Canterbury Coffee won 15 medals, along with a Golden Bean Award—for the 3rd straight year—at this year’s Golden Bean North America.
The North American awards returned this year to Columbus, Ohio after a two-year hiatus due to COVID.
From August 16 – 20, coffee roasters from across the continent came together to celebrate the industry and enjoy delicious coffee, while competing for the titles of “Overall Golden Bean Champion” and “Large Chain-Store Champion”, as well as for gold, silver and bronze medals in a variety of categories.
Canterbury Coffee’s Assistant Roastery Manager and Q Grader, Tim Cole, and Training Manager, Lenka Bohorova, represented Canterbury Coffee at this year’s event. Both said they were thrilled to attend the awards and have the chance to reconnect with other roasters.
“My favorite thing about Golden Bean is getting together with different coffee roasters and experts from around North America. It’s not something that you get to do a lot of. It’s great to see different people from around the continent.”
Tim Cole, Canterbury Coffee, Vancouver
This year, the awards attracted over 700 entries. Canterbury entered 30 different coffees into the event, taking home 15 medals, along with the Golden Bean Award (for the third year in a row) for Champion in the Large Chain Store category.
Canterbury Coffee was also awarded a Gold Medal for 7-Eleven Espresso in the category Chain Store Milk. They couldn’t be more pleased and proud.
A Silver Medal was awarded for Chain Store/Coffee Franchise (Milk Based) for Federated Co-operatives Limited Tanzania.
In addition, Canterbury Coffee won 13 Bronze medals:
- Sacred Acre Tanzania Korongo – Espresso
- Sacred Acre Tanzania Korongo – Milk
- Sacred Acre Navigator Blend – Milk
- Canterbury Roastery Fairtrade Organic Ethiopia Yirgacheffe – Milk
- Canterbury Roastery Fairtrade Organic Wild Hills Blend – Alternative Milk
- 7-Eleven Colombia – Chain Store Espresso
- 7-Eleven Exclusive Blend – Chain Store Milk
- Federated Co-operatives Limited Tanzania – Chain Store Espresso
- Federated Co-operatives Limited Tanzania – Chain Store Filter
- Federated Co-operatives Limited Colombia – Chain Store Espresso
- Federated Co-operatives Limited Colombia – Chain Store Milk
- Federated Co-operatives Limited Colombia – Chain Store Filter
- Federated Co-operatives Limited Ethiopia – Chain Store Milk
Canterbury Coffee has been competing at the Golden Bean North America awards since 2015.
At Golden Bean 2019, Canterbury was exceptionally proud to have brought home nine medals and a Golden Bean trophy for Overall Large Franchise/Chain—the second year in a row.
Past wins also include:
2019 – 9 medals and Golden Bean Trophy
2018 – 14 medals and Golden Bean Trophy
2017 – 6 medals
2016 – 3 medals
2015 – 3 medals
The Canterbury team was thrilled to be back together in person (following the awards’ two-year hiatus) to celebrate with fellow coffee producers. When they weren’t busy drinking delicious brews at the event, Canterbury Coffee’s representatives Lenka and Tim had the opportunity to attend speaker sessions, and to learn from industry experts about the latest technologies and industry changes.
“These types of competitions are always interesting, because it is a competition, but also a collaboration between roasters that helps push the industry forward,” Tim observes.
And indeed, this learning component of the awards is instrumental for growth and enhancing the quality of coffee throughout North America. In an industry that’s always evolving, Canterbury knows there is always more to learn, and appreciates this learning opportunity.
From processing and sourcing to equipment and drink types, the Golden Bean Awards brings industry professionals together under one roof to collaborate, compete, and share insights. “We’re always exploring different processing methods and techniques,” says Tim. “Continuous improvement is a great thing.”
Canterbury Coffee congratulates all of the coffee roasters who attended and participated in the event, and is looking forward to the upcoming Golden Bean World Series
Cheers to another great year.