The Two Types of Coffee Cupping Competitions

Ever heard the term 'coffee cupping competition' and wondered what people are actually doing—or competing over? Whether you're a barista, green coffee buyer, or just curious about how professionals evaluate coffee, it’s easy to get confused between the different kinds of cupping contests. These events aren’t just about sipping and scoring; they serve very different purposes and test very different things.

There are two main types of coffee cupping competitions: 'god bean' contests that judge the quality of coffee beans, and 'god person' (or sensory skill) contests that test the tasters’ ability to detect differences by smell and taste. One scores beans, the other tests people.

What Is a Coffee Cupping Competition, Anyway?

Coffee cupping is a standardized method used by professionals to evaluate the aroma, flavor, and other attributes of coffee. It involves sniffing the dry and wet grounds, then breaking the crust, and slurping the brewed coffee to assess its qualities. This method is governed by rules set by recognized bodies like the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Cup of Excellence (COE).

'God Bean' Competitions: Judging Coffee Quality

The first type—referred to here as 'god bean' competitions—are global cupping contests that evaluate the intrinsic qualities of green coffee beans. The two most prestigious are organized annually by the SCA and COE. In these contests, submitted green coffee samples are roasted to a defined profile by professional roasters, then blind-tasted by a panel of certified cuppers.

Each coffee is prepared as five cups per sample. Cuppers evaluate them based on multiple criteria including dry fragrance, wet aroma, acidity, sweetness, mouthfeel, aftertaste, balance, uniformity, cleanliness, and overall score. Each attribute is scored, and the results are averaged to produce a final score. Coffees that score highly—often above 86 or 87 points—are considered specialty-grade, and top-scoring lots can become highly sought-after, even selling for extraordinary prices at auction. The famous Panamanian Geisha is one such 'god bean' that gained legendary status through high cupping scores.

These competitions are serious, technical, and focus entirely on the coffee itself—not the person tasting it. The goal is to identify exceptional beans through rigorous, repeatable sensory evaluation.

'God Person' Competitions: Testing Human Sensory Skill

The second type of cupping competition, known here as 'god person' contests, flips the script. Instead of evaluating coffee, these events test the taster’s sensory acuity. One of the most common formats is the triangle test, where participants are given three cups—two identical, one different—and must identify the odd one out. These competitions often use eight such sets (24 cups total), and contestants are judged on speed and accuracy.

The international version of this is the World Cup Tasting Championship. A legendary moment happened in 2009 when Ben Bicknell, then quality control manager at Five Senses Coffee in Australia, set a record by correctly identifying all eight different cups in just 1 minute and 29 seconds during the Australian Cupping Championship. This type of contest, also called a triangulation test, is more about human sensory perception, memory, and decision-making under time pressure. It’s part skill, part game, and entirely engaging for audiences.

Unlike the 'god bean' contests, these are more accessible, often used in educational or entertainment settings. The 2013 FHC Shanghai Expo included such a sensory competition.

How the Two Competitions Differ

To sum up:

• 'God Bean' Competitions: Focus on evaluating coffee quality through standardized cupping scores; organized by SCA and COE; beans are blind tasted and rated on multiple attributes; top coffees may become auction stars like Geisha.
• 'God Person' Competitions: Focus on the taster’s ability to distinguish coffees by smell and taste using methods like triangle tests; timed and scored for accuracy; best known through the World Cup Tasting Championship and Ben Bicknell’s 2009 record.

Both are legitimate forms of cupping competitions, but they serve completely different roles in the coffee industry—one celebrates the bean, the other the person.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 'god bean' coffee competition?

A 'god bean' competition evaluates the quality of green coffee beans through professional cupping. Organized by groups like the SCA and COE, these contests involve blind tastings where cuppers score beans on attributes like aroma, flavor, and aftertaste. High-scoring beans, such as Panama Geisha, can gain fame and sell for high prices at auction.

What is a 'god person' coffee competition?

A 'god person' competition tests a person’s ability to identify differences between coffees using taste and smell. The most common format is the triangle test, where participants pick the odd cup out of three. The World Cup Tasting Championship is the main international event, and Ben Bicknell holds a record for completing it in 1 minute 29 seconds in 2009.

How are coffee beans scored in cupping competitions?

In 'god bean' competitions, coffee beans are scored on attributes like dry fragrance, wet aroma, acidity, sweetness, mouthfeel, aftertaste, balance, uniformity, cleanliness, and overall. Each attribute is evaluated, and the scores are averaged to determine the coffee’s final score, typically on a 100-point scale.

What is the triangle test in coffee cupping?

The triangle test is a sensory evaluation method where three cups are presented—two identical, one different. The taster must identify the odd one out. It’s commonly used in 'god person' competitions to test taste discrimination, memory, and speed, often under timed conditions.

Who is Ben Bicknell and why is he famous in coffee cupping?

Ben Bicknell was the quality control manager at Five Senses Coffee in Australia. In 2009, he set a record at the Australian Cupping Championship by correctly identifying all eight different cups in a triangle test in just 1 minute and 29 seconds, earning him recognition as a 'god person' in sensory coffee competitions.

Where can I see these cupping competitions?

'God bean' competitions are held by the SCA and COE, often tied to coffee auctions. 'God person' competitions, like the World Cup Tasting Championship, take place internationally. In 2013, a 'god person' event was also held at the FHC Shanghai Expo.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans Ideal for Cupping

For those interested in exploring high-scoring coffees like those in 'god bean' competitions, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Guji Humbera, known for its jasmine, bergamot, and tropical fruit notes; or their Colombia Huila Popayan, offering blackcurrant, brown sugar, and citrus. Both are single-origin coffees that showcase the complexity professional cuppers evaluate. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.