August 2025
Something is brewing in KwaZulu-Natal’s coffee sector this month.
The Battle of the Beans – an innovative annual coffee competition that sets out to recognise and reward the plethora of independent coffee shops that serve up the finest brews in the province – is back for its second year.
Affectionately known as BOB, the competition is sponsored by Selati Sugar and hosted by the Coffee Colab, a team of coffee lovers, media and marketing professionals who are passionate about putting our province on the national coffee map.
“As one of only two provinces that process coffee from bean to brew, KwaZulu-Natal is the coffee capital of South Africa. From the farmers that tend the rich red beans on the green hills of our coasts, to our skilled roasters and baristas, we have a coffee culture second to none,” says marketing guru and experienced coffee judge Bongani Mthiyane, the latest director to join this coffee fuelled non-profit organisation.
This year’s competition will be bigger and better. In addition to including more coffee shops to our judges already rigorous schedules, the Coffee Colab has added another category that recognises and rewards the contribution of “Coffee on the Go” establishments.
The judging process involves two rounds of incognito, independent judging which will result in the selection of the top three coffee shops in each of the seven regions as well as the top two takeaway outlets (in the Coffee on the Go category) in the same seven regions. At this point, a new group of judges will consider, visit and judge the regional finalists to come up with the top three coffee shops in KwaZulu-Natal and a top three in the takeaway category. We will also be looking for the best baristas in the province. Awards will be presented at a much-anticipated ceremony in January 2026.
The launch of the 2026 competition is accompanied by the launch of the 2025 Guide to Good Coffee Drinking in KZN. Under the watchful eye of coffee lover, well-known food critic and Battle of the Beans founder, Ingrid Shevlin, who was on a mission to rejuvenate a coffee competition run by KZN’s largest Sunday newspaper at the beginning of last year, this guide combines reviews of the top third of all the coffee shops judged during last year’s competition.
Shevlin and fellow directors Denis Ngxongo, Bongani Mthiyane, Shirley le Guern and Cindy Bottomley, are challenging those coffee shops that qualified for the guide to remain there and those that have not yet cracked the nod to strive to serve up better coffee and earn a place in the guide. Those wishing to catch up with the best coffee shops in KZN can log on to the website www.battleofthebeans.co.za.
“We are extremely proud of what we achieved last year and, particularly, of the high standard of coffee in KZN. We know that coffee shops are the cornerstones of the hospitality industry. Through BOB, we will continue to spread the word about the many coffee entrepreneurs who are building their businesses and providing employment during the toughest of times,” says le Guern.
BOB has also ramped up its social media campaign to not only create a following for KZN coffee culture but also to encourage our province’s coffee lovers to vote for their favourite coffee spots. Social media will also track new developments as the competition gathers momentum during the remainder of 2025.
For further information, please log onto www.battleofthebeans.co.za or visit the Battle of the Beans pages on Facebook and Instagram.
