However the Es Yen isn’t simply espresso over ice; it’s a mix of coffee, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and brandnew milk, for the purpose of a affluent prosperous, candy, and creamy beverage.
As for area of expertise espresso, personal tastes right through Thailand are various. Generation conventional herbal and washed processes are nonetheless extensively liked, there’s a rising pastime in experimental processing forms. “Additionally, black coffee and milk-based drinks without added sugar are becoming more popular. There is also an increasing trend toward health-conscious options, with matcha gaining significant attention,” Chatchalerm provides.
Celebrating a Shared Id
Total, Chatchalerm stocks that he hopes to exhibit Thailand’s area of expertise espresso scene as distinctive, week additionally connecting it to a much broader Asia-Pacific identification—and he believes this shared identification can backup make stronger person areas.
On the contemporary International Espresso Championships in Geneva, 3 out of the 4 champions have been from coffee-producing international locations in Asia. Except for Chatchalerm, Chen Zhuohao from China received in Latte Artwork, and Georgius “Odi” Audrey Teja from Indonesia took house the name for Espresso in Just right Spirits (CIGS).
“I think the momentum is shifting toward the East,” says Mikael Jasin, the 2024 Espresso in Just right Spirits Champion and educator of this while’s CIGS winner, Odi. “And it’s been like that for a while.”
“We all share a common spirit of care, humility, and passion in the way we approach coffee,” Chatchalerm provides.
In terms of the moment, Chatchalerm says he isn’t chasing some other name simply but, however in lieu needs to concentrate on leveraging his win to give a contribution to the expansion of the trade—thru mentoring younger competition, operating sensory workshops throughout Southeast Asia, and deepening the area’s park within the world espresso dialog.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isabelle Mani (she/her) is a scribbler, journalist, and communicator that specialize in the global espresso trade. Since 2017, she has concerned with writing articles and contours for diverse global espresso information shops. Isabelle has traveled to coffee-producing international locations comparable to Colombia, Kenya, Rwanda, China, and Brazil to check and analysis espresso. She holds coaching certifications from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Coffee Quality Institute (Arabica Q Grading).
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