Cup of Excellence

The most prestigious coffee competition in the world

For over 25 years, the Cup of Excellence (COE) competition has pioneered integrity and transparency in the coffee industry. The level of scrutiny that COE coffees undergo is unmatched anywhere in the industry. This means that the quality of COE coffees is also unmatched. We give farmers the tools they need to improve the economic model of their farms with recognition and financial reward for their hard work and effort.

2025 Program

 1.  Jury Application       Dec 1 – Mar 1    ☑️
 2.  Producers submit       Mar 1 – Apr 4    ☑️
 3.  Pre-Selection          Apr 15 – Apr 25  ☑️
 4.  National Jury Round    Apr 28 – May 2   ☑️
 5.  International Round    May 5 – 9        ☑️
 6.  Winners Announcement   May 8            ☑️
 7.  COE Auction            Jun 19           ☑️

 1.  Jury Application       Dec 1 – Mar 1    ☑️
 2.  Producers submit       Mar 10 – 21      ☑️
 3.  Pre-Selection          Mar 24 - 28      ☑️
 4.  National Jury Round    May 5 - 9        ☑️
 5.  International Round    May 12 – 16      ☑️
 6.  Winners Announcement   May 15           ☑️
 7.  COE Auction            Jun 24           ☑️

 1.  Jury Application       Dec 1 – Mar 1    ☑️
 2.  Producers submit       Mar 31 – Apr 4   ☑️
 3.  Pre-Selection          Apr 7 – 11       ☑️
 4.  National Jury Round    May 12 – 16      ☑️
 5.  International Round    May 19 – 23      ☑️
 6.  Winners Announcement   May 22           ☑️
 7.  COE Auction            Jul 3            ☑️

 1.  Jury Application       Dec 1 – Mar 1    ☑️
 2.  Producers submit       Apr 15 – 23      ☑️
 3.  Pre-Selection          Apr 29 – May 3   ☑️
 4.  National Jury Round    May 19 – 23      ☑️
 5.  International Round    May 26 – 30      ☑️
 6.  Winners Announcement   May 30           ☑️
 7.  COE Auction            Jul 10 13:00 UTC ⌛

 1.  Jury Application       Dec 1 – Mar 1    ☑️
 2.  Producers submit       Apr 21 – 25      ☑️
 3.  Pre-Selection          May 5 – 9        ☑️
 4.  National Jury Round    May 26 – 30      ☑️
 5.  International Round    Jun 2 – 6        ☑️
 6.  Winners Announcement   Jun 5            ☑️
 7.  COE Auction            Jul 15 13:00 UTC ⌛

1.  Jury Application       Dec 1 – Mar 1    
2.  Producers submit       Mar 1 – Apr 4    
3.  Pre-Selection          May 5 – May 15   
4.  National Jury Round    May 19 – May 23  
5.  International Round    May 26 – 30      
6.  Winners Announcement   May 30           
7.  COE Auction            Jul 24

🥇W

90.93

Santa Rosa

J.Raul Rivera, S.A. De C.V.

Santa Rosa

Founded by Jorge Raul and Jose Roberto Rivera in 1979, Santa Rosa overcame civil war challenges, shifting from pine plantation to Pacamara coffee in 2003. Jorge's passion and teaching elevated Chalatenango's coffee scene, culminating in a posthumous Cup of Excellence victory.

🥇N

90.3

La Pacaya

Mav, S.A. De C.V.

La Pacaya

Finca La Pacaya by MAVCOFFEE grows exotic coffees like Geisha at high altitudes in Apaneca-Ilamatepec. Seeds acquired from Panama in 2013, the farm has won multiple COE awards, including 1st place in 2025 for its natural process Geisha.

🥇X

90.18

Las Duanas

Enrique Mena Gutierrez

Las Duanas

Finca Las Duanas, at 1,910m in Alotepec-Metapán, is a family-run farm by Enrique Mena Gutiérrez focusing on sustainable Pacamara coffee. Overcoming initial challenges, they prioritize biodiversity and quality, winning regional awards and aspiring to export and educate on Salvadoran specialty coffee.

