# Cup of Excellence

/kʌp əv ˈɛksələns/ (US) · /kʌp əv ˈeksələns/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cup-of-excellence
Updated: 2026-09-20

## Definition

an annual competition and award that identifies the highest quality coffee beans produced in a specific country through a series of strict blind taste tests

For teachers: a prestigious international competition and auction platform established in 1999 to identify, grade, and reward the highest-quality specialty coffees using rigorous sensory evaluation protocols.

## Examples

- This coffee shop sells beans that won the Cup of Excellence award.
- The roastery paid a record price at the auction to secure a small lot of this year's Cup of Excellence winner.
- By achieving a score above 90 points, this micro-lot earned the Cup of Excellence designation, ensuring the farmer receives a significant premium over commodity market prices.

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