By Mare Terra Coffee
Explore the event:
A unique and surprising championship
In 2025, we're transforming the experience with the Pre-Opens: an exclusive prelude to the main championship.
The Open de Cata is a unique championship that combines the disciplines of sensory memory and triangulation, establishing itself as an event of international prestige. It stands out for the difficulty of its tests, the quality of its participants, and the attractive prizes that bring together the best cuppers in the world.
This 2025 there will be no traditional Open Tasting, but we are taking another step forward with the introduction of the Pre-Opens in several countries, these pre-events allow tasters to demonstrate their skills before the official championship in 2026.
Tasting, competing, connecting. Live the unique experience of Open de Cata
Only the most accurate, fast and consistent tasters make it this far. Will you be the next champion?
Pre-Opens 2025
The direct prelude to Open de Cata
In 2025, Mare Terra Coffee will introduce the Pre-Opens,a series of international competitions that act as the perfect prelude to the main championship.
These competitions are open to international tasters looking to measure themselves against the best and earn their place at the Open de 2026.
From June 2025 to April 2026, a series of preliminary competitions leading up to the Open de Cata will be organized, known as the Pre-Opens de Cata. These competitions will not only help you calibrate and improve your skills, but also give you the chance to taste coffees of the same level as those featured in the Open de Cata, preparing you to compete in the main event. In addition, the winners of each Pre-Open will receive as a prize their entry to the 2026 Open de Cata, along with flights to Barcelona and accommodation for the final
Participate in the Pre-Opens and secure your place at the Open de Cata
The Pre-Opens will be held in various cities around the world, offering cuppers the opportunity to showcase their skills. Here are the confirmed dates and countries for this season:
Do you want to organize a Pre-Open in your country?
Help us to take this international experience to new destinations.
If you are interested in organizing a Pre-Open de Cata in your country, this is your opportunity to be part of Mare Terras Coffee’s global network. For more information on how to become an accredited organizer, please see the criteria and conditions available at the following link.
Open de Cata 2026
The ultimate challenge for the world's best tasters
In 2026, the final event will take place on May 29 and 30, although the venue is yet to be confirmed. It promises to be an unforgettable edition, with a higher level of competition, more single-origin coffees, and a total prize pool of €25,000—making it one of the most prestigious and rewarding cupping championships in the world.
Open de Cata 2026 Awards. A recognition of excellence
15.000€
1st place
5.000€
2nd place
3.000€
3rd place
2.000€
4th place
Get ready, train... and start your way to the Open de Cata 2026!
What does the Open de Cata consist of?
A championship of sensory precision
Participating in the Open Cupping means stepping into a demanding, technical, and thrilling championship. Here’s what the journey looks like—from the first round to the grand final
First Round - Sensory Memory
Evaluation Tasting
Participants have 15 minutes to cup 6 coffees from 3 distinct origins—South America, Central America, and Africa. During this time, they have access to information about the country of origin, farm or washing station, variety, and processing method. Their task is to taste the coffees and memorize the unique characteristics of each lot.
Blind tasting
Once the evaluation phase is complete and notes have been taken, participants face a second cupping—this time, blind. They must taste the same 6 coffees again, with no visible information, and place each cup in its correct position based on their sensory memory and previous notes. Precision is key: the better they’ve memorized the profiles, the more accurate their choices will be.
Evaluation and pass to the semifinals
The 12 tasters with the highest number of correct scores advance to the next phase of the championship.
Final - A single origin, maximum demand
The Grand Final of the Open Cupping represents the most precise sensory challenge of the entire championship. Only the top 8 cuppers make it this far.
Sensory Memory - 6 coffees, 1 origin
The test follows the same protocol as the semifinal round, but this time all coffees come from a single country. These are 6 distinct coffees, crafted using different varieties and processing methods, requiring finalists to distinguish with absolute precision between extremely similar profiles
Evaluation and Winner
Each correct match earns one point. In the event of a tie, ranking is determined by the shortest time taken. The cupper with the highest number of correct matches in the least amount of time becomes the winner of the Open Cupping by Mare Terra Coffee 2026
Semifinal - Accuracy and Speed
Sensory Memory - 6 coffees, 2 origins
This phase follows the same protocol as the qualifying round, but with an added level of difficulty: the 6 coffees come from only two different countries, requiring greater attention to subtle nuances. Participants will have 15 minutes to freely cup the coffees (brewed as filter and served in thermoses), identify their characteristics, and take detailed notes.
