Masters coffee competition

The Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition is recognized as the premier cupping for selecting the finest Kona coffee in the state. This world wide competition makes its appearance Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the Keauhou Beach Resort.

Over 60 Kona coffee farmers enter their finest work for this competitive judging beginning with the preliminary round on Wednesday, November 11. Each Kona coffee farm submits a 75-pound parchment sample from which five pounds are actually entered. Every entry must conform to a very simple rule: each coffee bean in the sample must have been grown on the entrant’s farm, and the farm must have some commercial tie to the Kona coffee industry. All submitted coffee beans undergo identical milling to ensure the same consistency. Since 2001, Mountain Thunder has served as the official master miller.

The coffee samples, both green and roasted, are placed on a rectangular table for the judges to independently evaluate. Scores are based on four positive attributes—fragrance and aroma, taste, acidity and body—and three negative attributes—freshness, off flavors and defects. The best Kona coffees receive scores in the mid-range of a five-point system.

The top 15 Kona coffee entries advance from the first day’s preliminary round. The competition heats up on the second day, when the Kona coffee farm producing the winning gourmet flavor is revealed.

To learn more click here http://www.konacupping.com/ (opens a new window).