The Battle of the Beans, an annual coffee competition in KwaZulu-Natal, is now in its third year. The event, sponsored by Selati Sugar and hosted by the non-profit Coffee Colab, aims to recognize and reward the best independent coffee shops across the province. Coffee entrepreneurs can expect incognito visits from a panel of over 30 judges who will score their coffee shops on the quality of their cappuccinos and espressos, as well as the overall coffee drinking experience.
The competition's engine room is driven by a hand-picked panel of judges who travel across the province, from the North to South Coast, throughout Durban, up the highway, and to the Midlands. After two rounds of judging, regional judging panels will select the top three coffee shops for each region, plus one To-Go coffee outlet and one regional barista winner. These regional winners will then be judged by a specialist team to select the top three coffee shops in KZN, the best To-Go outlet, and the province's top barista.
The competition also includes an updating of the 2025/26 Guide to Good Coffee Drinking in KZN by coffee lover and Battle of the Beans founder, Ingrid Shevlin. The guide aims to encourage coffee lovers to explore the many exceptional coffee shops in KZN, making it easier for them to discover new venues when traveling. The guide will feature the province's coffee royalty, with those included considered to be among the best in the industry.
Marketing guru and experienced coffee judge, Bongani Mthiyane, believes that KwaZulu-Natal has an important role to play in developing South Africa's coffee culture. As one of only two provinces that process coffee from bean to brew, KZN can contribute significantly to growing the industry. From farmers tending to coffee beans on the green hills of the coast to skilled roasters and baristas, the province has a rich coffee heritage.
The competition is ramping up its social media campaign to keep coffee lovers informed about the goings-on in the province's coffee world and enable them to add their voice to it. In September, coffee drinkers will be invited to vote for their favorite coffee spots. The most popular shop will win a trophy, while those that nominate the best of the best stand to win exciting coffee hampers for participating.
The Battle of the Beans competition is open to independent coffee shops across KwaZulu-Natal, with the goal of promoting the province's coffee culture and recognizing exceptional coffee entrepreneurs. The competition's founder, Ingrid Shevlin, celebrates with Craig Charity, owner of KZN's Top Coffee Shop for 2025, Lineage Hillcrest, and Graeme Myhill from Selati.
For further information about the Battle of the Beans competition, interested parties can log onto www.battleofthebeans.co.za or visit the Battle of the Beans pages on Facebook and Instagram. The competition provides a platform for coffee lovers to engage with the province's vibrant coffee scene and support local businesses.
Key points
- The Battle of the Beans competition aims to recognize and reward KwaZulu-Natal's best independent coffee shops.
- The competition includes an updating of the 2025/26 Guide to Good Coffee Drinking in KZN.
- Coffee lovers can vote for their favorite coffee spots in September to win exciting prizes.
