The scan

What's new in coffee

Industry news, published research, notable bean releases and equipment launches, gathered by a weekly scan and ranked by how much they should change what you do at the brew bar. Highlighted cards are the must-reads.

All Industry Research Beans Equipment|Must-reads only

Week of Sep 5, 2026

3 items

BeansNewsroom Panama· Aug 8, 2026T4 · Press

Best of Panama 2026: 40 winning lots sealed for the 23 September online auction

The 30th Best of Panama announced its 2026 winners on 1 August: Elida Estate took Geisha Washed at 96.25 points, Lérida Estate took Geisha Natural at 95.63, Altieri Specialty Coffee won Varietals at 93.63 and Hacienda La Esmeralda won the Copa Panamá for highest accumulated score. Forty lots are now held under external audit at the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama ahead of the international electronic auction on 23 September 2026. Last year's auction set the all-time record of $30,204 per kg for an Esmeralda washed Geisha.

Why it matters: The auction sets the price ceiling for the whole Gesha market; if you want a 2026 BoP lot, watch roasters like Proud Mary, Archers and Onyx in October to December when the winning lots ship.

Published Aug 8, 2026 · collected Sep 5, 2026

competition prices varieties green-coffee

BeansDaily Coffee News· Aug 26, 2026T4 · Press

Best of Congo Cooperatives puts 14 traceable DRC microlots up for auction 1-3 September

The 2026 Best of Congo Cooperatives program offers 32 coffees from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: 14 international-winner microlots sold on the M-Cultivo auction platform from 1 to 3 September, plus 18 national winners on an offer sheet. Auction lots run from 86 to 300 kg with bids opening at $13 per kg ($5.90 per lb), and the catalogue spans fully washed, natural and anaerobic-fermentation lots, several produced by women's groups.

Why it matters: Congo remains one of the least-seen East African origins on roaster menus; lots bought here will surface as single origins in October to November, so it is a chance to taste Kivu coffees outside the usual Rwanda and Burundi rotation.

Published Aug 26, 2026 · collected Sep 5, 2026

competition green-coffee sustainability

BeansPerfect Daily GrindT4 · Press

Non-Gesha varieties are taking Cup of Excellence top spots even as Gesha dominates barista stages

Perfect Daily Grind reviews the 2026 competition season and finds a split: most finalists at the 2025 World Barista Championship and 2026 World Brewers Cup still used Gesha (often blended with other varieties), but at Cup of Excellence the winners were a Bernardina at Finca La Esperanza in El Salvador (91.95 points), a Parainema in Honduras and a washed Java in Costa Rica. Gesha still holds the most category titles overall, but locally adapted and landrace varieties are beating it on the cupping table.

Why it matters: If you buy competition lots, Bernardina, Parainema and Java are now the varieties to try; they cup at Gesha level and sell for far less at auction.

Publication date unknown · collected Sep 5, 2026

varieties cup-of-excellence competition

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