View Full Results

Rank	Farmer	Farm	Variety	Process
1 W&H	J.Raul Rivera, S.A. De C.V.	Santa Rosa	Pacamara	Honey
2 W&H	Henri Milton Morales Umaña	Los Morales	Pacamara	Honey
1 N	Mav, S.A. De C.V.	La Pacaya	Geisha	Natural
2 N	Henri Milton Morales Umaña	Los Morales	Geisha	Natural
1 X	Enrique Mena Gutierrez	Las Duanas	Pacamara	Washed Anaerobico
2 X	Enrique Mena Gutierrez	Las Duanas	Pacamara	Natural Anaerobico

1.  Jury Application       Dec 1 – Mar 1    
2.  Producers submit       Mar 1 – Apr 4    
3.  Pre-Selection          Apr 15 – Apr 25   
4.  National Jury Round    Jun 12 – 15  
5.  International Round    Jun 15 – 20      
6.  Winners Announcement   Jun 19           
7.  COE Auction            Jul 29

🥇

90.80

Discovery Coffee Farm

Chartchai Saetao

Discovery Coffee Farm

Discovery Coffee Farm embodies a new era of passionate coffee production. Owner Chartchai Saetao oversees every step, from variety selection to plot organization. Premium Gesha and Java are grown at 1,400-1,600m under natural methods, yielding clean, origin-true coffee for enthusiasts.

🥈

90.37

Discovery Coffee Farm

Chartchai Saetao

Discovery Coffee Farm

At Discovery Coffee Farm, every production stage is carefully managed by Chartchai Saetao, from variety selection to high-altitude planting at 1,400-1,600m. Grown under natural shade, the focus on basic processing preserves each variety's unique traits and natural flavors.

🥉

89.90

Saenchai Estate

Saenchai Jupo

Saenchai Estate

Saenchai Estate lies in Asia's largest pine forest, enjoying year-round cool climate. Farmer Saenchai Jupo cultivates coffee under mature tree canopies for natural shade, promoting healthy growth and superior bean quality at 1,200-1,450m elevation.

View Full Results

Rank	Farmer	Farm	Variety	Process
1🥇	Chartchai Saetao	Discovery coffee farm	Geisha	Washed
2🥈	Chartchai Saetao	Discovery coffee farm	Geisha	Honey
3🥉	Saenchai Jupo	Saenchai estate	Bourbon	Dry/Natural
4	Sitthinadda Papjavasit	Doi Tung Development Project	Gayo	Fermented Natural Process
5	Wichai Kamnerdmongkhon	Coffee De Hmong Bio Farm	Geisha	Honey
6	Sitthinadda Paphavasit	Doi Tung Development Project	Gayo & Java	Fermented Honey process

1.  Jury Application       Dec 1 – Mar 1    ☑️
2.  Producers submit       Jul 1 - 18       ☑️
3.  Pre-Selection          Jun 30 - Jul 4   ☑️
4.  National Jury Round    Jun 30 - Jul 4   ☑️
5.  International Round    Jul 5 – 11       ☑️
6.  Winners Announcement   Jul 10           ☑️
7.  COE Auction            Aug 28           ☑️

🥇

91,08

七彩琉璃咖啡莊園 Chi Tsai Liu Li Mountain Fresh Café

莊家榮 Chuang, Chia-Jung

七彩琉璃咖啡莊園 Chi Tsai Liu Li Mountain Fresh Café

In Alishan’s misty forests (1,200–1,300 m), Chia-Jung Chuang cultivates Gesha under natural canopy and carefully manages each stage from cultivation to processing. The cool nights and wide day-night swings build sweetness and clarity, while meticulous on-site handling preserves aromatics. The result is a clean, elegant cup that reflects place, craft, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.

🥈

90,84

豆御香藝伎莊園 Royal Bean Geisha Estate

曾福森 Tseng, Fu-Sen

豆御香藝伎莊園 Royal Bean Geisha Estate

Set in Alishan, Royal Bean Geisha Estate specializes in Gesha and fine-tunes quality with a full post-harvest mill. Fu-Sen Tseng oversees selective picking and precise washed processing to highlight floral aromatics and crystalline structure. His rigorous approach delivers repeatable excellence and helped secure multiple top placements at COE Taiwan, showcasing terroir-driven clarity and balance.

