African Coffee Beans: What is TOH? How Are African Coffee Beans Auctioned?

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Introduction to TOH by FrontStreet Coffee

TOH stands for THE TASTE OF HARVEST, an annual African coffee bean competition organized by the African Coffee Association (which includes seven member countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Congo). The competition features cupping and scoring by domestic and international judges according to the standards of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), followed by direct online auctions that bypass intermediaries.

During the preliminary rounds, batches with cupping scores below 80 points are eliminated. Through this process, the highest quality green beans from each region are gradually selected to enter the national-level competition. Domestic and international judges then conduct cupping and scoring based on SCA standards, with the highest-scoring coffee being crowned the annual national champion. After the competition concludes, these premium coffees are auctioned online by green bean auction companies.