Every year, coffee farmers from all around the world submit their harvests to participate, beginning the journey with a meticulous selection process. Each batch is tested according to strict criteria, including flavor, balance, body, acidity, and aftertaste.

Coffee that demonstrates true excellence and surpasses these standards is chosen for the finals. However, the real challenge begins when these harvests reach the tasting table, where the beans undergo multiple rounds of evaluation by an international panel of certified coffee experts from across the globe.

Only coffees that score over 85 points on a 100-point scale can make it to the finals. These scores are not just numbers; they are a certification that the coffee is not only good but of a globally recognized specialty grade.

After the final evaluation, the results are announced, and the winning coffee becomes the talk of the world. The top-ranking coffees are then auctioned globally, where buyers compete for them. Their prices soar as a testament to the global appreciation of the effort and quality.

The Cup of Excellence has been more than just a platform; it has been a journey of validation. In 2014, Santa Rosa achieved first place for the first time with a score of 91.41. Since then, it has remained a consistent winner, proving over a decade that it is not just a coffee farm, but a symbol of excellence that borders on perfection.

The story began in the late 1970s when Jorge Raúl Rivera planted the seeds of ambition amidst the challenges of civil war. The first challenge was to carve a path for his dream through rugged, undeveloped land. But with resilience and passion, that land transformed into an exceptional farm, home to the renowned Pacamara variety. Known for its quality, Pacamara is one of the most famous and distinguished varieties in the specialty coffee world. This variety was developed through the crossbreeding of two exceptional types, Maragogipe, known for its large bean size, and Bourbon (Pacas), known for its high quality. Developed in El Salvador in 1958, it combines the best traits of both varieties. Pacamara beans are large, making them a favorite among coffee lovers, and they are among the rare varieties that achieve exceptional results in global competitions like the Cup of Excellence.

However, excellence is not easily attained. The price of dreams, loss, and obstacles… Over the course of more than a decade, Jorge faced numerous challenges, from market crises to the loss of his brother and partner, José Roberto. But Jorge persisted with an unwavering determination, and it was this dedication that made the farm one of the most distinguished names in the coffee world.

Here, on the land that makes a difference

Santa Rosa farm is not just a piece of land; it is a complete ecosystem, covering 56 hectares, with 20 hectares dedicated to specialty-grade coffee. It sits at altitudes starting from 1600 meters above sea level, where the air is fresh and the climate ideal. Its clay-rich soil is nourished by rainfall ranging from 2000 to 2500 mm annually, surrounded by pine forests that provide 30-40% shade, creating the perfect environment for coffee growth. Since its inception, and especially over the last decade, the farm has been a key player in the Cup of Excellence auctions, the global competition that is the ultimate measure of quality in the coffee world. Over the years, Santa Rosa has achieved a series of remarkable successes:

2011: 5th place – 90.69
2013: 20th place – 85.77
2014: 1st place – 91.41
2014: 12th place – 86.97
2015: 8th place – 88.32
2016: 1st place in Project Origin
2017: 1st place – 91.28
2018: 3rd place – 90.57
2019: 1st place – 90.6
2020: 10th place – 88.5
2021: 12th place – 88.5
2022: 2nd place – 90.36

Today, with this exceptional track record, Santa Rosa is more than just a farm or coffee; it is a monument to sustainable quality over the years. It is a story of passion that endures and excellence that is cultivated to be harvested.