Champion's Choice: Daniele Ricci, 2025 Italian Barista Champion

In the world of specialty coffee, every detail matters—especially water. For Daniele Ricci, the 2025 Italian Barista Champion, precision in water composition played a key role in his journey to victory. By using APAX LAB mineral concentrates, Daniele was able to refine his coffee and signature beverage, elevating his performance on stage.

Why did you choose APAX LAB to make your water for the competition?

I first heard about APAX LAB from a friend who was building his own water for brewing coffee at home. My curiosity led me straight to APAX LAB’s Instagram page, and after checking it out, I knew I had to try it myself—especially with competition in mind.

Once I received the product, I started experimenting, mainly with filter coffee, but later expanded into other liquids like syrups and juices for my signature drink. It became clear that APAX LAB was refining my ingredients and making the process more precise and consistent—an essential factor for competition success.

In what ways did the mineral concentrates help you win the competition?

I found that Jamm enhanced the texture and sweetness of one of my key ingredients. It provided a richer mouthfeel and balanced out the flavors, especially when the ingredient was freshly prepared. That level of control made a huge difference on stage.

What is your favorite APAX LAB profile?

I love all three profiles, and I choose them based on the coffee I’m brewing and the experience I want to create. But if I had to pick just one, Jamm would be my top choice—especially given how it helped shape my championship routine.

What was your winning water recipe with APAX LAB? And what coffee did you use it with?

For my signature beverage, I added 5 drops of Jamm to 40mL of fresh mosto from Colombia. My coffee of choice was a Chiroso variety from Finca Las Flores, and the combination was a game-changer.

What advice would you give to someone just getting started with making their own water?

At first, my biggest question was: “Where do I even start?” But I quickly found that experimentation is the most fun and rewarding part of the process. I learned so much by reading APAX LAB’s research and playing around with different mineral combinations. My advice? Try them out with as many different coffees as you can. Let the results speak for themselves!

Daniele’s journey highlights how APAX LAB helps baristas push the boundaries of coffee. From perfecting espresso extraction to crafting signature drinks, mineral concentrates offer a level of precision that makes all the difference on stage and beyond.

Congratulations to Daniele on his well-deserved victory! We can’t wait to see what’s next for him.

Want to experiment like a champion? Try APAX LAB today and take control of your brew!