PORTLAND, OR – The first place winning coffee of the recent Brazil Naturals Cup of Excellence (COE) competition set a new record high in a Naturals COE competition with a 95.18 score.
Grown on a five hectare farm located in Cristina, Mantiqueria de Minas, by brothers Antônio and Sebastian Marcio da Silva, this coffee – prized for its tropical fruit flavors and champagne acidity – validated Brazil’s innovations in quality in the competition’s fourth contest for Brazil’s best Natural Processed coffee.
This was not the only record set in last week’s competition in Araxá, Brazil. This Brazil Naturals COE competition also set a historic average high of 88.26 points for the 23 winners, which included four 90-point or higher “Presidential Awards.”
The International Jury, representing 11 countries, found flavor profiles such as mango, sweet tobacco, and apple pie; the finishes were sweet and clean. Despite the drought that occurred this year, the Jury’s findings of quality confirmed Brazil’s resilience in producing high scoring coffees.
“The drought means lower yields and smaller bean sizes in general, but also a shortened drying time on Natural Processed coffees,” says the Brazil Naturals Head Judge, Chris Wade.
“With this shorter time we noticed that many of the coffees had exceptional acidity with great clarity. This is probably due to the coffee drying faster and preserving much of the acids within the coffee. What we found on the tables was absolutely stunning.
Many of the coffees were so unique that every time they came to the table they blew everyone away with their flavors and clarity.”
Sample sets of winners are being packed and shipped to Alliance for Coffee Excellence members around the world to roast, cup, and select favorites to bid on when the coffees are auctioned online on March 4.
About Alliance for Coffee Excellence, Inc. & Cup of Excellence
The Alliance for Coffee Excellence is a U.S.-based nonprofit global membership organization that advances excellence in coffee through its flagship Cup of Excellence competition and auction, cutting edge training, and quality research.
Cup of Excellence, held in 10 countries, is the most stringent selection process for exemplary coffee and its effect on the specialty coffee industry is unmatched. For more information about how to get involved, visit AllianceForCoffeeExcellence.org.
