INDUSTRY PROFILE
Campos Coffee Head Roaster Jamie Djambazov collects three AICA trophies.
Best in show The 2020 Australian International Coffee Awards provides roasters a chance to put their brand on the map in a rigorous judging process that celebrates the complexity and craft of roasting.
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ustralia is considered a leader in the global coffee industry. That high regard is brought to the fore every year in the Australian International Coffee Awards (AICA). In 2020, the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) awards program received 800 entries from 172 roasters across 15 countries. Kirsten Stubbings, Manager of the AICA, tells BeanScene there was an overall quality improvement in coffees submitted in the competition this year. “[Head Judge Melissa Caia] was impressed with what Australian and international roasters on the whole are producing, which was reflected in the results,” Kirsten says. “It’s also reflected in how happy our exhibitors are with the results, because it feels as though they’ve received accurate feedback.” Using the RASV scoring system, any
coffee awarded 44 to 48 points received a bronze medal, 49 to 53 points a silver, and 54 to 60 points a gold. A total of 291 medals were given out in 2020 – 184 bronze, 92 silver, and 15 gold. The top scoring gold medal coffees in each category – Espresso, Milk Based, Soy Based, Filter, and Cold Brew – win a Best in Class Trophy. Three more trophies are awarded tp the Champion Australian Roaster, Champion International Roaster, and Champion Direct Trade or Microlot Coffee every competition. This year, Campos Coffee took out the Champion Australian Roaster title, as well as Champion Direct Trade or Microlot Coffee, and Champion Filter Coffee for its Panama Esmeralda Super Mario Geisha. Founder and CEO Will Young describes the award as a recognition of the hard work the Campos team has put into its roasting and green bean buying programs over more than a decade.
“I feel like we’ve been building up to it for so long. It’s a testament to the experience and knowledge of our roasting team,” Will says. “Then there’s all the time we spend working with the Cup of Excellence – we’ve got seven qualified judges in our team – and the Best of Panama. That teaches you a lot about coffee, connects you with producers, and helps with knowing what coffees to select for competitions.” Super Mario was sourced in a private auction from Hacienda La Esmeralda in Panama. Campos Coffee sold the coffee in 18-gram single serve pouches to make it more accessible price-wise for baristas, roasters, and those who would appreciate it most. Will says a good relationship and communication with its producer, Rachel Peterson, helped Campos bring the best out of the coffee. “We’ve been buying coffees from
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