Taiwanese Coffee will continue to gain momentum in 2025! Report on the latest Taiwanese coffee situation and upcoming events

ORIOWL Co., Ltd. will report on its activities regarding the latest Taiwanese coffee situation and upcoming events regarding "Taiwanese coffee," which was unknown to those in the know before COVID-19 and is rapidly gaining recognition with the recent increase in interest in Taiwanese culture.

The 2025 Cup of Excellence (COE) Awards Ceremony held on July 9, 2025

The international jury was amazed by the record number of entries and outstanding flavor.

The "2025 Taiwan COE Coffee Awards Ceremony" was held on the afternoon of July 9 at the Taipei City Government Enterprise Center to announce the results of the 2025 COE Coffee Competition. The ceremony was attended by coffee industry representatives, producers, media, and coffee lovers from all over Taiwan, as well as a special representative from the Office of the President, demonstrating the government's strong interest in and support for the coffee industry.

2025 Taiwan COE Awards Ceremony

＜From an unknown coffee producer to a world-class presence＞

Although Taiwan's coffee production is smaller than that of other coffee-producing countries, Taiwanese coffee has been growing rapidly in the global market in recent years, thanks to the outstanding quality of the beans themselves and unique refining methods. With a deep understanding of the harsh environment for coffee at the northern limit of the coffee belt (25 degrees north latitude), as well as the characteristics of the soil and advanced agricultural technology in each region, producers have created Taiwan's unique specialty coffees through tireless research and innovation, backed by support from the public, private, and academic sectors. As a result, the company has grown to attract the attention of the global coffee industry.

In 2021, the Taiwan PCA Private Collection Auction will be held in cooperation with the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE), the world's premier specialty coffee organization. In 2023, the Taiwan Coffee Industry Strategic Alliance successfully held the "Taiwan Pilot COE Specialty Coffee International Auction" by inviting international judges to Taiwan for the first time. At the first Taiwan COE International Coffee Auction last year, four farms won the President's Award. The auctioned volume exceeded 1,000 kg, and the average bid price of NT$5,900 (about US$200)/kg set a new record in the history of COE competitions. These results clearly show that Taiwan coffee has established itself as one of the top producing regions in the world.

＜Rigorous judging by top international tasters＞

In order for the "Taiwan COE Coffee International Auction" to meet the strict international standards of ACE, this year's competition was led by Mr. Luis Rodriguez, the head of the international jury from El Salvador, and 26 top tasters from 14 countries including Taiwan, the United States, Japan, Korea, Spain, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Oman.

The rigorous judging process took several days from the preparation stage to the selection process, with a high level of expertise and precision at each stage. Finally, after three tastings by 11 national jury members certified by ACE, 31 farms with a score of 86 points or higher were selected for the final selection. The Top of Coffee farms representing Taiwan this year were then selected after four days of judging by a panel of international judges.

The 2025 Taiwan COE judging

＜This year's Top of the Top Taiwanese Coffee＞

This year, four producers received the Presidential Award with scores of 90 points or higher. The highest scoring coffee was a Gesha (Honey Process) from Chi Tsai Liu Li Ecological Farm in Dabang Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County. The coffee's clear jasmine aroma, citrus acidity, honey, peach, caramel, and tropical fruit flavors were complex and vibrant, attracting the international judges, who gave it a high score of 91.08 points.

Located at an altitude of 1,200 meters, the owner of the farm, Mr. Chuang Chia-Jung, used to grow mainly bamboo shoots and ficus pumila, but due to climate change, his production declined, so he started growing coffee. Under the harsh environment of limited sunlight and low temperatures, he initially grew only Typica varieties, but now he also grows SL-34, Gesha, and Purple Leaf(endemic species in Taiwan) varieties, and has been working to improve his varieties using grafting techniques and genetic testing. In the past, he lost many of his coffee trees to a serious insect infestation, which nearly put him out of business. However, with the help of his family, he overcame this challenge and finally became the top of COE coffee farmer in Taiwan. For Mr. Chuang, growing coffee is more than a job; he is passionate about refining methods and pursuing flavor.

The winning Chi Tsai Liu Li Ecological Farm

＜Praise from the Presidential Office: Further Development of Taiwan's Coffee Industry＞

Mr. Mark Chih-wei Ho, Deputy Secretary-General to the President, said at the award ceremony, "We have not only the world-famous TSMC, but also internationally acclaimed specialty coffees. We are now officially one of the COE host countries, and through this top-level competition, we can introduce Taiwan's excellent coffees to the world. We hope that our guests from all over the world will visit the producing regions and not only taste the great Taiwanese coffee, but also learn about the wonderful story of this land." He praised domestic coffee as the light of Taiwan's industry. Ms. Chen Ying, Legislative Yuan, also encouraged the producers, saying that coffee connects the land, the farmers, and the international community.

Mr. Mark Chih-wei Ho, Deputy Secretary-General to the President

Mr. Lee Chen-Yang, Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, Ministry of Agriculture, also attended the ceremony and said, "While protecting the land, we need to enhance the resilience of rural communities, promote industrial upgrading, and make the countryside not just a production center, but a diverse place that embodies the values of culture, environmental conservation, and local communities. The Soil and Water Conservation Office will continue to support you and work with farmers and industry stakeholders to realize sustainable goals and pursue their outstanding values to show the world the diversity and attractiveness of rural Taiwan." 

