The specialty coffee industry is evolving rapidly. As the global demand for high-quality coffee continues to rise, coffee competitions remain a constant force in shaping the future of the industry. These events not only provide a stage for the best coffees but also reflect the direction specialty coffee is heading, with themes like sustainability, traceability, and technology becoming more prominent.

But what makes a coffee worthy of the Competition category? What distinguishes the best coffees that win prizes worldwide from 'ordinary specialty coffee'? Let’s explore these questions.

What makes a coffee a Competition Coffee?

Competition coffees are typically rated 88+ or higher, reflecting their exceptional flavor complexity. These coffees are carefully chosen for their distinctive flavors and are often produced using advanced processing techniques. The processing plays a critical role in achieving the high quality competition coffees are known for, with innovative methods like controlled fermentation significantly influencing flavor.

Jack Simpson, 1st runner-up at the 2024 Barista Championship, shares his perspective: "For me, a competition coffee is one that’s expressive, easy to describe, and unique. Above all, it’s a coffee that you genuinely enjoy and feel proud to represent."

Jack Simpson competed with Jhonatan Gasca’s Pacamara—a coffee that exemplifies these principles. [Click here] to read more about Jack’s competition coffee and the producer, Jhonatan Gasca!

Diego Vergara, a competition coffee producer from Finca Las Flores, emphasizes the importance of choosing the right variety: “First and foremost, you need to choose a variety with characteristics that can be enhanced through fermentation. Competition coffees should have great sweetness, balance, and structure, but the flavors need to be very clear.”

Selecting coffees for different types of competitions

It’s important to understand the nuances between different types of events, like Barista Competitions and Brewers Cup Competitions. Jack Simpson notes that selecting coffee for Barista Competitions is about finding the right balance between sweetness, acidity, and bitterness. If the acidity in particular is too high, it can elevate in an espresso shot to a point where it can become negative to judges.

In Brewers Competitions, clarity, brightness, and the purity of the coffee's profile are more important. In this case, higher acidity and overpowering flavours could be highlighted with precise brewing extraction techniques.

The Essence of a Competition-Worthy Coffee

Ultimately, what makes a coffee worthy of the competition category is a combination of exceptional flavor complexity, innovative processing, and a commitment to excellence. Competition coffees are not just about being good; they are about being exceptional. Every variable needs to be measured and controlled, from the choice of variety through each stage of processing, fermentation, drying, selection, packing on to brewing and preparation techniques.

Competition coffees set themselves apart from ordinary specialty coffee through the pursuit of perfection. They push the boundaries of what’s possible, continually refining and innovating to create unique, memorable cups that captivate judges and enthusiasts alike.

In upcoming articles, we'll delve deeper in explaining about producing a competition coffee—how every step, from harvesting to processing plays a crucial role in contributing to the search for that perfect cup. 

Are you competing and looking for the perfect competition coffee? Visit our website today and order your samples.