Why Ibrik Found Jane Cabusas Espante

Before the trophies, before the world stage, and before her name became associated with one of coffee’s oldest brewing traditions, Jane Cabusas Espante, World Cezve/Ibrik Champion 2026 was simply someone learning how to begin again in a new place.

photo by World Coffee Championship

Born in Cebu and shaped by more than a decade of life in the United Arab Emirates, her journey into coffee start with migration, work, and the quiet process of building a life far from home. Coffee entered her story later than most. What began as barista training soon became something deeper. A discipline to study, a language to share, and eventually, a way to understand identity itself.

HUDES | Worldwide Magazine on Manual Coffee

In this conversation, HUDES Magazine traces the path behind the titles, following the experiences, relationships, and turning points that shaped not only a competitor, but a teacher, a mother, and a voice for a brewing tradition often overlooked. From a first life-changing cup of Kenyan filter coffee to an unexpected calling toward Ibrik, this is a story about how coffee moves through people. Reshaping where they belong, what they pursue, and how they choose to be remembered long after the competition ends.

Before the titles and trophies, where are you from, and what kind of place shaped you?

I come from Cebu, Philippines, but the UAE has been home for more than a decade. I entered the F&B industry at 18 while studying in college, and in late 2013 I took a leap of faith and moved to the UAE for work. This country shaped the person I am today. The UAE gave me space to grow, opportunities to lead, and eventually a family of my own. I now work in a corporate role, overseeing barista training across 35 locations in the UAE.

Growing up, was coffee already part of your daily life, or did it enter your story much later?

Coffee came into my life much later. I only started drinking coffee when I moved to the UAE and began training for a barista role. That moment marked the start of my coffee journey and an endless cycle of learning. From that point on, I became a student of coffee, constantly curious and eager to understand more.

Do you remember the first coffee that made you pause, not because it was “good,” but because it felt meaningful?

Yes, very clearly. It was a filtered Kenyan washed coffee I tasted during my first specialty coffee workshop at Specialty Batch Coffee. Until then, my idea of coffee was intense, heavy, and sharply bitter. Experiencing something so clean, vibrant, and expressive completely shifted my perspective. That moment opened a door to deeper exploration, and the way I understood coffee was never the same again.

Outside coffee, what kind of person were you before competitions entered your life?

Before competitions, my world revolved around being a mom. My days outside of work were filled with video calls with my son, who was still in the Philippines at the time. Beyond that, I found joy in simple moments meeting friends, sharing meals, and catching up whenever time allowed.

At what point did coffee stop being a job and start becoming an identity?

Almost from the beginning. That first experience with Kenyan filter coffee pulled me in deeply. Coffee quickly became more than a role, it became something I wanted to understand, share, and teach. I started guiding my colleagues, encouraging them to look beyond coffee as just a beverage and explore the stories, processes, and intentions behind it. That’s when it truly became part of who I am.

Was there a specific moment, city, or person that quietly redirected your path toward competition?

People played a huge role. I was surrounded by individuals who were deeply passionate and driven by quality. My mentor and longtime friend Fred inspired me early on, especially when he won the UAE National Latte Art Championship. Later, I met my husband, Kemal, who shares the same competitive spirit. He became my competition coach, constantly challenging my ideas and pushing me to rethink what competition really means. Their influence shaped my confidence to step onto the stage.

Moving across countries, cultures, and competition stages, where do you feel most “at home” today?

The UAE feels like home in every sense. This is where I built my career, grew professionally, and discovered my potential. More importantly, this is where my family is. No matter where competitions take me, this is the place I always return to and feel grounded.

When you look back at your journey so far, does choosing Ibrik feel like a decision, or like something that chose you instead?

It feels like it chose me. The first time I tasted coffee brewed in a cezve, it completely surprised me. It challenged every misconception I had about Ibrik being harsh or overly bitter. That experience stayed with me, and in that moment, I knew I wanted to compete not just to compete, but to share this method with a wider audience. I was initially preparing for Brewers, but Ibrik called louder. It’s the oldest brewing method, yet often overlooked, and I felt it deserved a stronger voice in specialty coffee.

If you had stayed on a more popular competition path, who do you think you would be now and what would be missing?

I believe I would still be the same person. The competition path was never about chasing titles, it was about impact. For me and my team, competitions are a platform to support the community we love. Coffee should bring people together, not create divisions, regardless of which stage or format you choose.

Your name carries a history. Do your roots influence how you approach coffee, competition, or teaching?

Very much so. Being Filipino shapes how I approach everything. We value hard work, humility, and giving our best in whatever we do. We understand that growth doesn’t happen alone, and seeking support is a strength, not a weakness. Most importantly, we believe in sharing knowledge because that’s how communities grow stronger together.

Competing on a world stage often asks people to simplify their identity. What part of yourself do you refuse to simplify?

I don’t believe competition should simplify who you are, it should amplify it. On the world stage, you’re asked to stand by what you believe in and deliver the best experience possible, whether to judges or consumers. That mindset shouldn’t change between competition and real café life. Authenticity, intention, and care should remain the same, no matter the setting.

When all competitions are over and the titles fade, how would you like people to remember you: as a champion, a teacher, or something else entirely?

I hope to be remembered as someone who gave back to the coffee community through teaching, sharing experiences, and inspiring others to explore coffee more deeply. Whether they’re baristas, enthusiasts, or even non–coffee drinkers, I want people to remember that I encouraged them to see coffee not just as a drink, but as an experience worth discovering.