The Cup of Excellence (CoE), known for its green bean auctions around the world, marks its 20th anniversary in October with a celebration and competition in Larvas, Brazil, the site of the original event.
The Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE), the international organization that stages the CoE competitions and auctions, plans to bring back many of event founders and judges from the original 1999 jury for the Oct. 15 event, according to a January announcement.
“Since our first year we have raised $60,385,449 in auction revenue,” ACE said in a statement. “We have held more than 140 auctions in more than 12 countries. In Brazil in 1999, the top price paid for the winning lot was $1.72 a pound. In 2018 our highest price paid was in Costa Rica for $300.09 a pound.”
Through CoE, ACE continues to pioneer direct trade relationships and have paved the way for sustainable coffee prices for two decades, the organization said.
ACE, based in Portland, Ore., is a non-profit global membership organization dedicated to advancing excellence in coffee. Cup of Excellence has affected thousands of farmers. Its focus on quality discovery, farmer premiums, and transparency has changed the specialty coffee industry, ACE said.
Learn more: allianceforcoffeeexcellence.org