From Green Grading to Cupping: Khao Lak Robusta Competition 2023

The Khao Lak Robusta Green Coffee Competition 2023 brought together 22 Thai and international R Graders to evaluate Thai Robusta. Our June albums followed the work from green coffee inspection through calibration and cupping, with LA VELA KHAO LAK supporting the event as its main sponsor.

Evaluation began before the coffee reached the cup. Samples were coded, checked for green coffee defects and assessed for moisture. Coffees that met the criteria moved on to roasting and a further check for quakers before cupping. The original photograph captures the careful sorting behind that process.

International Head Judge Sam Choi and Co-Head Judge Shaun Ong led calibration with the judging team. Fourteen Flavor Active references introduced flavours associated with defects and other coffee characteristics, followed by repeated cupping to work toward consistent scoring.

Our later albums recorded the judges evaluating the coffees over several days. This was part of the search for The Finest Robusta Thailand, ahead of a separate showcase at World of Coffee Athens.

Earlier in May, we shared La Vela’s announcement for Coffee Cation X Surf Edition in Khao Lak. Its original artwork listed Espresso Academy Thailand among the partners, alongside a planned programme of public cupping and coffee-community activities. That announcement is linked below as related context for the local coffee gathering.

Thank you to the farmers who submitted their coffees, the judging team and the supporters behind the event. Explore the original green grading, calibration and cupping albums below.

The original source post is preserved below.