“On the other hand, the competition model is precious and essential. One could argue that it is responsible for creating many of the relationships and expectations that led to the creation of direct trade programs in the first place. It discovers coffees from small producers that would never find recognition and exposure otherwise, and assures these producers attention from buyers for years after their initial success. The anonymity of the jury process may perhaps diminish the injection of individual taste and personality into the coffee selection process, but it also creates an invaluable level playing field for producers and helps build a global community around quality and distinction…”
…”Implied controversy aside, we did turn up some impressive competition-winning coffees, eight of which are reviewed here, among them one clearly exceptional sample, the 94-rated Café Grumpy Honduras Fernandez Farm.”
 
Read the full article by Kenneth Davids in Coffee Review here.