Top 10 Specialty Coffee Origins Ranked by SCAA 2012

When coffee enthusiasts ask which countries grow the best specialty beans, they’re often looking for hard data—not marketing. The 2012 SCAA Coffee of the Year (COTY) competition tested 250 coffees from 26 countries, judged blindly on dry fragrance, wet aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body, and balance. Here’s the definitive ranking of the top 10 winning coffees, with exact scores and origins.

The top 10 coffees in the 2011/12 SCAA COTY competition scored between 88.41 and 86.41. Ethiopia and Colombia each had multiple entries, with Geisha varieties from Colombia taking high rankings alongside Ethiopian heirloom coffees.

The 2011/12 SCAA COTY Top 10 Coffees

The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and its Roasters Guild held the annual COTY (Coffee of the Year) competition in 2012, evaluating 250 single-origin green coffees from 26 countries. Judges assessed each coffee blindly across six criteria: dry fragrance, wet aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, and body. The top 10 scoring coffees were named the best of the 2011/12 harvest.

1. Oromia Cooperative (Ethiopia) – 88.41

This washed Ethiopian coffee comes from the Oromia Region, a large area that includes several well-known coffee-growing zones. Produced by a cooperative, it uses an unnamed heirloom variety—likely one of Ethiopia’s many ancient, uncategorized cultivars. Its score of 88.41 made it the highest-rated coffee in the competition.

2. Cafe Granja La Esperanza – Cerro Azul (Colombia) – 88.25

Grown in Trujillo, Colombia, this Geisha (variety 35000) was produced by Cafe Granja La Esperanza on the Cerro Azul farm. Processed using the washed method, this coffee scored 88.25, placing it just below the Ethiopian winner. Geisha, originally from Ethiopia, has become renowned for its unique floral and tropical profile.

3. Rigoberto Herrera Correa – Las Margaritas (Colombia) – 87.84

Another Colombian entry, this coffee comes from the Caicedonia region and is also a washed Geisha (variety 22000). Produced by Rigoberto Herrera Correa, it scored 87.84. Like the higher-ranked Geisha, it shows the variety’s potential outside Panama.

4. Adado – Gedeo Zone (Ethiopia) – 87.28

This washed Ethiopian coffee hails from the Gedeo Zone, adjacent to the famous Yirgacheffe region. Produced by Adado through the YCFCU cooperative, it uses the broad Arabica classification (not a specific variety). It scored 87.28, reflecting the consistent quality of Ethiopian washed coffees.

5. Extreberto Caceres – Cielito Lindo (Honduras) – 87.00

From Santa Barbara, Honduras, this washed Pacas variety coffee was produced by Extreberto Caceres. Scoring 87.00, it represents Honduras’ growing reputation for high-quality, washed Central American coffees with balanced profiles.

6. Will and Grace Tabios – The Rising Sun (USA, Hawaii) – 86.94

This coffee from Ka‘u, Hawaii, was produced by Will and Grace Tabios on The Rising Sun farm. A semi-washed Typica variety, it scored 86.94. Hawaii’s coffee industry is small but distinguished, with Ka‘u being one of its key regions.

7. Rigoberto Herrera – Finca Experimental Banexport (Colombia) – 86.75

Another Colombian entry, this washed Geisha coffee comes from Valle del Cauca, produced at the Finca Experimental Banexport under Granja La Esperanza. With a score of 86.75, it continues to highlight Colombia’s success with the Geisha variety.

8. Rafael Lozano – Finca Buenavista (Colombia) – 86.59

This washed Caturra variety coffee is from San Agustin, Huila, Colombia, produced by Rafael Lozano. It scored 86.59, representing the widely planted Caturra cultivar known for its balance and bright acidity.

9. Lorie Obra – Rusty’s Hawaiian (USA, Hawaii) – 86.47

From Ka‘u, Hawaii, this washed coffee is a blend of Typica and Caturra, produced by Lorie Obra on Rusty’s Hawaiian farm. It scored 86.47, further establishing Ka‘u as a notable Hawaiian coffee region.

10. Francis and Trinidad Marques – Ali‘i Hawaiian Hula Hands Coffee (USA, Hawaii) – 86.41

Also from Ka‘u, Hawaii, this coffee is a washed blend of Typica and Caturra, produced by Francis and Trinidad Marques under the Ali‘i Hawaiian Hula Hands Coffee brand. With a score of 86.41, it rounds out the top 10.

Notable Insights

Ethiopia secured two spots in the top 10, both using washed processes and unnamed heirloom varieties—highlighting the country’s rich genetic diversity. Colombia contributed four coffees, three of which were Geisha varieties, showing the global spread of this Ethiopian-origin cultivar. Honduras, the United States (Hawaii), and Ethiopia demonstrate the global reach of high-scoring specialty coffee beyond traditional powerhouses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SCAA COTY competition?

The SCAA Coffee of the Year (COTY) competition is an annual event where specialty coffee roasters and importers submit green coffee samples for blind evaluation by expert judges. Coffees are scored on attributes like aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, and body, with the highest scorers recognized as some of the best in the world for that harvest year.

Which country had the most top-scoring coffees in the 2011/12 SCAA COTY?

Colombia had the most top-scoring coffees in the 2011/12 SCAA COTY, with four coffees in the top 10, including two Geisha varieties and a Pacas. Ethiopia followed closely with two coffees, both using heirloom varieties.

What is the Geisha coffee variety, and where is it from originally?

Geisha (also spelled Gesha) is a coffee variety originally from Ethiopia. It gained international fame after exceptional lots were produced in Panama, but it has since been cultivated in other countries like Colombia. Known for floral, tea-like, and tropical fruit flavors, it often scores very highly in competitions.

Why do some Ethiopian coffees not list a specific variety?

Many Ethiopian coffees are labeled as “heirloom” or “Arabica” because Ethiopia is the origin of Arabica coffee and has hundreds—or even thousands—of unique, often undocumented cultivars. These varieties have not all been scientifically classified or given commercial names.

Which Hawaiian coffee regions scored in the top 10?

The Ka‘u region of Hawaii had three coffees in the top 10, produced by Will and Grace Tabios, Lorie Obra, and Francis and Trinidad Marques. All used either Typica, Caturra, or a blend of the two, processed via washed or semi-washed methods.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Global Origins

For a taste of top-ranked coffee regions, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Brazil Queen Manor (Yellow Bourbon, sweet and structured), Colombia Granja La Esperanza Geisha (renowned floral complexity), and Hawaii Kona typica-style blends (balanced with gentle acidity). These beans reflect the profiles of the highest-rated origins in the 2012 SCAA COTY. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.