Category Rankings – 2016

In the past, our Top 30 Coffees lists tended to favor high-scoring coffees produced from botanical varieties of Arabica with striking sensory properties such as Geshas, coffees from the distinctive traditional Ethiopian varieties, Kenyan coffees, and so on.

Last year, we began the practice of recognizing coffees by category to focus attention on fine coffees from other parts of the world and/or produced from less celebrated botanical varieties. The coffees below may not have attracted superlative ratings of 95 points or more but they merit recognition for their excellence nonetheless. For more information, visit our expanded rankings post from 2015.

Three coffees per category will be recognized beginning on Tuesday, November 29.

Best Values

Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea, Brazil Fazenda Passeio Natural – 94 points
Klatch Coffee, Sumatra Lintong Mutu Batak – 94 points
Thanksgiving Coffee Company, Paul’s Blend – 92 points

Single Origin Espressos

JBC Coffee Roasters, Deri Kochoha Espresso – 96 points
JBC Coffee Roasters, El Aguila Pacamara Espresso – 94 points
Simon Hsieh’s Aroma Roast Coffees, Ethiopia Washed Yirgacheffe “Mini Me” 2016 Espresso – 95 points

Central Americas (Non-Gesha)

JBC Coffee Roasters, El Aguila Pacamara Espresso – 94 points
Dragonfly Coffee Roasters, Los Congos Pacamara Natural Nicaragua – 94 points
Temple Coffee and Tea, Costa Rica Alberto Guardia Bourbon Natural (May) – 95 points

Non-Espresso Blends

Per’la Specialty Coffee, Miami Winter Holiday Blend – 94 points
Thanksgiving Coffee, Paul’s Blend – 92 points
Red Rooster Coffee Roaster, Sweet Holiday Blend – 93 points

Certified Coffees (Organic, Fair Trade, etc.)

Kickapoo Coffee, Ethiopia Charbanta Natural – 95 points
Oceana Coffee, Passport Collection Kenya Ichamara – 94 points
Lexington Coffee Roasters, SOPACDI Congo – 94 points

Espresso Blends