Ernesto Illy Quality Award for Espresso Coffee

The history of illycaffè in Brazil at the end of the eighties, when the company searched for coffee beans for its exclusive blend. Upon finding a market that only sold coffee as a commodity, with little value and poor quality, illycaffè trusted in the potential of the Country and its coffee. A new chapter in the history of the coffee production in Brazil was then written. 

The many visits conducted by Dr. Ernesto Illy throughout the countryside proved to the producers that there was a market willing to buy and pay more for a superior quality product. The presence and support of illycaffè gave a new strength for the supply chain, offering tools and mechanisms for the development of this new kind of product. In addition to the investment for the best beans, illycaffè chose to recognize the hard work of the producers that embraced the principles of quality and sustainability.
In 1991 it was created an award that would become one of the most important honors on the subject of quality in the country: the Prêmio Brasil de Qualidade do Café para Espresso (Brazil Quality Award for Espresso Coffee). Since 2008, the competition is named Ernesto Illy Quality Award for Espresso Coffee, as homage to the late honorary president of the company. Now in its 21st edition, the award has already bestowed more than US$ 4 million to coffee growers.