We’re excited for the beginning of the 2026 Cup Of Excellence® season, which marks Carrboro Coffee Roasters’ 20th year of involvement in this ground-breaking coffee development & promotion program. 

In 2007, CCR President & Coffee Buyer Scott Conary became involved in this Program as an International Judge in Honduras and Nicaragua. In 2015, after years of seeing the positive impacts of the program, he joined the organization as a Head Judge & Instructor.

This is a role that helps shape a more transparent infrastructure in coffee, giving farmers the recognition & tools they need to improve the economic model of their farms, while also giving Carrboro Coffee’s customers access to some of the world’s most distinguished coffees!

Cup of Excellence, founded in 1999, is the most prestigious competition and auction for high quality coffees. The competition has pioneered integrity and transparency in the coffee industry through a level of evaluation that is unmatched anywhere in the specialty coffee industry.

Each year, thousands of coffees are submitted for consideration in each coffee growing country, with winning coffees sold in global online auctions at premium prices. The majority of auction proceeds go to the farmers to support these efforts, and ongoing development for them, their families and communities. Carrboro Coffee Roasters also participates in these auctions to secure unique lots that we are able to roast & share with coffee lovers in the Triangle & beyond.

Visit Cup of Excellence, for more info on the program. And follow our Instagram as we share info about Scott’s involvement in this years’ Cup of Excellence season, including his work in Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, and El Salvador.