illy, the leading brand in the high quality coffee segment, announced the list of 15 finalists for the Sixth India Coffee Quality Prize for Espresso. The Coffee Quality Prize, now in its sixth year, was instituted by illycaffè in India to recognise excellence in agronomic practices and quality of produce and reward growers of quality Arabica Plantation A coffee beans.

The fifteen finalists were selected after a rigorous short-listing process that lasted for nearly three months. Attesting to the growing popularity of the Award, this year the contest managed to attract more than 20% new participants.

The contest, which opened for entries in January 14, 2008, had closed in March 24, 2008 after the organisers reported overwhelming response from growers in all the coffee growing regions of the country.

The Sixth India Coffee Quality Prize for Espresso carries an award of US$ 7,000 for the winner and a trip-for-two to Trieste where the winners will visit illycaffè R&D and production facilities. The first and second runners-up will be awarded US$ 5,000 and US$ 3,000 respectively. They, along with the rest of the fifteen finalists – winners of the Certificates of Merit – will join the elite ranks of suppliers to illycaffè. Announcement of winners is expected to take place at an award ceremony in October this year.

Said Mrs. Sunalini Menon, head of the jury panel that identified the finalists, “India is certainly moving up the Quality ladder. There definitely was Chocolate and Caramel in the cups.” “The difference between the first, second and third positions in the competition is very marginal,” she added.

Expressing his satisfaction on the quality of samples received, Dr. Andrea Illy, chairman and CEO of illycaffè said, “Over the 6 years of the competition held in India, we have seen a definite improvement in the quality of coffee being produced here and the samples received have been of very good quality and meet the high standards set by illy. This has been possible due to various initiatives undertaken by us in the field of training, education and knowledge sharing through the efforts of the Green Coffee Company and Università del Caffè (UDC) and participation in these programmes by the local growers.”

The company has significantly stepped up activities in India since it first launched the Coffee Quality contest in 2002 on the basis of the positive experience with the analogous Brazil Prize (Prêmio Brasil de Qualidade do Café para Espresso), which was created to encourage and provide an incentive for producers to improve the quality of their coffee. For illycaffè, the contest is also a means of identifying plantation owners, with whom the Company sets up direct partnerships, providing training and technical know-how.

The Company has successfully conducted the Coffee Quality Award in India for the last six years with the aim of raising the quality, introducing the growers to better agronomic practices and also as a means of selection plantation owners, with whom the Company sets up direct partnerships, providing training and technical know-how and helping to improve cultivation.

With the same goal illycaffè opened in February, 2007, the Università del caffè dell’India at Bangalore, an extension of the training institute based in Trieste, with a view to increasing and spreading coffee culture around the world. Università del Caffè dell’ India (University of Coffee of India) has already conducted several field courses in Chikamagalur, Hassan (Karnataka), Pattiveeranpatti, Yercaud (Tamil Nadu),Madikeri & Gonikoppal (Coorg, Karnataka) as well as indoor courses at its centre in Bangalore. More than 400 participants have been trained under the various programmes on subjects that ranged from cupping/tasting/roasting exercises at the indoor programmes to Pest Control, Quality and Pulping in the field programmes.

In March this year, illycaffè also announced the arrival of espressamente illy to India, continuing the expansion of its cafés in franchising, interpreting the “Italian-style coffee culture” appreciated throughout the world and marked by innovative design. illycaffè has chosen NARANG GROUP as Master Franchisee for developing the forthcoming opening of new cafés throughout the country. The company already distributes illy products for the Indian market.

Since 1933, the mission, passion and obsession of illycaffè has been to delight all those love the quality of life through striving for the best coffee nature can offer, improved by the best of technology. For the past three generations, the illy family has been committed to this challenge. A smile for every cup.

Based in Trieste, Italy, illycaffé produces and markets a unique blend of espresso coffee under a single brand leader in quality. Over 6 million cups of illy espresso coffee are enjoyed every day. illy is sold in over 140 countries around the world and is available in more than 50,000 of the best restaurants and coffee bars. espressamente illy, the chain of franchised Italian-style coffee bars is now present in over 30 countries and comprises 210 outlets. With the aim of spreading the coffee culture, illy has founded the University of coffee, the centre of excellence offering theoretical and practical training on every aspect of coffeefor coffee growers, coffee bars staff and enthusiasts. On a global level illycaffè employs around 700 people and has a consolidated turnover of €270 million. (2007 results)

illy buys green coffee directly from the growers of the highest quality Arabica through partnerships based on the mutual creation of value. The Trieste-based company fosters long-term collaborations with the world's best coffee growers - in Brazil, Central America, India and Africa - providing know-how and technology and offering above-market prices.

1. Mr. Shantha M.P., Bettadamalai Estate, Chikmagalur
2. Mr. Devraj A.N., Nagambika Estate, Chikmagalur
3. M/s. Cowcoody Estate, Joonktollee Tea &Industries Ltd, Kodagu
4. Mrs. Mana Thyagaraj C.R., Karthik Plantations, Chickmagalur
5. Mr. Shivakumar N., S R Plantation, Chikmagalur
6. Mr. Tharanath M.S., Sri Gowrikhan Estate, Chikmagalur
7. M/s. Tata Coffee Ltd., Goorghully Estate, Hassan Dist
8. M/s. Tata Coffee Ltd., Jumboor Estate, North Kodagu
9. M/s. Tata Coffee Ltd., Mylemoney Estate, Chikmagalur
10. M/s. Sangameshwar Coffee Estates Ltd., Kondadkan Estate, Bangalore
11. Mr. Suresh P.E., Prakruthi Estate, Chikmagalur
12. Mr. Devaraj Urs P. A., Halligadde Estate, Chikmagalaur
13. Mr. Kumara Swamy S. M., Sidra Gudda Estate, Chikmagalur
14. Mr. Balakrishna M D., Hiregudda Estate, Koppa
15. Mr. Jacob Mammen, Badra Kerkiecoondah Estate, Bangalore

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illycaffe - The company

Established in 1933 by Francesco Illy, the company produces and markets world-wide a single, leading-quality blend of espresso coffee, made using nine types of pure Arabica. From the balance of these ingredients from South and Central America, India and Africa arises the unmistakable flavour and aroma of illy coffee, always constant in every cup and in any part of the world.

The illy blend is destined for HoReCa channels (hotels, restaurants, cafés), for consumption at home and at the office; it is available in tins, pods or capsules, according to the channel.

Currently, the blend is sold in 140 countries in all five continents and is served in over 50,000 public restaurants and bars. In 2006, exports accounted for 54% of total sales.

With the aim of assuring a total and excellent experience with the cup of coffee, illy has perfected a series of elements and instruments that contribute to a perfect taste: from systems for preparing coffee and coffee machines to coffee bars – via the Espressamente illy chain of Italian style coffee bars in licensing – to training of baristas and specialized personnel at the University of coffee.

illycaffè is based in Trieste and managed by the third generation of the Illy family with Andrea as chairman.

In 2006, illycaffé, which includes eight subsidiaries and an associate company and employs over 700 people, attained a consolidated turnover of euro 246 million and net profits of euro 5 millions.