The blind-evaluation competition, based on fragrance, aroma, taste, flavor, aftertaste and body, was held earlier this week in Long Beach, Calif.

The Ka'u estate coffee produced by Marlon Biason ranked sixth and that produced by William Tabious-Rising Sun ranked ninth among the 104 specialty coffees entered in the competition.

The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) is the world's largest coffee trade association with members in over 40 countries and from all segments of the coffee industry.

Ka'u coffee competed and compared favorably with estate coffees from such legendary coffee-producing areas as Columbia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.

The winner of the competition for the third consecutive year was Hacienda La Esmeralda from Panama.

2007 Cupping Pavilion Results:

1. Hacienda La Esmeralda, Panama

2. El Injerto, S.A., Guatemala

3. Delicafe S.A., Costa Rica

4. Jesus Mountain Coffee Company, Nicaragua

5. Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union, Ethiopia