🥉

90,53

野牡丹咖啡莊園 Melastoma Coffee Estate

黃保錫 Huang, Bao-Si

野牡丹咖啡莊園 Melastoma Coffee Estate

In Chiayi’s highlands around 1,300 m, long-time tea farmer Bao-Si Huang applies patient, tea-like discipline to Gesha cultivation and honey processing. Shade, cool climate and careful drying concentrate sweetness and florals, yielding a refined cup with depth and poise. Melastoma’s goal is simple: celebrate Alishan’s character through transparent processing and meticulous farm stewardship.

View Full Results

Rank	Farmer	Farm	Variety	Process
1🥇	莊家榮 Chuang, Chia-Jung	七彩琉璃咖啡莊園 Chi Tsai Liu Li Mountain Fresh Café	Gesha	Honey
2a🥈	曾福森 Tseng, Fu-Sen	豆御香藝伎莊園 Royal Bean Geisha Estate	Gesha	Washed
3🥉	黃保錫 Huang, Bao-Si	野牡丹咖啡莊園 Melastoma Coffee Estate	Gesha	Honey
4	林言謙 Lin, Yen-Chien	92向陽台灣咖啡 Sunlit Taiwan Coffee Farm	SL34	Honey
5	葉世遠 Yeh, Shih-Yuan	聯合成青葉咖啡莊園 Ching Ye Coffee Estate	Gesha	Natural
6	方政倫 Fang, Cheng-Lun	鄒築園 Zou Zhou Yuan	Gesha	Washed

 1.  Jury Application       Dec 1 – Aug 31   ☑️
 2.  Producers submit       TBD              ⏳
 3.  Pre-Selection          TBD              ⏳
 4.  National Jury Round    TBD              ⏳
 5.  International Round    Oct 27 - 31      ⏳
 6.  Winners Announcement   Oct 31           ⏳
 7.  COE Auction            Dec 2            ⏳

 1.  Jury Application       Dec 1 – Aug 31   ☑️
 2.  Producers submit       TBD              ⏳
 3.  Pre-Selection          TBD              ⏳
 4.  National Jury Round    TBD              ⏳
 5.  International Round    TBD              ⏳
 6.  Winners Announcement   TBD              ⏳
 7.  COE Auction            Dec 9            ⏳

2024 Program

Category	Score	Farm	Variety	Region	Lot Weight (Kg)
Washed & Honey 🥇	91.93	Sobro E Bonito De Cima - Dbarbosa Coffee	Topázio Yellow	Cerrado Mineiro	240.00
Natural 🥇	92.32	Sítio Santa Luzia	Catucaí Yellow	Mantiqueira de Minas	180.00
Experimental 🥇	93.14	M&F Coffee	Arara	Cerrado Mineiro	180.00

🔗 More info & Full table

Process	Score	Farm	Region	Variety	Lot Weight (Kg)
Washed 🥇	90.54	El Mirador	Cajamarca	Caturra, Bourbon, Geisha	280.00
Washed 🥈	90.21	Campo Verde	Cusco	Geisha, Bourbon	270.00
Washed 🥉	89.86	Flor De La Montaña	Cajamarca	Geisha	280.00

🔗 More info & Full table

Process	Score	Farm	region	Variety	Lot Weight (Kg)
Washed 🥇	92.25	名陽 MINGYANG	Chiayi County	Gesha	46.00
Honey 🥈	91.31	南投縣日曬 SunLit Taiwan Coffee Farm	Nantou County	SL34	45.00
Natural 🥉	90.97	豆周原 Zou Zhou Yuan	Chiayi County	Gesha	47.00

🔗 More info & Full table

Process	Score	Farm	region	Variety	Lot Weight (Kg)
Natural 🥇	90.50	Basha	Sidama	74158	195.00
Natural 🥈	90.13	Mate	Sidama	74158	615.00
Natural 🥉	89.70	Bukto	Sidama	74158	705.00

