Panama Gesha Nido and Indonesia Liberica Cupping
Dawn Coffee Curators Opens 2026 with a Premier Cupping at Calico Coffee
Rifqi Maulana
1/28/20262 min read
We were delighted to kick off 2026 by hosting our first cupping of the year at Calico Coffee, bringing together roasters, coffee professionals, and enthusiasts to preview the coffees that will form Dawn Coffee Curators' Q2 Offer List, scheduled to arrive in the UK this April.
The cupping offered an exclusive first look at a collection of coffees that represent the diversity and innovation currently taking place across Indonesia. From classic Arabica cultivars to experimental processing methods, the lineup reflected our ongoing commitment to sourcing distinctive coffees while supporting producers who continue to push the boundaries of quality.
A major highlight of the session was the opportunity to showcase two exceptional Java Liberica Competition Lots. These coffees have previously been used on the competition stage over the past two seasons, earning recognition through strong performances and high rankings. Previously at the World Brewers Cup 2025, Elysia Tan from Singapore placed 4th by using this Liberica in the final. Their inclusion was more than simply presenting unique coffee; it was an opportunity to demonstrate how far Liberica has evolved as a specialty coffee species.
To put this evolution into perspective, we served the Liberica lots alongside one of the world's most celebrated coffees: Panama Gesha from Hacienda La Esmeralda's Nido plot. The Nido plot made history in 2025 by producing the coffee that achieved the highest auction price ever recorded, making it one of the most sought-after coffees in the world.
Rather than positioning the coffees as competitors, the side-by-side tasting was designed to encourage conversation. It allowed attendees to experience the world's finest Gesha and one of the most advanced expressions of Liberica within the same cupping table. The comparison challenged long-held perceptions that Liberica is inherently inferior or limited in quality. Today's carefully cultivated and meticulously processed Liberica demonstrates remarkable clarity, complexity, elegance, and sweetness, qualities that continue to redefine what this species is capable of achieving.
The coffees on the cupping table are:
Java Liberica Single Anaerobic – Competition Lot
Java Liberica Double Anaerobic – Competition Lot
Java Liberica Mossto Natural - Competition Lot
Lawu Typica Natural Anaerobic 72H
Lawu Typica Natural Mossto
Sindoro Honey Mossto
Prau Black Honey Triple Yeast
BOP: Best of Prau Washed Triple Yeast
Panama Gesha – Hacienda La Esmeralda, Nido Natural
Beyond showcasing exceptional coffees, the event reflected Dawn Coffee Curators' broader mission: to introduce coffees that tell meaningful stories, celebrate innovation at origin, and connect producers with roasters who are eager to explore new possibilities.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Junchao Huang and the entire team at Calico Coffee for generously providing the space, time, and hospitality to host our premier cupping of 2026. Their support helped create an engaging environment where conversations around quality, processing, and the future of specialty coffee could flourish.
Finally, thank you to everyone who joined us and shared in this experience. We look forward to welcoming these coffees to the UK in April and sharing them with an even wider community of roasters throughout the second quarter of the year.
See you at the next cupping.