When you sip a Cup of Excellence-winning coffee, you’re enjoying one of the finest coffees in the world. But have you ever wondered what makes it so special? The answer lies in an extraordinary journey of rigorous evaluation and recognition—one that involves tasting 8,720 cups to find just one extraordinary coffee. That’s the level of care, expertise, and passion that goes into ensuring only the best beans make it to your cup.
1. The Farmers: The Heart of Excellence
Every great coffee begins with dedicated farmers. These producers submit their coffees for consideration, hoping their hard work and meticulous care will shine through. From the moment they submit their samples, anticipation builds as their beans face a series of exacting tests.
2. Pre-Selection Round: Narrowing the Field
The journey starts with a massive pool of coffees—150 in total for each country, generating 1,800 individual cups for tasting.
- Round 1: Each sample is cupped once by the National Jury. Only coffees scoring 86 points or higher advance to the next stage, leaving a maximum of 150 in contention.
3. National Jury Rounds: The Best of the Best
The competition intensifies as the National Jury continues to evaluate and taste:
- Round 2: The top 90 coffees are chosen, each meeting the cut-off score of 86 or higher.
- Round 3: This is where excellence is defined. Out of 90 coffees, only the top 40 advance. By this point, the coffees have been assessed and reassessed to ensure only the finest remain in the competition.
With each round, jurors meticulously examine the aroma, flavor, acidity, and body of every coffee, seeking perfection. The competition is no longer just about meeting a high score, but demonstrating the extraordinary qualities that make a coffee truly unforgettable
4. International Jury: A Global Stamp of Approval
Here’s where it gets even more prestigious. Coffees that pass the national rounds are evaluated by the International Jury, made up of top cuppers and coffee experts from around the world. The process includes:
- Rounds 4 & 5: The top 30 coffees scoring 87 or higher are designated Cup of Excellence winners, while those scoring slightly lower become National Winners.
5. International Jury Round 6: The Final Test
The competition culminates in Round 6, where the top 10 coffees receive their final evaluation. At this stage, every detail matters—judges are looking for the coffee’s unique character, complexity, and balance. Each sample is cupped with extra care, and the jurors deliberate over how well the coffee’s flavor profile represents its origin.
This round determines the final rankings of the top 10 coffees, deciding which will take the top honors. The process is as meticulous as it is celebratory, showcasing the unparalleled skill of both the farmers and the judges. These rankings not only celebrate the coffee's excellence but also set the stage for its journey to roasters and coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
6. Recognition & Rewards: A Celebration of Excellence
When the final scores are announced, it’s a moment of pride and celebration for the producers. Winning a Cup of Excellence award is more than just a recognition of quality—it’s a life-changing milestone. This honor brings global attention to the winning farmers, opening up new opportunities to share their coffee with the world.
Producers also receive financial rewards as their coffees head to the International Auction, where roasters and importers bid fiercely for the chance to own and roast these exceptional beans. This auction not only ensures fair compensation for the farmers but also elevates their reputation in the specialty coffee community. For many producers, this recognition translates into better futures for their farms, families, and communities.
7. From Farm to Cup: Your Coffee Experience
Finally, these extraordinary coffees make their way into the hands of roasters who carefully preserve their unique qualities, ensuring that every sip you take reflects the dedication and hard work behind it. For the coffee lover, enjoying a Cup of Excellence-winning coffee is like tasting the pinnacle of what coffee can be—a cup that tells the story of its origin, the passion of its farmers, and the meticulous evaluation process it endured.
It’s a reminder that behind every exceptional cup is a journey defined by skill, artistry, and connection. Whether you’re savoring fruity Ethiopian notes or a balanced and nutty coffee from Mexico, you’re enjoying a masterpiece crafted through months, even years, of effort.
Angelino’s and the Best of the Best in 2024
At Angelino’s Coffee, we’ve always been passionate about celebrating exceptional coffee and the farmers who make it possible. That’s why 2024 has been such an exciting year for us—we proudly acquired 12 of the #1 Cup of Excellence-winning coffees from across the globe. These extraordinary coffees, each crowned the best from their respective countries, embody everything we love about specialty coffee: remarkable quality, unique flavor profiles, and the incredible stories behind each bean.
As you read above, winning a Cup of Excellence is no small feat. For a coffee to stand out among thousands of entries and earn the top spot, it must embody perfection at every level—from the care taken by the farmers to the cup in your hand. To bring these coffees to you is an honor we don’t take lightly, and we can’t wait to share them with our customers.
By offering these award-winning coffees, we’re not just delivering world-class coffee—we’re connecting you to the people and places that make these coffees so special. With every sip, you’re experiencing the passion, artistry, and dedication of the farmers who made it possible, all from the comfort of your home.
This collection represents the very best of what the coffee world has to offer, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to invite you to taste it for yourself.
