‘Best of Honduras: Late Harvest’ summary
The second annual ‘Best of Honduras: Late Harvest’ auction took place from July 24-30, in Honduras.
An international panel of judges descended upon Honduras during late July to taste and score the best coffees of the late harvest. 36 coffees, chosen by a National Jury, were blind tasted and scored before the international panel of judges cupped and selected the top coffees, which were released to an online auction on the Cropster Hub.
The international visitors spent several days visiting farms and exchanging information with coffee producers.
For the second year running, José Abel Girón of Las Bojitas was the champion of the auction, with a washed pacamara (1500 masl) that scored an impressive 91.34.
Prior to entering the ‘Best of’ auction program, José was selling his coffee to local cooperatives and receiving between $2.50 – $3 USD/lb. At the ‘Best of Honduras: Late Harvest’ 2017 auction, his coffee sold for $29.10 USD/lb, a huge increase from normal commodity prices.
Reynaldo Muñoz López was a close second, with his washed pacas from Los Primos in Santa Barbara scoring 91.19. Like José, Reynaldo received a much higher price for his coffee than in previous harvests, receiving $20.10 USD/lb.
José Glenis Izaguirre Tróchez came in third with another coffee from Santa Barbara, a washed pacas from El Cañal that scored 89.66 and allowed José (Tróchez) to receive $20.20 USD/lb.
The ‘Best of’ auctions aim to connect coffee lovers and buyers with producers and exporters, at origin. By connecting different ends of the global coffee chain we aim to enact positive change, particularly for producers, who may not be earning enough to sustain themselves and their families.
A story that has emerged from this auction is that of auction winner José and the company who won his coffee at the auction, Honey Coffee of Japan. Members of the Honey Coffee team not only attended the 2016 auction event and returned in 2017 to purchase José’s coffee, but also visited his farm in early 2017 on a separate trip, to purchase more coffee from him in a direct trade partnership.
We are thrilled that José, who prior to this had never engaged in direct trade, has now established a relationship with coffee buyers and roasters from the other side of the world and secured higher prices for his coffees.
The ‘Best of’ auctions will return in 2018, with more trips to origin, new coffees and many new relationships to form. If you are interested in attending as a shadow judge or experienced judge, visit our auctions page.
A full list of the top 20 coffees of the ‘Best of Honduras: Late Harvest’ 2017 auction with scores, prices and buyers can be found here.
