Mexico’s Cup of Excellence Showcases Best Specialty Coffees

The 12th edition of Mexico Cup of Excellence 2025 positioned itself as the country’s top platform for promoting specialty coffee, drawing national and international attention to the quality and diversity of Mexican beans. Held on May 5-16 in Orizaba, Veracruz, the competition brought together 95 semifinalist samples from eight Mexican states.

Organized by the National Association of the Coffee Industry (ANICAFÉ) in collaboration with the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE), the event featured a national and international jury led by Sylvia Gutierrez, Director, Mexican Association of Specialty Coffee and Coffee Shops, and Scott Conary, Head Judge, Alliance for Coffee Excellence. Forty professional tasters from countries such as the United States, China, Japan, Bulgaria, and the United Kingdom participated in the evaluation process, reports La Jornada.

The competition included three main processing categories: Traditional Washed, Honey & Natural, and Experimental, reports Sol de Orizaba. It served as a key meeting point for producers, international buyers, roasters, and industry stakeholders, with nearly 400 attendees present at the awards ceremony. The event also highlighted the growing presence of women in the sector, recognizing the contributions of female coffee producers and further strengthening Orizaba’s position as a center for national and international events tied to cultural and economic development.

Nescafé was a key sponsor of the event, reinforcing its commitment to Mexican coffee producers through its Plan Nescafé initiative. The program has supported sustainable production and sourcing for over a decade. “The cup of excellence represents a unique showcase to highlight the quality of Mexican coffee and the talent of our producers,” says Javier León, Director of Corporate Affairs and Shared Value Creation, Nestlé México.