The world of coffee has changed: nowadays, a real valorization of its products seems tangible. In producing countries, a true « cofeeologic » awareness has risen. Coffee is no longer a colonial plant sent to Europe or the United States.
It is nowadays a national heritage, locally consumed, taken care of by passionate producers, in a similar way to wine or oil.
As for consumers, and following the impulse of movements such as Barista or under the influence of promotional campaigns of important brands, they are now willing to pay for expensive coffee as long as it brings them full gastronomic pleasure.
With this concept in mind, AVPA (Agence pour la Valorisation des Produits Agricoles) has organized the first edition of the International Contest of Locally Roasted Coffees.
The contest is based on the conviction that coffee should be considered a sort of national heritage, the fruit of a producer’s passion and specific elements of the “terroir”, much like the approach to wine.
The competition got underway in Paris on Monday, May 18th. Over 70 coffee brands from 15 different countries, including Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Vietnam participated in the event.
The awarded coffees were divided into five categories according to their sensory profile.
A professional jury chaired by André Rocher and made up of French-speaking sensorial analysis experts, coffee sector representants, and taste and gastronomy connoisseurs valuated locally roasted coffees from all over the world. The job of selection carried out by the technical committee led to the election of products containing the best intrinsic organic properties.
Coffees from Colombia (in two categories), Cameroon, Gabon and Panama won the first prize (Gourmet d’Or) in the five categories.
The awards ceremony took place in Paris Le Marais district. On June 13 and 14, the awarded coffees were tasted at Place Baudoyer.
A list of the winning coffees can be found here (PDF file in French).
The Agency for the Valorization of Agricultural Products, AVPA, is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, essentially composed of producers and taste enthusiasts.
The association’s objective is to contribute to enhancing the value of agricultural products and to recognize the excellence of some producers, too often forgotten in the midst of the requirements of mass marketing.
