The winners of the 2026 Good Meals Awards had been introduced June 2, with 15 roasted coffees from 13 U.S. roasters taking high honors within the espresso class.
This 12 months’s espresso winner checklist leans closely towards Ethiopian coffees, whereas additionally together with blends and distinctive heaps originating from Colombia, Costa Rica and Rwanda. Two roasters — Ohio-based Crimson Espresso and North Carolina-based Magnolia Espresso — every landed a number of wins.
Now in its sixteenth 12 months, the broader awards program acknowledged 242 merchandise from 198 crafters throughout 18 classes, chosen via blind tasting from greater than 1,200 entries. Winners had been chosen primarily based on style, high quality, accountable manufacturing and adherence to class requirements, amongst different standards.
Within the espresso class particularly, the Good Meals Basis makes use of a two-round course of: a primary spherical involving at-home brewing by Bay Space evaluators and a public participation element, adopted by a second spherical led by espresso professionals utilizing cupping and analysis protocols. The 2026 cycle additionally launched a brand new delineation between seasonal and year-round choices, designed to encourage what the muse describes as “market-ready” entries.
As of this 12 months, the Good Meals Awards program is operated beneath the Specialty Meals Affiliation umbrella. The 242 successful merchandise throughout all classes shall be celebrated in individual at a June 27 occasion in New York Metropolis forward of the June 28 Good Meals Mercantile. The occasions are at the side of the SFA’s Summer time Fancy Meals Present.
Listed here are the 2026 Good Meals Award Winners for Espresso
- Ethiopia Chelbesa Danche — Boxcar Espresso Roasters, Colorado
- Wayfarer Mix — Crimson Espresso, Ohio
- Loud Mouth Mix — Crimson Espresso, Ohio
- Ethiopia Layo Teraga — Driftaway Espresso, New York
- Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Banko Chelchele SuperNatural — Drink Espresso Do Stuff, Nevada
- Colombia Las Flores Thermal Shock Pink Bourbon — Equator Coffees, California
- Rwanda Butare Bagaragaza Deo — Evermore Espresso, New Jersey
- Ethiopia Guji Shakiso Gigesa Pure — Keia & Martyn’s Espresso, Oregon
- Natural Ethiopia Gotiti Yirgacheffe Reserve — Linea Caffe, California
- Rio Dulce Gesha, Cafe 1959, Colombia — Little Waves Espresso Roasters, North Carolina
- Las Lajas Double Diamond Anaerobic Pure — Magnolia Espresso, North Carolina
- Ethiopia Gera Property Anaerobic Pure — Magnolia Espresso, North Carolina
- Gesha Marsella — Mikava, Oregon
- Ethiopia Guji Kayon Mountain Pure Course of Natural — Noble Coyote Espresso Roasters, Texas
- Suke Quto — Companions Espresso, New York
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