COE to expand its training opportunities for 2024
Image: Cup of Excellence (COE)
Cup of Excellence (COE) is a non-profit organisation that has been discovering producers of specialty coffee and rewarding them through its international online auction for over 20 years.
In 2024, COE is expanding its training and education opportunities for professionals with the introduction of the Origin Immersion programme. COE founder, Susie Spindler said “The Cup of Excellence organisation has always been in a unique position to go one step beyond traditional cupping training and offer an in-depth understanding of the wide diversity of coffees, the culture and the farmers in our partner countries. I am excited for these classes to spark the curiosity, appreciation and relationship building that is the hallmark of its mission.”
El Salvador has been selected as the premier country to be featured in this new immersion programme with the first programme kicking off in February 2024. By holding this course at origin, participants will be immersed in the traditions of the country while they delve deep into the coffee industry.
El Salvador has been a featured country of the Cup of Excellence programme since 2003 when the first COE competition was held there. Carolina Padilla, president of the Salvadoran Coffee Institute says of this opportunity, “The Salvadoran Coffee Institute is excited to see Cup of Excellence bringing back coffee buyers to origin. This initiative allows buyers to come closer to coffee producers, so they can learn closely about all the efforts and dedication they put into their coffee production. We are proud to showcase Salvadoran coffee culture, heritage and varietals such as Pacamara. We will highlight our traditional varietals so that coffee roasters can develop a deeper understanding on how to roast and appreciate them so they can share with their customers worldwide.”
The El Salvador Immersion programme will be led by COE head judge Luis Rodriguez. Luis’ history in coffee began in 2001 when he served as the head of the Economics Department for the Salvadoran Coffee Council. Since then he has become a coffee producer, Q Grader, lecturer and instructor, as well as a coffee producer. He has been actively involved with the COE programme since 2003, assisting to coordinate the competition in El Salvador, acting as a head judge, and has been a participant in the COE competition as a winning producer. When asked about the Immersion programme, Luis said, “I’m thrilled to have the chance to participate as a trainer in this ACE/COE immersion programme in my home country. We will make sure attendees gain knowledge of the remarkable features of El Salvador with hands-on and customised training while hosting an integral and exciting origin experience. Attendees will discover why El Salvador has evolved from being a hidden jewel to being considered a specialty coffee powerhouse due mostly to our versatility and vanguardist growers.”
For more information visit: cupofexcellence.org.