🔗 More info & Full table

Process	Score	Farm	region	Variety	Lot Weight (Kg)
Honey 🥇	91.80	Coffee De Hmong Bio	Thung Chang	Java	86.60
DryNatural 🥈	91.16	SOFT Coffee	Omkoi	Mixed	90.00
DryNatural 🥉	89.77	Live Specialty	Pai	Bourbon	63.40

🔗 More info & Full table

Category	Score	Farm	Region	Variety	Lot Weight (Kg)
Traditional Washed 🥇	90.79	La Perla	Veracruz	Bourbon	250.00
Natural 🥇	91.13	Las Nieves	Oaxaca	Geisha	181.00
Experimental 🥇	90.66	Pocitos	Veracruz	Geisha	245.00

🔗 More info & Full table

Category	Score	Farm	region	Variety	Lot Weight (Kg)
Exotic Washed 🥇	91.27	La Reforma Y Anexos	Huehuetenango	Geisha	260.00
Natural and Honey 🥇	90.20	Bella Vista	Huehuetenango	Geisha	400.00
One of a Kind 🥇	89.59	Bella Elizabeth	Huehuetenango	Bourbon, Pache, Caturra	408.48

🔗 More info & Full table

Category	Score	Farm	region	Variety	Lot Weight (Kg)
Traditional Washed 🥇	92.04	Santa Teresa	Tarrazu	Geisha	300.00
Natural 🥈	93.62	Don Cayito	Tarrazu	Geisha	330.00
Experimental 🥉	91.19	Finca Voo	Tarrazu	Catuai	225.00

🔗 More info & Full table

Category	Score	Farm	Region	Variety	Lot Weight (Kg)
Washed & Honey 🥇	92.00	La Bendicion	Alotepec-Metapan	Pacamara	625.00
Natural 🥇	91.80	Los Morales	Alotepec-Metapan	Geisha	208.00
Experimental 🥇	91.09	Las Brumas	Apaneca-Ilamatepec	Bourbon 60%	272.00

🔗 More info & Full table

Process	Score	Farm	Region	Variety	Lot Weight (Kg)
Washed 🥇	91.21	La Salsa	Santa Barbara	Geisha	245.45
Washed 🥈	90.86	El Mango	Santa Barbara	SL-28	260.45
Washed 🥉	90.71	Los Pinos	Santa Barbara	Geisha	288.63

🔗 More info & Full table

Process	Score	Farm	Region	Variety	Lot Weight (Kg)
Natural 🥇	91.10	Los Alpes	Nueva Segovia	Geisha	213.00
Natural 🥈	89.85	Los Suyates	Nueva Segovia	Paraneima	240.00
Natural 🥉	89.80	Libre	Nueva Segovia	Geisha	240.00

🔗 More info & Full table

Nicaragua

COE: June 19

Guatemala

COE: July 15
NW: July 14 – 18

Perù

COE: December 02
NW: December 01 – 05

Mexico

COE: June 24
NW: June 23-27

El Salvador

COE: July 24
NW: July 21 – 25

Brazil

COE: December 09
NW: December 08 – 12

Honduras

COE: July 03

Thailand

COE: July 29

NW: July 28 – Aug. 1

Costa Rica

COE: July 08

Taiwan

COE: August 14
NW: August 11 – 15

Alliance for Coffee Excellence

What COE Does For

Coffee Producers

Producing Country Coffee Industry

Training & Education

Sensory Education Training

Sensory Education Training, or SET, is a gateway to COE knowledge gathered over our 20-year history. The Sensory Education events are a fantastic opportunity for students wanting to improve their sensory skills and technical skills. Students will learn to evaluate coffee with greater accuracy, consistency, and confidence, while also building relationships among fellow members of the global coffee community. The SET classes are instructed by official CoE head judges and SET instructors. These instructors bring years of valuable coffee knowledge to share with students. Roasters, retailers, coffee producers, importers, exporters, and enthusiasts are invited to join us for these four-day intensive trainings.

Upcoming SET Courses

Coffee Auctions

The Cup of Excellence winning coffees and the National Winner finalists get sent to the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) for auction. Members of ACE can buy samples of the coffees and bid on them during the online auctions.

Become an ACE Member