Jooyeon Jeon

Who they are

Jooyeon Jeon is a highly accomplished barista and roaster based in Busan, South Korea. Representing Momos Coffee, she became the first South Korean—and only the second woman in history—to win the World Barista Championship in 2019.

Philosophy

• Scientific Precision: Focuses heavily on the chemistry of coffee, particularly the relationship between carbohydrates and the sweetness of the final cup.
• Warm Hospitality: Believes that technical excellence should never overshadow the "human-to-human" connection of the coffee service.
• Accessibility: Advocates for making complex coffee science understandable for everyday consumers to bridge the gap between specialty coffee and the public.
• Community Growth: Dedicated to raising the profile of the South Korean coffee scene on a global stage through education and mentorship at Momos Coffee.

Notable quotes

"I wanted to find the most comfortable way to communicate with the judges and the audience, so I decided to sit on the table and talk to them like friends."

Signature gear & coffee

• Victoria Arduino Eagle One: Often associated with the brand through her post-championship ambassadorship and demonstrations.
• Sidra Variety: Famously used a La Palma & El Tucán Sidra (lactic process) coffee during her winning 2019 WBC routine.
• Mythos 2 Grinder: The grinder used during her championship-winning performance in Boston.

Known for

• 2019 World Barista Champion: The first winner from South Korea, awarded the title in Boston.
• The "Table" Routine: Known for her unconventional 2019 presentation where she had the judges sit at a low table with her to break down the barrier between barista and customer.
• Momos Coffee: Serving as a leading figure and Director at one of South Korea's most influential specialty coffee roasteries.
• Carbohydrate Research: Her WBC presentation focused specifically on the role of polysaccharides and monosaccharides in creating sweetness in coffee.