Rwanda to host 2nd Coffee Cup of Excellence

This year the country is set to host the prestigious ‘2010 Cup of Excellence competition’ (CoE) which includes a celebration of the 2nd Coffee Cup of Excellence competition in Africa, the Business Times has learnt. The event will bring together all countries that would like to participate and those that participated in the first competition and the auction phase in 2008. According to a statement sent to Business Times, the high profiled event which will take place this August, will remain focused on strengthening and defining quality parameters within each of the participating countries. “With the ongoing commitment to exemplary quality, the country is welcoming experienced cuppers to join the competition juries in an exciting search and discovery of some of the world¹s best coffees,” the statements reads. The awards come from a strict competition that selects the very best coffee produced in that country for that particular year. These winning coffees are chosen by a select group of national and international cuppers and are cupped at least five different times during the competition process. The statement also states that the winning coffees are chosen by a select group of national and international cuppers and are cupped at least five different times during the competition process. Only coffees that continuously score high enough are allowed to move forward in the competition. “The final winners are awarded the prestigious Cup of Excellence and sold to the highest bidder during an internet auction,” the statement reads. The country hosted the first ‘Cup of Excellence’ in 2008 were Coffee farmers in the country were boosted for outstanding quality production. The event which brought together various coffee growers from all over the world, 125 coffees were involved, only 50 remained for the national jury level until 24 samples qualified for the Cup of Excellence level. Multisector Investment Group Ltd (MIG) and FAKCO - Rulindo took first and second places respectively. Cup of Excellence was started by a group of dedicated coffee connoisseurs who along with international governmental support and NGOs thought that a competition and auction was an effective way to recognize farmers monetarily for their hard work and effort. The number of coffees given this prestigious award depends entirely on the quality of the entrants. The requirements are so strict that very few coffees from a country are honoured in this way. The buyers of these coffees are the coffee connoisseurs worldwide with discerning palates who appreciate the complex flavour and aromatics found in a world class coffee buy and savour these winners. This award is important to the coffee farmer because the winning farmers are exhilarated to be acknowledged for their dedication to quality. Not only is the farmer given a prestigious award during a national ceremony but the majority of the record prices at auction go back to the producers who deserve and need it. Cup of Excellence builds international relationships in many forms. It creates a situation where cooperation is the key to success, where appreciation is the mantra and where friendships and lasting partnerships are built. Ends

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Rwanda to host 2nd Coffee Cup of Excellence