Next, groups of four will be formed. Each group will cup the same 6 coffees again—this time with no visible information—and must place them correctly based on flavor and their previous notes.
Triangulation - 6 sets in 6 minutes
This test follows the format of the World Cup Tasters Championship, with one key difference: participants have only 6 minutes to complete 6 triangulations.
Each set contains three cups—two with the same coffee and one that’s different. The goal is to identify the odd cup in each triangle and separate it from the others.
Next, groups of four will be formed. Each group will cup the same 6 coffees—this time with no visible information—and must place them correctly based on flavor and their previous notes.
Evaluation and pass to the Finals
The results from both tests—Sensory Memory and Triangulation—are combined. In the event of a tie, the total time taken is used as a tiebreaker. The 8 participants with the highest overall scores advance to the Final.
First Round - Sensory Memory
Evaluation Tasting
Participants have 15 minutes to cup 6 coffees from 3 distinct origins—South America, Central America, and Africa. During this time, they have access to information about the country of origin, farm or washing station, variety, and processing method. Their task is to taste the coffees and memorize the unique characteristics of each lot.
Blind tasting
Once the evaluation phase is complete and notes have been taken, participants face a second cupping—this time, blind. They must taste the same 6 coffees again, with no visible information, and place each cup in its correct position based on their sensory memory and previous notes. Precision is key: the better they’ve memorized the profiles, the more accurate their choices will be.
Evaluation and pass to the semifinals
The 12 tasters with the highest number of correct scores advance to the next phase of the championship.
Semifinal - Accuracy and Speed
Sensory Memory - 6 coffees, 2 origins
This phase follows the same protocol as the qualifying round, but with an added level of difficulty: the 6 coffees come from only two different countries, requiring greater attention to subtle nuances. Participants will have 15 minutes to freely cup the coffees (brewed as filter and served in thermoses), identify their characteristics, and take detailed notes.
Next, groups of four will be formed. Each group will cup the same 6 coffees again—this time with no visible information—and must place them correctly based on flavor and their previous notes.
Triangulation - 6 sets in 6 minutes
This test follows the format of the World Cup Tasters Championship, with one key difference: participants have only 6 minutes to complete 6 triangulations.
Each set contains three cups—two with the same coffee and one that’s different. The goal is to identify the odd cup in each triangle and separate it from the others.
Next, groups of four will be formed. Each group will cup the same 6 coffees—this time with no visible information—and must place them correctly based on flavor and their previous notes.
Evaluation and pass to the Finals
The results from both tests—Sensory Memory and Triangulation—are combined. In the event of a tie, the total time taken is used as a tiebreaker. The 8 participants with the highest overall scores advance to the Final.
Final - A single origin, maximum demand
The Grand Final of the Open Cupping represents the most precise sensory challenge of the entire championship. Only the top 8 cuppers make it this far.
Sensory Memory - 6 coffees, 1 origin
The test follows the same protocol as the semifinal round, but this time all coffees come from a single country. These are 6 distinct coffees, crafted using different varieties and processing methods, requiring finalists to distinguish with absolute precision between extremely similar profiles
Evaluation and Winner
Each correct match earns one point. In the event of a tie, ranking is determined by the shortest time taken. The cupper with the highest number of correct matches in the least amount of time becomes the winner of the Open Cupping by Mare Terra Coffee 2026
Relive previous editions of the Open de Cata
Moments, emotions and talent that marked each year
Open de Cata 2024
The 2024 edition of the Open Cupping was held on October 25 and 26 in Barcelona, bringing together 36 cuppers from 14 different countries. With a total prize pool of €20,000, participants competed in an atmosphere filled with passion, competition, and sensory excellence.
Open de Cata 2023
This edition, held from October 19 to 21 in Barcelona, brought together 24 cuppers from 10 countries around the world. With a total prize pool of €11,000, the competition was incredibly close and gave rise to a vibrant showcase of sensory skill and excitement.
Sponsors of the Open de Cata
We greatly appreciate the support of our sponsors for the 2024 edition of the Open de Cata.
Thanks to their contribution, the event was possible and reached an international level of excellence.
