The Cocoa of Excellence (CoE) and International Cocoa Awards (ICA) were launched by Bioversity International, CIRAD, and EVENT International in 2008. EVENT International is the organiser of the "Salon du Chocolat" in Paris every year and the International Cocoa Awards (ICA) ceremonies. The CoE/ICA was partially supported by the project: "Cocoa of Excellence: Unravelling and celebrating diverse flavour qualities of cocoas to promote market differentiation" from Oct. 2009 to Sept. 2011, funded by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) supervised by the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). The partners in the Cocoa of Excellence CFC/ICCO project were Bioversity International (Project Executing Agency), CIRAD, Event International, ICCO, the Alliance of Cocoa Producing Countries Cocoa (COPAL), the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), Mars Inc., Barry Callebaut, Belcolade and Cacao Atlanta (joined in 2011) with contributions in kind from the Cocoa Research Unit (now Cocoa Research Centre) of the University of the West Indies (CRC/UWI) and ICAM. A total of 152, 147 and 119 bean samples were provided by individual farmers or farmers' organizations from 20, 19 and 22 cocoa producing countries to participate in the CoE/ICA in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. Liquors were elaborated by CIRAD (2009 and 2010) and Mars (2011) from all samples, using agreed standard procedures. These liquors were characterised first by a Jury of International Expert for basic flavours (acidity, bitterness and astringency), for "positive" flavours (cocoa, fresh fruits, brown fruits, floral, nutty, sweetness, spicy and woody) and for "overall preference". The best 50 liquors from this first assessment were transformed into chocolates according to an agreed protocol and nominated for the ICA's at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The 50 chocolate samples were evaluated by a second Jury comprised of approximately 20 chocolate professionals. ICA awards were attributed to samples from