Traditional Washed & Honey Processes

This category encompasses lots processed through both the washed and honey methods, showcasing the diversity of flavors derived from these distinct techniques.

• Washed: Meticulous washing emphasizes clarity and acidity in the cup
• Honey: Some mucilage is retained, resulting in a sweeter, more complex flavor profile

Traditional Natural Processes

Lots in this category exclusively feature coffees processed through the natural method, where cherries are dried with their fruit intact before being hulled.

• Rich, fruity flavors
• Heavy body characteristic of natural-processed coffees
• Distinct profiles achieved through this traditional technique

Experimental Category

Includes washed, honey, and natural processes that differ from traditional methods and/or have undergone an innovation at some stage of preparing the lot.

• Purpose-driven innovation to develop complex or exotic flavors and aromas
• Produced in a biochemically natural way
• Pushes the boundaries of what's possible in coffee processing

Cup of Excellence International Jury

A panel of experienced professional cuppers from around the world who travel to origin countries to blind-cup and score the top lots selected by the National Jury.

Jurors must:

• Be a skilled cupper adhering to COE protocols
• Be associated with a professional coffee company
• Understand and speak English

Applications are open for the 2026 season across 10 countries.

The Cupping Process

Every COE competition runs 6 rounds of blind cupping across two jury stages. All coffees are scored anonymously — the farmer's identity is never revealed to the judges.

National Jury — Rounds 1 to 3:

• Round 1: All entries cupped — top 150 scoring 86+ advance
• Round 2: Top 90 scoring 86+ advance
• Round 3: Top 40 scoring 86+ pass to the International Jury

International Jury — Rounds 4 to 6:

• Round 4: All 40 coffees scored by 16–24 international judges
• Round 5: Top 30 scoring 87+ awarded Cup of Excellence
• Round 6: Top 10 cupped one final time to determine ranking

Coffees scoring 90+ receive the Presidential Award — the highest recognition in the competition.