CCTV9英语新闻：德黑兰的咖啡师大赛（在线收听）

Baristas have been steaming up the beverage at a café championship in Tehran. Participants in the context are required to make several types of coffee, and to create something artistic along the way.

Iranian coffee-making enthusiasts are showcasing their love for latte art.

Competitors craft several types of coffee, then add intricate designs with steamed milk on top of the foam.

Judges closely examine every move the entrants make, with each having 16 minutes to demonstrate their skills.

"We are Iranian baristas who are trying to acquire up-to-date coffee-making skills, and introduce ourselves to the world as baristas. We want the outside world to know us," said participant Mohammad Aghamohammadkhani.

Three judges from Italy's Cafe River are judging the participants.

Barista trainer and judge, Mara Bruni, hopes the festival will pave the way for future events.

"In recent years, lots of cafes have emerged across Tehran, and many people have welcomed doing barista work in an artistic way, so I decided to take part to open new doors to Iranians and pave the way for more professional cooperation," she said.

Recent years have seen a boom in Iran's cafe culture, which has led to an increase in the number of coffee shops across Tehran. These cafes are providing an outlet for young middle-class Iranians who lack public places to meet.

And for today's contest winner, his prize is a trip to Italy, where he can take part in an advanced barista course.

Friends of the competitors cheer as they watch, and hope that similar events will be held in Iran in the future.