Mt. Zulu Coffee Wins Two Silver Medals at the Global Coffee Awards 2025

There are moments that mark the history of a brand. For Mt. Zulu Coffee, one of those moments was receiving two Silver Medals at the Global Coffee Awards 2025 – Origin Edition, held on October 1, 2025 in Houston, Texas. This recognition not only celebrates our brand, but also the patient, technical, and detailed work of La Cumparsita Farm and our producer, agronomist Sebastián Velásquez, in Caldas, Colombia.

In this continental competition, an independent panel of expert judges blind-tasted coffees from roasteries across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Among all the entries, Mt. Zulu’s coffees not only stood out, but achieved some of the highest scores in the entire competition, according to the official results.

What Are the Global Coffee Awards?

The Global Coffee Awards (GCA) are an independent international competition where a panel of experienced judges evaluates coffees through a rigorous, multi-stage blind tasting protocol. In the Origin Edition, focused on producing countries, judges do not know the farm, brand, or roaster—only the cup speaks.

Coffees are assessed for cleanliness, aromatic expression, balance, sweetness, structure, and clarity. In each subcategory, only one Gold, one Silver, one Bronze, and one Honorable Mention are awarded. Under this strict system, Mt. Zulu Coffee earned two Silver Medals in the Filter category.

Our Award-Winning Coffees from La Cumparsita Farm

• Gesha Semi-Washed (Honey Process) – Silver Medal
  Category: Filter — Subcategory: Honey
• Gesha Carbonic Maceration – Silver Medal
  Category: Filter — Subcategory: Experimental Processing Method

Both coffees are produced at La Cumparsita Farm in Caldas, Colombia, under the leadership of agronomist Sebastián Velásquez. From selective harvesting of ripe cherries to carefully controlled fermentation and roasting at origin, each step is designed to preserve the identity, sweetness, and complexity of these lots. Mt. Zulu Coffee’s role is to bring this work from origin to cup, sharing Colombian coffees with full traceability and respect for the producer.

What the Judges Said

Gesha Carbonic Maceration – Silver Medal

Coordinator Feedback:
“Delightful, candy-like flavours of toffee, vanilla, and nougat supported by smooth milk chocolate sweetness.”

Guidance for the Roaster:
“A precisely executed roast that highlights sweetness and clarity, with excellent control of caramelisation and acidity. The profile allows the experimental carbonic maceration process to shine without overwhelming the cup.”

Suggested Food Pairing:
“Pairs wonderfully with a vanilla pound cake or other buttery desserts that complement its candy-like sweetness.”

Commendation:
“Awarded Silver for its balance, clarity, and playful confectionery character. A clean and polished expression of an experimental process.”

Gesha Semi-Washed (Honey Process) – Silver Medal

Coordinator Feedback:
“A remarkable array of flavours including concord grape, violet, jasmine, milk chocolate, cane sugar, and delicate floral tones of orange and coffee blossom. The cup is vibrant, sweet, and clean, with a long, elegant finish.”

Guidance for the Roaster:
“An outstanding roast that showcases both the coffee’s floral intensity and its fruit complexity. The balance between acidity and sweetness is exceptional, with excellent development of the honey process character.”

Suggested Food Pairing:
“Best enjoyed on its own. Its florality, structure, and clarity deserve to be the centre of attention without distraction.”

Commendation:
“Awarded Silver for its balance, sweetness, and refined structure. A precise and expressive example of a honey processed Gesha.”

Official Recognition and Invitation

In the official communication, Mt. Zulu Coffee received confirmation of the exclusive use of the GCA Winner’s Seal, along with access to the Winner’s Toolkit, which includes official seals, usage guidelines, digital resources, and promotional materials for packaging and online channels.

Mt. Zulu Coffee and La Cumparsita Farm were also formally invited to the Global Coffee Awards Ceremony, which will take place during PRF El Salvador on March 26, 2026. This recognition positions Mt. Zulu as an emerging brand to watch in the international specialty coffee landscape.

A Triumph That Begins at Origin

Beyond the medals, this achievement celebrates the scientific, technical, and human work that begins at origin. Each cherry is selectively hand-picked, each fermentation is monitored with precision, and every batch is roasted in Colombia before leaving the country. La Cumparsita Farm and Mt. Zulu Coffee share a vision: to honour the place where each coffee is born.

These Silver Medals are a tribute to the work of Sebastián Velásquez, the traceability and innovation at La Cumparsita Farm, and Mt. Zulu Coffee’s mission to share exceptional Colombian coffees with transparency and respect.

For Mt. Zulu Coffee, this is a milestone — but also a beginning. We will continue exploring varieties, processes, and roasting profiles that honour the land, the people, and the stories behind each cup.

Thank You for Being Part of This Journey

Every brew, every review, every repost, and every recommendation has helped us reach this moment. This recognition also belongs to our customers and the global coffee community that supports projects like Mt. Zulu Coffee and La Cumparsita Farm.

Mt. Zulu Coffee — From Origin to Cup.