Cup of Excellence (CoE) 2025 has announced its winners in Brazil after a week of evaluations across three categories: Experimental – recognising coffees with controlled fermentation, Natural – assessing sun-dried and naturally processed coffee, and Wet process – evaluating pulped, de-mucilaged, and hulled coffees.
A Geisha by Ipanema Agrícola S/A from Fazenda Rio Verde was the winner of the Experimental category with 91.68 points, while an Arara by Paulo Fernandes Chaves de Brito from Fazenda Araçu emerged on top of the Natural field with a score of 90.79.
Finally, another Arara – this time from Marcelo Assis Nogueira from Fazenda Água Limpa won the Wet field with a score of 91.37.
Head Judge from the UK, John Thompson, says he is impressed by the evolution of coffee in Brazil since he last judged the competition.
“The last time I was here was in 2015, and the specialty coffees are completely different from what I experienced then,” says John.
“The competition is unique and very challenging, especially with three distinct categories in Brazil. Some of the country’s varieties cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
“It’s also remarkable to see women coffee producers being highlighted – it sends an important message to the entire community.”
As part of the evaluations, Luiz Paulo Dias Pereira Filho became the first Brazilian producer elected as a “Legend of Excellence”. He is a 23-time CoE winner.
“I want to thank everyone. This is a 25-year journey with many people alongside me, especially my wife who has supported me through more than 200 days per year away from home,” says Luiz.
“My business partner, my family, and the entire BSCA team has supported me since I started in 2000 at the age of 20.
“This trophy may be coming home with me, but it belongs to Brazil. It shows our country’s potential. Being among six global legends, the trophy is ours.”
Executive Director of the BSCA (Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association) Vinicius Estrela praised Luiz and his efforts in coffee producing over his journey.
“The true star of the Cup of Excellence is the Brazilian producer, who projects the origin of Brazil and expands the image of specialty coffee of exceptional quality, increasingly aligned with sustainability, diversity, stories, new sensory profiles, and varieties developed through research,” says Vinicius.
“This combination continues to elevate Brazilian specialty coffee at global cupping tables.”
The winning specialty coffees will be showcased to roasters and importers worldwide from 8 to 18 December, with the Excellence Arabica auction taking place on 9 December.
Cup of Excellence Brazil winners
Experimental
| Place | Name | Farm | Variety | Points | City |
| First | Ipanema Agrícola S/A | Fazenda Rio Verde | Geisha | 91,68 | Conceição do Rio Verde -MG |
| Second | José Carlos dos Reis | Fazenda Riacho Grande | Arara | 91,11 | Três Pontas – MG |
| Thrid
|
Sebastião Daniel da Silva | Sítio São Sebastião | Arara | 90,29 | Cristina -MG |
Natural
| Place | Name | Farm | Variety | Points | City |
| First | Paulo Fernandes Chaves de Brito | Fazenda Araçu | Arara | 90,79 | Três Pontas – MG |
| Second | Danilo Barbosa | Fazenda Sucuri | Geisha | 90,32 | Coromandel – MG |
| Thrid
|
Gustavo Andrade Alvarenga | Fazenda Chapadão | Para[iso | 90,11 | Pratinha – MG |
Wet
| Place | Name | Farm | Variety | Points | City |
| First | Marcelo Assis Nogueira | Fazenda Água Limpa | Arara | 91,37 | Campos Altos – MG |
| Second | Marcelo Carvalho Ferraz | Fazenda Boa Vista | Catucai | 90,82 | Dom Viçoso – MG |
| Thrid
|
Osvaldina Alves Dutra | Fazenda Água Limpa | Kent | 90,50 | São João do Munhaçu – MG |
