Excellence, independently recognised.

Great Taste is the world's largest blind-judged food and drink accreditation. In 2026, 15,038 products were entered. 41.1% received any award at all; 10.6% reached two stars. Difference Coffee was the only capsule company to receive a 2-star rating, and did so twice.

• 2026Jamaica Blue Mountain2 stars
• 2026Brazil Yellow Bourbon2 stars
• 2026Panama Geisha Natural DRD1 star
• 2026Panama Geisha Washed, Nido lot1 star
• 2026Honduras Champion Lot1 star
• 2024Cup of Excellence Mexico 20232 stars
• 2024Wild Kopi Luwak2 stars
• 2024Panama Esmeralda Geisha2 stars
• 2024Guatemala Specialty Swiss-Water Decaf1 star
• 2024Hawaii Kona1 star

Monde Selection has judged food quality in Brussels since 1961. In 2025 its jury awarded Difference Coffee four Diamond Trophies, for the Hawaii Kona, Jamaica Blue Mountain, Wild Kopi Luwak and Esmeralda Geisha. In 2026, six of our coffees received the Grand Gold Quality Award. The Hawaii Kona has won Grand Gold three years running, 2024, 2025 and 2026.

• 2026Hawaii KonaGrand Gold
• 2026Jamaica Blue MountainGrand Gold
• 2026Wild Kopi LuwakGrand Gold
• 2026Esmeralda Geisha (Nido)Grand Gold
• 2026Honduras Champion LotGrand Gold
• 2026Panama Geisha Natural DRDGrand Gold
• 2026Brazil Yellow BourbonGold
• 2025Hawaii KonaDiamond Trophy and Grand Gold
• 2025Jamaica Blue MountainDiamond Trophy and Grand Gold
• 2025Wild Kopi LuwakDiamond Trophy and Grand Gold
• 2025Esmeralda GeishaDiamond Trophy and Grand Gold
• 2024Hawaii KonaGrand Gold
• 2024Esmeralda GeishaGrand Gold
• 2024Jamaica Blue MountainGold
• 2024Wild Kopi LuwakGold
• 2023Hawaii KonaGold
• 2023Jamaica Blue MountainGold
• 2023Wild Kopi LuwakGold
• 2023Esmeralda Geisha WashedGold

The Aurora International Taste Challenge is an annual blind-judged international competition. Difference Coffee has entered every year since 2022 and the company has come away with medals at every edition.

• 2026Panama Geisha Natural DRDDouble Gold
• 2026Honduras Champion LotDouble Gold
• 2026Esmeralda Geisha (Nido)Double Gold
• 2026Brazil Yellow BourbonGold
• 2026Hawaii KonaGold
• 2026Brazil Swiss-Water DecafGold
• 2025Wild Kopi LuwakDouble Gold
• 2025Esmeralda GeishaDouble Gold
• 2025Jamaica Blue MountainGold
• 2025Elida Geisha NaturalGold
• 2025Swiss-Water DecafGold
• 2025Hawaii KonaGold
• 2025Brazil Yellow BourbonSilver
• 2024Elida Geisha NaturalDouble Gold
• 2024Jamaica Blue MountainGold
• 2024Wild Kopi LuwakGold
• 2023Elida Geisha NaturalDouble Gold
• 2023Cup of Excellence ChampionDouble Gold
• 2023Esmeralda Geisha WashedGold
• 2022Esmeralda GeishaDouble Gold

Coffee Review has published 100-point, wine-style blind reviews since 1997. Our capsules are evaluated as a 25ml ristretto, exactly as we recommend brewing them. Every published capsule score since 2018 sits between 91 and 94.

• Oct 2026Hawai'i Kona Hawaiian Queen94 points
• Oct 2026Panama Geisha Washed, Nido lot94 points
• Oct 2026Brazil Swiss-Water Decaf91 points
• Jul 2022Esmeralda Estate Panama Geisha94 points
• Aug 2021Esmeralda Estate Panama Geisha, Coronado 6AD94 points
• Nov 2020Esmeralda Estate Panama Geisha94 points
• Jun 2020Esmeralda Estate Panama Geisha94 points
• Aug 2019Cup of Excellence Rwanda Champion94 points
• Aug 2018Esmeralda Estate Panama Geisha94 points
• Aug 2018Brazil Cup of Excellence Prize Winner92 points

Recognition for the brand, its creativity and its place within the world of luxury.

• 2026World Coffee Innovation Awards, Restaurant Edition, Da TerraCommended, Best Coffee Concept
• 2026World Coffee Innovation Awards, Restaurant Edition, Da TerraFinalist, Branding and Packaging
• 2025LUXlife Food and Drink AwardsBest Coffee Capsule Producer
• 2025Great British Brands AwardsBest Emerging Brand, Highly Commended
• 2024LUXlife Food and Drink AwardsBest Sustainable Luxury Coffee Brand
• 2024Great British Brands AwardsA Friend to its Community, Highly Commended
• 2024Country and Town HouseA Great British Brand, every year since
• 2023WalpoleBrand of Tomorrow
• 2021LUXlife Food and Drink AwardsLuxury Specialty Coffee Supplier of the Year