Three Best of Project Origin auction dates have been confirmed for 2017.
From 24 – 30 April 2017, an international jury will conduct the Best of El Salvador cupping. On Saturday 29 April the online auction will run via the Cropster Hub, followed by a visit to the winning farm on 30 April.
For the first time Nicaragua will join the Best of Project Origin auctions, which will take place at a local Nicaraguan coffee school. The international jury cupping will take place from 5 – 9 June, and online auction on Saturday 10 June.
“This school started only five years ago with the idea to educate students about farming, roasting, cupping, and serving coffees. This will give better infrastructure to young generations and increase the value of their coffees long-term,” says Project Origin Founder Sasa Sestic. “I am really excited that we can collaborate with the coffee school.”
The Best of Honduras Late Harvest will follow with its cupping 3 – 9 July, and online auction on Saturday 8 July.
Sasa of Ona Coffee unveiled the new auction program for El Salvador and Honduras in 2016 to help develop coffee growing communities and advance quality coffee globally.
This year’s inaugural event was held in El Salvador in May, which saw Ever Leonel Díaz Pérez from the Milaydi farm in the Chalatenango region win the Washed Category with a score of 88.75. The top bidder for this coffee at US$10.30 per pound was Sydney Coffee Company, who outbid 19 other contenders for the washed-processed Pacamara varietal, paying a total value of US$12,535.10.
Raúl Rivera from the Santa Rosa farm in the Chalatenango region won the Honey/Natural Category winner, with a score of 88.25, which Project Origin secured for US$9.10 per pound.
In Honduras, José Abel Girón Dubón of Finca Las Botijas in the Comoyagua region won the country’s first Best of Honduras Late Harvest Auction with an average of 91.7 points across a panel of 12 international judges. This coffee received an incredible 69 bids. Honey Coffee in Japan was the winning bidder, buying the Las Botijas coffee for US$20 per pound.
To conduct the Best of Project Origin auctions, a national jury first puts the coffee entries through a pre-selection process and shortlists the coffees scoring above 85 points. The international jury then cups the lots and selects the top eight coffees in the Washed Category and Honey/Natural Category.
Coffees that do not make the finals can still be purchased. After the auctions Project Origin will assist with shipping coffees to the final destinations.
The auction invites experienced cuppers, previous judges of international competitions, roasters, and new cuppers to get involved. It is an opportunity to expand production knowledge and form direct trade relationships.
To join the judging panel or obtain samples of the coffees that make the International Judging round please email habib@onacoffee.com.au
For further information visit projectorigin.com.au or contact info@projectorigin.com.au
Images: Project Origin El Salvador auction
