The Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Northwest Regional Barista hosted by Dillanos Coffee Roasters, roared into Seattle today for day 1, which gave way to eight competing baristas.

Baristas spoke of intricate processes as well as ingredients that themselves emulsified through speakers into the consciousness of judges and audiences. Metaphors, oh, those glorious comparisons,  showed up to play as the quintessential figure of speech. These are some of the curated sounds, from the day as smdlr heard and live-tweeted. Now, for your audio pleasure, press play.