ABOUT
YASUO ISHII
A representative of LEAVES COFFEE ROASTERS, Yasuo is both a self-taught roaster and barista. Born in Fukagawa, Tokyo, his unshakable dedication stems from his time as a professional boxer and 20 years in the restaurant business. in 2010, a gift of coffee from an acquaintance opened the door to a new world. He established LEAVES COFFEE APARTMENT in 2016. Yasuo believes that coffee can inspire, connect, and change one’s life.
LEAVES
COFFEE
ROASTERS
In January 2019, LEAVES COFFEE APARTMENT expanded into ROASTERS. The owner, Yasuo Ishii, is a self-taught barista and roaster,
and has established his own style in both crafts. In the first year competing in the Japan Roasting Competition, LEAVES ranked
first in the Tokyo area and third in the country.
In order to dedicate full concentration to both roasting and their cafe, the roastery is open just four days a week.
By maximizing the potential of the ingredients, LEAVES aims to achieve a clean cup with a pleasant balance of acidity and sweetness.
Through coffee, the team aims to deliver extraordinary experiences in the every day, enrich the global environment, and maximise people's health.
Japan Brewers Cup 2025
For competition, Yasuo shaped his brewing routine around three critical elements: intensity, quality, and complexity. These were integral to creating a cup of unparalleled clarity and flavor. Using a Panama Geisha bean, Yasuo applied precise temperature control. All these details unveiled a tapestry of vibrant flavors, including mango, red grape, and the delicate essence of orange blossom. Through a precise grind and an ultra-short extraction, he achieved a floral fruitiness and a rich, full-bodied sweetness.
OPEN SERVICE RECIPE
Farm
Lost Origin Finca Maya
Bean
12 g
Aroma
Mango, orange blossom, red grape
Country
Panama
Water
180 g
Flavor
Mango, red grape, grape gummies
Variety
Gesha
Time
1:30
Finish
Gentle black tea, bright orange blossom, blackcurrant acidity
Process
Natural
Temperature
95 °C / 78 °C
Mouthfeel
Evolves from rich and smooth to light and silky
Farm
Lost Origin Finca Maya
Country
Panama
Variety
Gesha
Process
Natural
Bean
12 g
Water
180 g
Time
1:30
Temperature
95 °C / 78 °C
Aroma
Mango, orange blossom, red grape
Flavor
Mango, red grape, grape gummies
Finish
Gentle black tea, bright orange blossom, blackcurrant acidity
Mouthfeel
Evolves from rich and smooth to light and silky
COMPETITION SETUP
To achieve ultra-fast and precise brewing, Yasuo collaborated with Acaia to innovate. He proposed a pour-over stand with both adjustable height and a Drip Lock mechanism for precise control over the final extraction. These ideas became a reality through the Acaia Keystone Stand. Designed to pair with a customized Pearl S, the Lunar, and the Pyxis Black, the Keystone Stand has become an essential tool in this precision routine.
INNOVATION GEARS
Origami Pinn – is a prototype 55 Degree dart dripper designed for this brewing method. Origami is known for its drippers and ceramics crafted in Japan.
Acaia Keystone Stand – is a customized stand made especially for the Brewers Cup competition. It allows micro adjustments and total control over the attached accessories.
Acaia Leaves' Drip Lock – is an innovative collaboration between Leaves and Acaia. It allows instant locking of the dripping process to control the extraction precisely, to a level never seen before. This works well with Yasuo's super-fast extraction method to yield the most consistent cup.
Acaia Pearl S and Lunar – The dual-scale brew extraction setup was first imagined and introduced in 2016 by Acaia alongside the Brewbar App. With the Keystone stand, the Lunar is combined with the Pearl S to measure the exact beverage weight. The Pearl S, in tandem, provides real-time flow rate and total water weight.
Acaia Pyxis Black – used in the routine to measure the most precise portion of the coffee. At 0.001 resolution, it ensures there is zero tolerance of the margin of error for competition coffee.
COMPETITION GEAR SET
