Chiayi farmer wins ‘coffee Oscar’ invite to global auction｜Taiwan News

Some people call coffee “black gold” for its vast market opportunities. Taiwanese drink 2.85 billion cups every year, creating a huge market that is also worth a whopping NT$100 billion for Taiwanese bean production alone. A farmer from Chiayi recently won the top prize at the Cup of Excellence coffee competition, earning a ticket into top-tier international auctions.

Flawless coffee beans are measured out. Even though the brewing hasn’t started yet, their aroma fills the room.

Next to these, Starbucks, UCC, and Blue Bottle beans are all considered cheap. That’s because at this Cup of Excellence competition, the winning grower is to be invited to participate in an exclusive international auction, where the world’s top coffee connoisseurs are to vie over the best beans.

Krude Lin
Coffee Industrial Alliance of Taiwan
At the moment, Taiwanese coffee sells on the international market for NT$30,000 per kilogram. But we think that last year’s prices did not reflect the potential of Taiwanese coffee. We expect we can set a record this year.

This coffee was grown in the mountains between Chiayi’s Zhuqi Township and Alishan. Forty-five beans went through 108 tests. The taste is smooth and floral, earning it a “coffee Oscar.”

Wang Cheng-yuan
Award-winning coffee farmer
It’s floral, well-rounded, and quite delicate. It’s my first time earning an award. Probably the biggest event of my life.

Weng Chang-liang
Chiayi County Commissioner
Chiayi’s conditions for growing coffee are excellent, like in Alishan. It’s a blessing. Our farmers’ skill is also excellent. Among the four presidential awards, three were won by people in Chiayi. I think all the growers should be proud of winning this award.

Taiwanese drink 2.85 billion cups of coffee every year. That’s 200 cups per person on average. Growing coffee is also common, with production valued at NT$1 billion annually. Coffee lovers are breaking the Taiwanese market wide open, and showing the world what it has to offer.

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