2026 Global Coffee Awards Announces Latin America Winners – CoffeeTalk

Café Baluarte de Veracruz from Veracruz, Mexico, has been named the overall winner of the 2026 Global Coffee Awards Latin America. The coffee was roasted by Macizo Café and produced by Luis Eduardo Moreno of Finca Villa Hermosa. The regional winners were Macizo Café in Bogotá, Colombia, and DeLa Finca Specialty Coffee in Managua, Nicaragua. Café Baluarte de Veracruz won both Flat White and Filter categories.

The competition, which took place on 12 August 2026, brought together roasters from over ten countries across the region, including Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, El Salvador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Peru. The competition allows roasters of all sizes to submit coffees across defined categories and receive recognition from an international panel of coffee professionals.

The expansion of the Global Coffee Awards into Latin America comes as domestic coffee consumption continues to grow across several producing countries. In Colombia, specialty coffee represents an estimated 3% to 5% of total coffee consumption, valued at around US$1.52 billion. The GCA is designed to recognize the roasters and producers working behind the coffee, while creating an opportunity for coffees roasted in producing countries to reach an international audience and retain more value within their local coffee industries.

The competition was judged through a double-blind process, with a Head Judge and at least three additional judges evaluating each coffee without access to identifying information. All participants received detailed written feedback on their submitted coffee, giving teams practical information to refine their roast profiles and future submissions.

The overall title went to Café Baluarte de Veracruz from Veracruz, Mexico.

The regional category winners were:

• Filter: Macizo Café, Bogotá, Colombia
• Espresso: DeLa Finca Specialty Coffee, Managua, Nicaragua
• Flat White Dairy: Café Baluarte de Veracruz
• Flat White Plant-Based Milk: Café Baluarte de Veracruz

The MTPak Packaging Award went to Chica Bean from Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.

All Gold, Silver, and Bronze overall category winners from the regional competitions will be invited to compete at the 2026 GCA World Championship, taking place at PRF Mexico on 18 & 19 March 2027.