If you haven’t heard already, the results for the WBC are as follows:

1. Michael Phillips (USA) 706 points
2. Rual Rodas (Guatemala) 691 points
3. Scottie Callaghan (Australia) 672.5 points
4. Colin Harmon (Ireland) 659.5 points
5. Soren Stiller Markussen (Denmark) 644.5 points
6. Stefanos Domatiotis (Greece) 632 points

Should you have missed any of the action, the videos for all the competitors are still available online here.

The whole event was done really well. The only disappointing thing for me was the drawn out announcement of the final results. Like many people I’m sure, after the final performance by Rual, I wanted to know the results as soon as possible. But instead, I had to endure each and every sponsor being invited onto stage, by the MC, to give a speech.

Could you imagine this happening in the FIFA World Cup? After England beat Brazil in the final (I wish), before Steven Gerrard can lift the trophy we have to hear a speech from all the sponsors.

MC: I’d like to welcome onto the pitch our ball sponsor Adidas.
Adidas: Thank you. This World Cup we at Adidas listen hard to what players and coaches alike wanted from a football. We then went incompletely the opposite direction and took inspiration for the Jabulani ball from those 99p plastic balls you find on the garage forecourt.
MC: Thanks Adidas. Now I’d like to welcome Ronald MacDonald…

Big respect must go to Stephen Leighton of Has Bean Coffee. As a sponsor he had the opportunity (and every right) to promote his company. I can’t remember his exact words, but basically when he was handed the mic he said “Just get on with the results”.

Update: Just watch the announcement back to find out what Stephen’s exact words were. What he actually said wasn’t crude like the words I suggested above – sorry. Light-heartedly Stephen said:

All the baristas rocked. Can we have the results please.

Wimbledon isn’t the only competition kicking off in London next week, as the World Barista Championship arrives in the city. Michael Phillips or Colin Harmon might not be household names like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray; but the WBC is a hotly anticipated event in the coffee calendar.

Starting on 23 June, at the Olympia Exhibition Centre, 54 nationalities will compete over 3 days to see who is crowned World Barista Champion. Each competitor must produce 4 espressos, 4 cappuccinos and 4 signature drinks during a 15 minute performance; which will be scored by an expert panel of judges.

To learn more about the event visit the WBC website. You can also watch live streaming of the championship here.

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As its Friday, I thought I’d post something light-hearted today. On my usual trawl through the internet looking for all things coffee related, I came across this little gem.

In a new book, “The You Code”, authors Judi James (one of the UK’s leading body language and behavioural expert – according to her website) and James Moore have come up with a new study; a weird mix of coffee and astrology. But rather than stars governing the way we behave, it’s the type of coffee we drink.

This new “caffeology” states:

Espresso Drinkers tend to be moody, hard working and hard living. They are into leadership and fast goals. They can be an experienced, exciting and consummate lover, but are not know for reliability or loyalty.

Cappuccino Drinkers tend to be extroverts and optimists. They have a liking for material objects. They enjoy sex but are easily bored by an unimaginative partner.

Latte Drinkers are typical metrosexuals or cuddly-toy collectors. Have an overwhelming compulsion to be liked. They want to come across as hot shot contenders, but are actually quite immature.

Black Coffee Drinkers are minimalists and take a no-frills, direct approach to life. They can be quiet and moody but are prone to brief burst of extroversion.

Instant Coffee Drinkers are cheerful straight forward types, who like a laugh. They have unadventurous careers and leave their socks on during sex.

It would be interesting to know how the research had been done for this book. There’s only so much you can learn from sitting in a coffee bar. How did they find out whether someone wears socks in bed? Did they stalk customers from Starbucks? Maybe all their friends have stopped inviting them round for coffee after too many personal questions: “Thanks for the cappuccino. But tell me do you own a copy of the Karma Sutra?”

Oh course; it’s all a bit of fun (if a little random). As I drink mostly espresso and black coffee that must make me really moody. Although I don’t think you could call me a minimalist, I’m far too untidy for that.

I read an article in the newspaper over the weekend on a study by the University of Palermo, stating that because of its caffeine content, espresso can be bad for the heart. Right next door to this, another article quoted a study declaring that chocolate was good for us as it helps prevent a stroke. So, if I believe what I’ve read then coffee is bad and chocolate is good.

But isn’t this a bit contradictory? Coffee and chocolate both contain caffeine. And if caffeine slows blood flow, while at the same time increasing blood pressure, chocolate shouldn’t really be recommended to prevent strokes.

It seems odd to me, that whenever there’s a study into caffeine (good or bad), it’s always related back to coffee, even if the amount of caffeine involved would mean drinking a ridiculous amount of coffee.

For example, an article on the BBC’s website talks of a study of how mice taking 500mg of caffeine a day reversed the effects of Alzheimer’s.

“The mice were given the equivalent of five 8 oz (227 ml) cups of coffee a day..”

A small rodent drinking five 8oz cups! So to reverse Alzheimer’s, us humans wound need to drink approximately 14,000 cups, or 45 times our own body weight, of coffee every day. I love coffee but I couldn’t drink that much.
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