Spare parts

Hello, I’m Kullapha, one of the co-founders of the brand Squeaky. I’m here to share my ideas at the Barista Innovation Challenge, Thailand. I decided to compete again in the Barista Innovation Challenge 2024 Thailand because the word “Innovation” truly attracted me. Despite having only 10 days to practice, I gave it my all. I’m not a professional barista; I’ve been a café owner who hasn’t been on the bar for 17 years. My main role is to solve problems for baristas and invent coffee equipment, as well as manufacture a Thai coffee machine brand. This time, I chose to present “Tom Yum Coffee,” which uses ingredients like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal, which are usually very spicy and bitter. So, I applied an innovative method to extract the aroma using equipment that can be easily crafted. The advantage of this method is that you can store the aroma in the fridge for a long time, or you can prepare it fresh in front of customers in just 2-5 minutes. Depending on the volume of ingredients. You can adapt and use any ingredients that have the essential oils. The process is simple: blend the ingredients and boil them in a pot connected to a tube. The steam from the boiling will pass through the cold tube and touch the cold area. This process captures the essential oils and turns them into a fragrant liquid, perfect for use as a coffee ingredient without the excessive spice or bitterness. This process calls for the distillation. Although the innovation went well, I struggled with grinding and extracting the coffee since I hadn’t been on the bar for 17 years. I ended up going over the time limit by about 1 minute 50 seconds and got an 8-point deduction, which placed me second instead of first. While I was disappointed, I understood what the general competitor feels like to give everything you have but not achieve the expected result. Ultimately, my purpose wasn’t to become a professional competitor, but to showcase innovation, because I am an “innovator.” I am grateful for this competition, which gave me the opportunity to share my experience and knowledge.

Today marks exactly one year since Squeaky started setting up booths in over 10 countries around the world. Pursuing our dream of reaching the global stage has been a roller coaster. One thing is certain—it’s been incredibly exhausting. Our dream is too big to let fatigue stop us. In the past eight months, we have won three major international awards for our coffee equipment, making the global coffee community recognize Squeaky as a brand from Thailand. 1. In October last year, we received the 2023 SCAJ Good Design Product Award at the SCAJ event in Japan. 2. In April this year, we won the 2024 SCA Best New Product award in Chicago at the World of Coffee event in the United States. 3. Just last month , we were honored with the 2024 SCA Best New Product award in Copenhagen at the World of Coffee event in Denmark. Thank you to all our friends and supporters. Your support is the driving force and encouragement that keeps us going. 🙏🏻