A competition that recognizes national coffee excellence
The Asociación de Cafés Finos de Costa Rica (SCACR) has opened the call for entries for the Cup of Excellence Costa Rica 2026, a national competition aimed at identifying and rewarding the highest-quality Costa Rican coffees. This event is part of an international initiative that highlights exceptional coffees representing the talent, tradition, and potential of the country’s coffee sector.
The competition is open to coffee growers and microlot producers who wish to compete for this prestigious recognition, which not only rewards quality but also boosts the international visibility of Costa Rican coffee and creates new market opportunities for small and medium producers.
How the competition works
The process begins with the submission of coffee samples by participating producers. A qualified jury then conducts several rounds of cupping and sensory evaluation to identify coffees that stand out for flavor profile, aroma, balance, and overall cup quality.
Only coffees that meet the strict standards established by the judges advance to the final stages, where the top-scoring lots are selected to participate in international online auctions, where buyers from around the world compete to acquire these exceptional coffees.
Importance for Costa Rica’s coffee sector
Participating in this competition has several positive impacts for the sector:
• International recognition and prestige for producers and coffee regions
• Access to global specialty markets through premium auctions and sales
• Incentives to apply best agricultural and post-harvest practices
• Visibility for emerging producers and microlots in a competitive market
Costa Rica, known for its tradition of producing high-quality Arabica coffee, continues to strengthen its reputation as a benchmark in the specialty coffee industry through initiatives like this one.
Official and reference sources
• La República — Announcement of the Cup of Excellence Costa Rica 2026 call for entries
• Cup of Excellence — International context, evaluation format, and auction system
• Asociación de Cafés Finos de Costa Rica — Institutional information about the competition and participation process
