Every second counts. Points are at stake. Controversies are brewing: Should anaerobic processing be allowed? How about yeast fermentation?⁠ ⁠ Welcome to the competitive barista circuit, where coffee reputations are made and destroyed in 15-minute routines. Events that began around 2000 have mushroomed into cutthroat competitions grading everything from espresso shots to bespoke beverages.⁠ ⁠ Now, the company that made craft coffee mainstream wants in on the action. ⁠ ⁠ Starbucks is holding a global competition exclusively among its baristas to showcase their skills and pump up the brand. The coffee giant has held regional contests for around a decade, but now it wants to crown its own world champ.⁠ ⁠ In Las Vegas this month, tension was high after 84,000 entrants were winnowed down to 12 contestants who sought to dazzle clipboard-toting judges with decades of coffee know-how. Hosts narrated the moves for cheering audience members.⁠ ⁠ Starbucks paid for coaches for its competitors to refine their skills ahead of the Vegas showcase. The final four contenders came from China, Japan and Jordan. During the battle royal, held before more than 14,000 ecstatic Starbucks store leaders, attendees gasped when they heard about some of the drink additions, like apple juice and a secret sauce of Japanese yuzu.⁠ ⁠ Japan’s Nobuki Shimode took the top prize with his “Blooming Yuzu Espresso” and called to the judges to “please take a cup and smell it.”⁠ ⁠ “I think you are destined for the Food Network next,” Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said to Shimode after his win.⁠ ⁠ Read more at the link in our bio.⁠ ⁠ 📷: @mikaylawhitmore for @wsjphotos