Canadians who are casual coffee drinkers may associate caffeine with Tim Hortons, Starbucks, or crippling anxiety – but there’s so much more to it! Not all java is made equal and not all baristas are just working their way through college. Some take the art of making a cup of Joe very seriously – and as it turns out, the best of the best actually resides here in Alberta!

Similar to James Grant – who was recently named the best bartender in the entire world, Ply Pasarj, co-owner of Edmonton’s Rogue Wave Coffee Co., has been recognized as one of the top baristas, not only in Canada but in the world by a panel of hard-to-impress judges at the World Brewer’s Cup.

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Placing 1st overall in Canada’s national category and 5th in the globe, Pasarj had only 10 minutes to win them over – but it wasn’t easy.

In an interview with CTV News Edmonton, he told reporters that to get his presentation just right, he actually had to brew over 400 cups of coffee – which luckily, was shared amongst friends, though we can’t imagine that drinking that much of any one thing was all that easy, especially when its caffeine.

Thankfully it was all worth it in the end and he was able to come back to Alberta with a win, so great on you, Ply. Congratulations!

If you’re in the area and would like to grab a cup of joe from the man himself, you can do so at the address below. It might just be the best coffee you’ve ever had!

ROGUE WAVE COFFEE – EDMONTON

Where: 11322 119 St NW, Edmonton