TCE - Thailand Best Coffee Beans Competition 2024
We were invited to help lead this Thai coffee competition - TCE 2024 “Thailand Best Coffee Beans” to compete for the Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Cup. The beans were judged in four categories - natural, washed, honey, and robusta. The total prize money for all categories is over 700,000 baht. It was an unbelieveable position we found ourselves in.
The competition was open to Thai Coffee Farmers. And they turned up! Check out Thomas’ video welcoming farmers to join the competition. https://youtu.be/SsHpsc3FftQ?si=0wlvFgTvngy6V0MV
Opening ceremony for the competition.
Check out the details and rules of the new contest on the Facebook page: TCE 2024 Thailand Best Coffee Beans, the best Thai coffee contest.
Our partners and gracious hosts at Big Black Box shared the brand new lab at their Dry mill in Nonthanburi as our evaluation headquarters.
After many days roasting and evaluting samples from farmers all over Thailand, we were absolutely delighted by the results. Many farmers from our other project, Q Project Thailand were winners here.
Kluay from Cafe de Hmong took 1st in Washed. Not surprised as the coffees there are Amazing! We've never seen a coffee farm like his.
Ms. Jaree Manop from Krabi took 2nd place in Robusta.
We were brought in to help elevate the competition to a higher standard. Stevyn was the Lead Roaster for the competition and Thomas led the International Judges Panel where Stevyn joined as a Judge. With help from the Head Judge of the National Competition - Werawit Noon of Baristaneer, DP Wu from Torch in China, and Victor Bas from Curve in the Philipines, we had an excellent and diverse team to analyse the coffees submitted.
Steven analyzing roast information.
We evaluated 70 coffees/350 cups tasted and were really so thankful and happy for the quality of coffees.
Stevyn says, “After spending two years regularly tasting Thai coffees, it’s been incredibly satifying and surprising (and also not surprising) the level of quality these farmers are producing. It’s not surprising because we know these Thai farmers have the ability. It’s been really nice that we’ve been able to taste this level of quality.”
The cherry on top was getting a chance to taste and share these coffees at the Thailand Coffee Fest with Big Black Box and the CEO of CQI, Michael Sheridan! Huge thank you to Bolliger and Co for their tireless efforts in organizing all of this!
Michael Sheridan, CEO of CQI tasting the TCE Best Coffee Beans at Big Black Box booth in the Thailand Coffee Fest 2024
Thomas tasting the TCE Best Coffee Beans at Big Black Box booth in the Thailand Coffee Fest 2024.