Francisco Alejandro Mena Vilchez from Monte Llano Bonito farm in Naranjo, Cirri, Lourdes has set a new record for Costa Rica.
With a score of 93.41, Francisco’s Lote La Ladera farm received the highest score ever presented for a COE Costa Rican coffee.
Every international cupper in the May event scored this winning coffee with more than 90 points.
Teneria Pirro Antonio Gómez from the La Sur farm in Getsemani, San Rafael de Heredia won second place with a score of 91.28. Carlos Fernández Morera from El Cerro farm in San Rafael, San Ramón, Alajuela won third place with a score of 91.03.
In the Guatemala COE competition, the Kalibús la Sierra farm in San Cristobal Acasaguastlán, El Progreso won first place with a score of 92.09.
“My plants are happy. Because of COE I have the chance to reach the international market,” Guatemala’s winning farmer said in a statement.
Los Jutes farm in Acatenango, Chimaltenango won second place with a score of 91.18, and the El Injerto farm in La Libertad, Huehuetenango won third place with a score of 91.06.
Honduras’ top score of 91.70 went to a Geisha variety from the El Puente farm in the Chinacla region of La Paz, produced by Marysabel Caballero Garcia.
Job Neel Cacerez Diaz’s farm El Nacimiento in Santa Barbara won second place with a score of 90.84, and Juan Manuel Hernandez Lopez of Los Cedros farm in Morazan, Yoro won third place with a score of 90.43.
The auction date for Honduras is 16 June, Costa Rica on 21 June, and Guatemala on 30 June.
COE winners which scored more than 90 points will be separated into smaller lots and can be air freighted.
National winning coffees that international juries scored between 84 and 85.99 will be available in a separate online auction platform.
Currently, the COE program takes place in 11 specialty coffee producing countries in East Africa and in Central and South America
COE is the most prestigious competition and award for high quality coffees. Each year, thousands of coffees are submitted for consideration, with winning coffees sold in global online auctions at premium prices, with the vast majority of auction proceeds going to the farmers.
To register for samples and auctions visit www.allianceforcoffeeexcellence.org/en/