Starbucks Korea Coffee Ambassador Kim Do-hyung presents at the Asia-Pacific Regional Barista Championships. [Starbucks Korea]
Starbucks Korea Coffee Ambassador Kim Do-hyung presents at the Asia-Pacific Regional Barista Championships. [Starbucks Korea]

Starbucks Korea announced Tuesday that it won the Best Signature Beverage category at the Asia-Pacific Regional Barista Championships.

The competition, marking its 10th anniversary this year, was held in Manila, Philippines, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Twenty-five Starbucks partners representing 13 countries competed across disciplines including brewing, latte art and signature beverages.

Kim Do-hyung, a Starbucks Korea coffee ambassador who represented South Korea, took the award with an original drink reimagining the caffe latte. The beverage was crafted by clarifying milk three times to remove protein while preserving flavor, then cold-aging it to draw out the natural sweetness of the whey. The Best Signature Beverage category was newly introduced this year, making Kim its inaugural winner.

The drink's development theme was "Human Connection," reflecting the idea of building rapport with customers through coffee. During his presentation, Kim invited the judges to take part in the milk clarification process, allowing them to witness firsthand how the milk is refined to a clear state.

Starbucks Korea plans to launch the award-winning drink in South Korea. The company intends to offer customers a differentiated coffee experience by introducing beverages that draw on its partners' expertise and creativity.

"We will continue to support our partners in showcasing their talents and broaden our connection with customers through the rich stories that coffee can tell," said Shin Dong-woo, chief executive of Starbucks Korea.


siuu@heraldcorp.com