Coffee Glossary · Trade
Cup of Excellence (CoE)
The most prestigious origin-country coffee competition: national juries winnow hundreds of farm entries through repeated blind cuppings, an international jury scores finalists, and winning lots (86+ points) sell at global internet auction — historically at price records that reshaped producer economics. Founded in Brazil in 1999, CoE now runs across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. For buyers it is a scouting map of a country's best farms; for producers, a life-changing price event and reputation stamp.
Related terms
Micro-lot
A small, separately processed and traded parcel of coffee — a single farm's best day-lots, one variety from…
SCA Score (Specialty Grade)
The 100-point cupping score under Specialty Coffee Association protocol, summing graded attributes; 80 points…
Cupping
Coffee's standardized tasting protocol: coarse-ground samples steeped in bowls under strict ratios and…
Bill of Lading (B/L)
The ocean shipment's master document, issued by the carrier: simultaneously a receipt for the cargo, evidence…
Cash Against Documents (CAD)
A documentary collection payment method lighter than a letter of credit: the exporter ships, then routes the…
Crop Year / Fresh Crop / Past Crop
Coffee's vintage system: each origin's harvest defines its crop year (Laos: roughly October–September), and…
Reading up before buying? Volcana Coffee exports SGS-inspected specialty Arabica and Fine Robusta from the Bolaven Plateau, Laos — and we're happy to walk new importers through every term on a real offer sheet.
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