Mr. Lee Chen-Yang, Chief of the Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation, Ministry of Agriculture

＜From an "invisible producer" to a "producer in the spotlight"＞

Mr. Krude Che-Hao Lin, Chairperson of the Coffee Industrial Alliance of Taiwan, who is in charge of this activity, emphasized the following: "Taiwan's coffee has been produced for more than 100 years. Taiwan coffee has transformed itself from an "unnoticed producer" to a "top-level producer with an international reputation," thanks to the efforts of farmers and the consumer-oriented coffee culture. The sustainable values and outstanding quality practiced by Taiwanese coffee have attracted the keen attention of the global specialty coffee industry, proving through coffee the exceptional potential and unlimited possibilities of Taiwan's agricultural industry."

Mr. Krude Che-Hao Lin, Coffee Industrial Alliance of Taiwan

The 2025 Taiwan COE International Auction to be held on August 28, 2025

A worldwide simultaneous online auction will be held on August 28, 2025.

Entry to the auction is required in advance to participate. Samples are also available for purchase.

1, Auction Entry + Sample Box

ACE member price: US$395 / ACE non-member price: US$850

2, Auction Entry Only

ACE member price: US$25 / ACE non-member price: US$250

The COE coffee sample box will be discontinued as soon as the stock runs out.

For more information and to enter or purchase samples, please visit

https://allianceforcoffeeexcellence.org/product/2025-samples-and-auction-registrations/

●COE Taiwan Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/cafedelaislahermosa

●COE Taiwan Instagram page

https://www.instagram.com/taiwan_coe/

●COE Taiwan in ACE Official Page

https://allianceforcoffeeexcellence.org/taiwan-2025/

Exhibiting at SCAJ2025 to be held at Tokyo Big Sight on September 24-26, 2025

Continuing from last year, the Coffee Industrial Alliance of Taiwan will participate in SCAJ2025, Asia's largest specialty coffee event, to be held at Tokyo Big Sight for three days from September 24.

At the booth, in addition to offering hand-drip Taiwanese coffee tastings, they will introduce their sustainability efforts and provide the real voices of producers, focusing on various aspects of "Taiwanese Coffee Sustainability" using video materials.

Booth: South Hall 1 & 2, No. 2009 TCL Taiwan Coffee Laboratory Booth

In addition, the following seminar by Mr. Krude Che-Hao Lin, the president of TCL, is also scheduled, which last year filled up quite quickly from the time reservations were accepted.

Date & Time: [Day 2] Thursday, September 25, 2025, 13:00 - 14:30

Venue: Seminar Room D (South Conference Room B), 80 seats [2F, South Exhibition Hall].

For more information and reservations, please visit the SCAJ2025 official page.

https://scajconference.jp/

＜Taiwan Coffee × SDGs＞

In Taiwan, organic farming is promoted in terms of environmental protection, and soil and water quality are preserved by minimizing or eliminating the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. In addition, drip irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting tanks have been installed to optimize water resources. In addition, a variety of crops are grown to preserve biodiversity and adapt to climate change, thus maintaining ecological balance.

Economically, agritourism, a combination of tourism and agriculture, has been introduced to provide visitors with a farm experience, thereby contributing to the revitalization of the region. In addition, the production of high-quality coffee and the development of related products have strengthened farm management and encouraged economic independence even on small farms.

As a social contribution, these farms create employment opportunities as well as provide education and training through farming. By providing employment for local residents and youth, they support the local economy and contribute to the preservation of tradition and culture.

＜Taiwan Coffee of the Future＞

The uniqueness and innovation of Taiwan's coffee culture will be enhanced by its tireless efforts and evolution, constantly adopting new technologies and methods. In the future, coffee will represent Taiwan, and countries that know about coffee but do not know about Taiwan will learn about Taiwan through coffee. The continued presence of Taiwanese coffee around the world will also lead to the continued existence of Taiwan as Taiwan.

Taiwan coffee is a symbol of peace, and the ultimate coffee produced from the experience, skill, and passion of each producer creates a comfortable time for all of us.

Taiwanese coffee may be a revolutionary coffee for a new era, changing the stereotype of "coffee" with its unprecedented significance of coffee existence.

＜Remarks＞

●About ACE:

ACE is an organization whose mission is to support outstanding coffee producers and enhance their economic value through an international auction platform that emphasizes transparency and fairness.

●About COE:

The world's most prestigious specialty coffee competition and auction, organized by ACE, has supported more than 17 specialty coffee-producing countries since its inception in 1999, and has increased international interest and market value in the coffee industry.

●About the Coffee Industrial Alliance of Taiwan:

An organization led by Mr. Krude Che-Hao Lin, established in 2022, aims to improve the independence and competitiveness of Taiwan's coffee industry. Under the guidance of the Agriculture and Food Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, the organization is working to build and enhance the national brand's value.

【For inquiries regarding Taiwan Coffee, please contact】

ORIOWL Co., Ltd.

Contact : Noriko Hasegawa

Mail: info@oriowl.com

Instagram DM: https://www.instagram.com/taiwanesecoffee/

Website: https://oriowl.com/

ORIOWL plans to hold the "Taiwan Coffee Festival" again this year, which has been held annually since 2021 with coffee shops across the country as part of the "Taiwan Coffee Promotion Project.

In addition, the annual farm tour, which has been held in cooperation with a local travel agency since last year, will be held again next year.