CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga (PIA) - - Sixteen coffee growers  participated in the Kalinga Robusta Coffee Grading Competition, the first-ever quality competition on Kalinga brewed coffee.

Held at the Kalinga State University, the evaluation started with the classification of submitted green coffee grain samples then to roasting and grinding process, and finally, the  cupping or the tasting of freshly brewed cups of coffee by qualified graders that culminated on February 9.

The three-man team of evaluators is composed of Coffee product promoter Brenda Claver (team leader), Mario Macalalag of Manila-based Magellan Coffee Corporation and Jeffrey Pasikan of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Based on the quality rating of the Specialty Coffee Association, coffee should score 80 or higher to qualify as quality coffee.

Beautiful prizes await the top three winners. The champion will have a chance to participate in the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition.

Pasikan said the conduct of coffee quality testing is to help coffee farmers and producers improve their products and for concerned government agencies to provide interventions to the industry.

Kalinga coffee is popular here and abroad for its distinct aroma and taste. But the province's coffee industry faces   big challenges in its reviving efforts due to massive denudation at coffee farm sites.

The activity is sponsored by Tabuk City LGU through the City Cooperative Development Office as part of the celebration of the 28the Kalinga Founding Anniversary and 4th Bodong Festival. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)