by Suman Gupta
Bili Hu Coffee, an Indian specialty coffee brand showcasing the best of Chikmagalur’s fabled beans, has been recognised with eight merits across the Espresso, Filter, Milk and Experimental categories at the 2026 Global Coffee Awards, one of the world’s most respected and rigorously judged competitions for specialty coffee.
This recognition places Bili Hu Coffee among the leading coffee roasters participating in the 2026 edition of the Global Coffee Awards and highlights the growing role of India in the global specialty coffee industry.
Bili Hu Coffee’s 100% Arabica Blend Dark Roast in the Classic Roast Profile for the Espresso Category was awarded a Silver Medal by judges who are veterans of the World Barista Championships. And its 80:20 Arabica-Robusta Blend secured an Honourable Mention in the Milk Category.
In addition, six coffees were named Finalists across multiple categories, with several recognised in experimental and fermentation-led groups. The finalists were:
- 85:15 Arabica-Robusta Blend – Filter (Blend)
- Wild Fig Co-Ferment – Filter (Co-fermented)
- Anaerobic Arabica Naturals – Filter (Single Origin Experimental)
- 70:30 Arabica Blend – Espresso (Experimental Blend)
- Kalledevarapura Estate – Espresso (Single Origin)
- Kalledevarapura Estate Lot 6 Naturals – Filter
Bili Hu is known for their relentless pursuit of innovation to push the fermentation boundaries of Indian specialty coffee. From experimental co-ferments to carefully curated blends, the curiosity to explore how processing influences flavour continues to define Bili Hu’s roasting philosophy at the crop level. It was this spirit of continuous experimentation was recognised across multiple categories.
The Global Coffee Awards evaluate coffees solely on sensory excellence through a rigorous double-blind judging process conducted by an international panel of certified coffee experts, all veterans of judging the World Barista Championships. Coffees are assessed across key attributes, including aroma, flavour, sweetness, acidity, balance, body, and overall cup quality.
Bharat Singhal, Founder, Bili Hu Coffee, said, “India has long been recognised globally for producing exceptional Robusta coffees, much like countries such as Vietnam. What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that many of our awards have come for our Arabicas and Arabica-Robusta blends. This shows the immense potential of Indian coffee, all depending on how you play around with the coffee during the post-harvest process at the plantation level. By thoughtfully experimenting with processing techniques, we are able to unravel remarkable nuances that are unique to our terroir and crop. These awards reaffirm our belief that coffees grown in India deserve a place among the very best in the world.”
Zaron Rodrigues, Co-Founder, Bili Hu Coffee, added, “Being recognised across such a diverse range of categories — Espresso, Milk and Filter — reinforces our belief that great coffee is defined not just by the bean, but by how thoughtfully it is profiled, roasted and brewed. Whether enjoyed as a concentrated espresso, paired with milk, or brewed as a filter coffee, our coffees are crafted to deliver balance, complexity and consistency in every cup.
“These recognitions reflect the care and precision that go into developing profiles and blends that perform exceptionally across different brewing methods. This is both an honour and a testament to the dedication of our growers, producers, roasters, and the Bili Hu team. It is a reflection of the meticulous care that goes into every stage of our process — from the estates to your cup.”
About Bili Hu Coffee : Bili Hu is Kannada for ‘White Flower’, a flower with deep connections with coffee. The blooming of Bili Hu marks the start of the agricultural year and the promise of what will hopefully be a great harvest. Working closely with some of India’s finest coffee plantations in Chikmagalur, Bili Hu ethically sources coffee beans that are handpicked, hand-sorted, and meticulously roasted with rigorous quality control to reveal the unique nuances of each coffee. Built on a simple belief — a perfect cup of coffee is one of life’s greatest luxuries today, Bili Hu Coffee is trusted by leading luxury hospitality brands while continuing its mission to showcase the remarkable diversity and world-class potential of Indian specialty coffee.
