Nov 25

Written by:
25/11/2011 2:04 PM 

The Cup of Excellence is the highest award you can receive for coffee. These awards come from a strict competition that selects only the absolute best coffee produced in a country for that year.  These winning coffees are chosen by a select group of national and international cuppers and are cupped a minimum of 5 different times throughout the duration of the competition. Only coffees that consistently score high enough are allowed to proceed in the competition. The final winners are awarded the prestigious Cup of Excellence and are sold to the highest bidder during an internet auction.

What makes the coffee so special?

Coffees of this exemplary quality are very rare.  The coffees have to be perfectly ripe and carefully picked with a well developed body, pleasant aroma and a lively sweetness that only extremely high quality specialty coffees contain. Each winning coffee has its own unique flavor signature from the earth where it is grown and they are all handcrafted in such a way to enhance these natural characteristics.

How many coffees are awarded the Cup of Excellence?

The number of recipients depends entirely on the quality of the entrants. The requirements are so strict, that very few coffees from a country are honoured in this way.

Who buys the winning coffees?

Coffee connoisseurs worldwide with a discerning palate who appreciate the complex flavour and aromatics found in a world class coffee purchase these winners. Roasters who buy these beans care about providing the highest quality to their customers in addition to creating a direct relationship with the winning farmer. The winning coffees are sold at an internet auction to the highest bidder about 5 weeks after the competition winners are announced and samples have been sent out.

How important is this award to a coffee farmer?

Winning farmers are thrilled to be recognized for their dedication to quality. Not only is the winning farmer given a prestigious award during a national ceremony but the majority of the record prices at auction go back to the farmers who need and deserve it. In addition to this, the farmer is now recognized in the industry as being a top quality producer. A winning farm (and often the whole region) can expect to receive future visits from roasters looking to purchase more quality coffee for their companies. The positive impact on the quality of life for a winning farmer and his family is permanent as the auction money will often be spent on farm improvements of family education which can change their economic livelihood for the long term, even if they do not win every year.

We have two different coffees arriving soon from El Salvador, which have both been recognised by the Excellence Award. They will be available online here from December 1.

Check back soon to hear more about the Cup of Excellence Award, to learn about its history, and the great effect it has on the coffee industry today.