Portugal AeroPress 2025

Competition Rules and Regulations

1. Event Format

   1. The competition follows a knockout format over several rounds.
   2. In each round three contestants prepare coffee simultaneously using an AeroPress
   3. Competitors have 5 minutes for the entire coffee preparation, extraction and presentation process.
   4. After extraction, the coffees must be presented in identical containers to a panel of judges.
   5. The judges will carry out a blind tasting based on flavour, evaluating each coffee privately to determine the best.
   6. After a synchronised count of three, the judges simultaneously point to the coffee they prefer.
   7. The winner of the round advances to the next stage; the rest are eliminated.

2. Equipment Specifications and Restrictions

   1. Competitors must use a genuine AeroPress Original or AeroPress Clear.
   2. All the main components must be used: the cylinder, the piston, and the original filter cap or Flow Control Filter Cap.
   3. Use of the Flow Control Filter Cap is permitted as long as it is a genuine AeroPress product and not a parallel or other branded version.
   4. Other versions such as AeroPress Go, XL and Premium are not permitted.
      Customised AeroPress are allowed as long as they derive from a genuine, unmodified AeroPress Original or Clear.
   5. No other coffee preparation methods are permitted, including but not limited to: French Press, Pour-over, Syphon, Zero Bypass, among others.

3. Filters - Use and Guidelines

   1. Any type or brand of filter is permitted, as long as it does not replace the AeroPress filter cover.
   2. The filters can be made of paper, metal, fabric or any other material, as long as they are neutral in flavour and do not alter the sensory profile of the coffee.
   3. The filter must fit into the filter cap or Flow Control Filter Cap and be the main means of filtering the coffee.

4. Accessories and Preparation Tools

   1. Accessories such as: mills, kettles, decanters, scales, stirrers, spoons, stopwatches, thermometers, stands, sieves, blowers, RDT/WDT tools, frosty balls and water dispersion aids are permitted.
   2. All accessories must respect the rules listed in "Equipment Specifications and Restrictions" and must not violate other rules.

5. Preparation Regulations

   1. Only ground coffee and water are allowed as ingredients.
   2. If the coffee or water for the competition is provided by the organisation, it is the only one allowed.
   3. The recipe can contain a maximum of 18g of ground coffee.
   4. The competitor must prepare at least 150g of extracted coffee.
   5. Bypass water may be added at any temperature.
   6. Coffees not presented within the 5-minute time limit will not be evaluated.

6. Coffee regulations

   1. Each competitor receives 150g of coffee to practise with before the championship.
   2. The coffee in the competition is an Ethiopia, Heirloom, Natural Anaerobic variety, roasted by Buraca Roasters.
   3. It is compulsory to use only the coffee provided by the organisation.
   4. On the day, you'll have more coffee available to test and train before your race.

7. Water Regulations

   1. If it's not provided, competitors can bring their own water.
   2. The water should have a neutral flavour, with no additives or noticeable sweetness.
   3. The Chief Judge can test the water and disqualify it if it is not appropriate.
   4. The use of ice and any temperature of water for bypass is permitted.
   5. The same rules apply to infusion water, bypass and ice.

8. Evaluation Process

   1. Each round is judged by blind tasting with a spoon (spoon, sip, spit).
   2. The identification of the contestants is hidden at the bottom of the cups.
   3. There is no formal score sheet; the judges choose the coffee they prefer.
   4. Decisions are individual, without discussion between judges.
   5. On the count of three, the judges point to the chosen cup.
   6. The presenter reveals the winner by raising the chosen cup.
   7. In the event of a tie (each judge chooses a different cup), the Head Judge tastes all the coffees and decides the winner - this decision is final.

9. Pre-Competition Preparation

   1. Before the official time on stage, the contestants can:
      • Preheat the water;
      • Sort and weigh the coffee;
      • Setting up AeroPress;
      • Place the filter in the lid.

10. Assembly time (on stage)

    1. Before the start of the official competition time, the competitors will have a few minutes to get ready
    2. The competitors can;
       • Switch on kettles or other equipment;
       • Position the extraction material;
       • Preheat the water in the kettle.
    3. The competitors no can:
       • Wash the filter;
       • Preheat or cool the AeroPress or containers.
       • Put the coffee through a coffee grinder.

11. Competition Time

    1. During the 5 minutes, the contestants must:
       • Preheat or cool equipment (if desired);
       • Grind the coffee;
       • Prepare the recipe;
       • Pour all the extracted coffee into the judgement container.

12. Eligibility for Regional and National Competitions

    1. Anyone of any age can compete.
    2. Participants must be citizens or residents of Portugal.
    3. People in management or leadership positions in the organising body may not compete in the event they organise.
    4. Anyone with a shareholding in an organisation hosting an AeroPress championship may not compete in any regional or national stage of the season in which that organisation is hosting.
    5. Employees, contractors or freelancers directly involved in organising the event are also not eligible.

13. Eligibility for the World Final

    1. If the National Champion is unable to travel or obtain a visa, 2nd place takes over.
    2. If 2nd place can't go, the place goes to 3rd place.
    3. Eligibility does not go beyond 3rd place, nor can it be transferred.
    4. The vacancy cannot be accumulated for future editions.

14. Winner Can't Travel

    1. If the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places are unable to attend the World Final, the host must award a consolation prize money to the National Champion.
    2. This premium must be equivalent to at least 50% of the estimated travel costs, for example:
       Accommodation (3 nights x $200) = $600
       Flights (return) = $3,000
       Estimated total = $3,600
       Prize money (50%) = $1,800
    3. The value of the prize must be validated and approved by the World AeroPress Championship.
    4. The prize must be paid in cash or bank transfer within 7 days of approval.
    5. This prize is only a last resort. National Champions are expected to participate and Hosts are expected to guarantee this participation.

15. Complaints and Disputes Procedure

    1. 1. Any complaints or disputes at Regional or National competitions should be directed to the Host of the event (Tasteology)
       2. If not resolved, or if the complaint relates to the World Final, a clear and concise explanation should be sent to: He***@**ro.press
       3. Complaints via social networks or direct messages will not be considered.