Coffee News From El Salvador

Starting Today, International Experts Judge Country's Best Green Beans During 2nd Annual Cup of Excellence ® Competition

Winning Coffees Will Be Selected May 14 and Then Offered for Sale to International Bidders During June 22 Internet Auction

(CSRwire) U.S. - Today in San Salvador, 20 internationally recognized coffee experts begin their weeklong sampling of 153 different Arabica coffees that were submitted by Salvadoran growers who are competing in El Salvador's second annual Cup of Excellence® countrywide coffee quality event. Based on qualities such as aroma, flavor, balance and absence of defects, each coffee will be assigned a point score of up to 100.

For El Salvador's 2004 Cup® event, a total of 403 Arabica samples were submitted by coffee growers from around the country by the April 2 deadline. From April 12-16, a jury of 14 national coffee experts tasted (or "cupped") the coffees and selected 153 of the nation's finest green beans to advance to this second stage of the competition. Following this week's "cuppings," on Friday, May 14 the 20 member international jury will select the "best of the best" green beans to receive the coveted "Cup of Excellence®" award. These winning coffees will be offered for sale to international roasters during a special Internet auction on June 22.

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