About
The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award
The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award is a recognition that illycaffè gives to the best coffees in the world; chosen among those grown in the regions that contribute to illy’s unique blend.
After 30 years working side-by-side with Brazilian farmers and in view of the excellent results that have been achieved with the Premio Ernesto Illy de qualidade sustentavel do cafè para espresso since 1991, the company decided in 2016 to extend the award to all the growers with whom it work all over the world.
The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award was born. This year for its 6th edition it will once again recognize the top-quality growers, who sustainably produce the best beans in coffee paradises across the world.
Every year, the illy quality Lab in Trieste, identifies 3 different coffee lots representing the best coffees from 9 Countries.
The 27 crops from the 9 countries are then evaluated through a double system.
An external Jury comprised of coffee experts, international chefs and food & wine critics choose the “Best of the Best” coffee lot, among the 9 finalists of the total 27 coffee lots selected from the 9 countries. A consumer jury, composed of customers who blind-taste-test all 27 lots in illy shops and caffès around the world, select the winner of the “Coffee Lovers’ Choice” award.
The award is a tribute to Ernesto Illy, illycaffè’s late, visionary leader, who deeply believed in scientific research as an unimpeachable source of truth, making advances in human development possible and promoting adherence to the highest ethical standards. His passion for science along with his love for the industry gave Dr. Illy the power to sustain and grow a “coffee culture” that remains at the very heart of the illy brand DNA today.
Past editions
Best of the Best: Ahmed Legesse from Ethiopia
Special mention to Honduras
No Coffee Lovers’ Choice the first year
Best of the Best: José Abelardo Díaz Enamorado from Honduras
Coffee Lovers’ Choice: Juan Carlos Alvarez from Costa Rica
Best of the Best: Ngororero Coffee Washing Station from Rwanda, represented by Ms. Philotée Muzika
Coffee Lovers’ Choice: Ngororero Coffee Washing Station from Rwanda, represented by Ms. Philotée Muzika
Best of the Best: Spirit of Peace ExCombatants’ – Asacafè from Colombia, represented by Carlos Arturo López Guarnizo and Oscar Rodrigo Campo Hurtado
Coffee Lovers’ Choice: Ngamba Coffee Washing Station from Rwanda, represented by Ms. Celine Niwemugeni
Best of the Best: Cooperativa Cocabel from Honduras
Coffee Lovers’ Choice: Cooperativa Cocabel from Honduras