US Barista Championship 2026 – Finals Performance
Finalist: Morgan Ekroth (Onyx Coffee Lab, Portland, Oregon)
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Return After a Hiatus: Morgan explains she took last season off to rediscover her love for coffee. Her driving force is to share the "magic" of coffee – defining it as experiences that defy expectations.
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First Coffee – Panamá Geisha (Alita Estate):
- Origin: Lamastus family, Barú Volcano, Boquete, Panama (1900m elevation).
- Process: Slow, controlled drying in a dark, temperature-controlled room with 7 humidifiers.
- Roast: Stronghold roaster at approx. 191°C (375°F), 9 min 4 sec.
- Extraction: 20g in, 45g out, 28 seconds.
- Flavor Notes: Raspberry, Earl Grey (floral black tea), chocolate-covered orange. Medium to light body, soft and round.
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Second Coffee – Colombia SL28 (Edinson Argote / Kraidas Coffee):
- Process: Washed, 24h yeast fermentation, thermal shock with cold water.
- Use: Base for the milk course.
- Extraction: 20g in, 35g out, 25 seconds.
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Milk Beverage (Signature Beverage – Part I):
- Base: 75% lactose-free whole milk (freeze-distilled to 50% volume) + 25% barista series coconut milk.
- Texture: 20g freeze-dried whole milk powder.
- Flavor Profile: Combined creates milk chocolate, red cherry, and salted caramel.
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Creative Beverage (Signature Beverage – Part II):
- Bridges both coffees: 80g chilled espresso (both coffees).
- Ingredients: 45g mango juice (creates strawberry yogurt flavor) + 35g milk punch (whole milk, bergamot juice, Colombian cane sugar) for milk chocolate & orange creamsicle.
- Texture: 1.5g soy lecithin, charged with N₂O. Served cold.
- Visual Magic: Rose snow (nitrogenated rose water frozen with liquid nitrogen) – melts into drink, chilling it to sipping temperature.
- Flavor Notes: Strawberry yogurt, milk chocolate, orange creamsicle.
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The Bigger Vision: Morgan collaborated with cafes across the US (Colombia, Arkansas, Portland) to make her competition drinks available to customers – served live during her presentation. Her goal is to extend the magic of coffee craftsmanship beyond the stage and inspire the next generation.
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Post-Presentation: Emotional conversation with her coach Isaiah Sheppard (Archetype Coffee). They discuss the importance of a support team, the challenges of coffee sourcing (2026 Panama harvest), and her motivation to inspire others, just as she was once encouraged.
- Core Message: "Magic in coffee" is not accidental but the result of hard work, science, and dedication. It should be shared, not confined to the stage.
- Innovation: Use of freeze-drying, nitrogen, and liquid nitrogen for texture and temperature.
- Community: Competition requires a village – collaboration with friends, family, and the industry was central.
- Inspiration: Morgan's story emphasizes resilience and the value of giving back to the coffee community.
