Costa Rican Trade and Investment Agency Successfully Concludes 'Costa Rica Specialty Coffee Event'

Costa Rica, the World's Only 100% Arabica Producer, Brings the Strength of Its Specialty Coffee to the Korean Market

Costa Rica's Unique Certification System Ensures Quality Alongside Systematic Management of Environmental and Social Responsibility

Facundo Madrigal, Director of ICAFE, is explaining the Costa Rican coffee industry to the audience. (Provided by Costa Rica Trade Promotion Agency)

The Costa Rican Trade and Investment Agency announced that it successfully held the "Costa Rica Specialty Coffee Event" on June 4 at the Epic Cultural Complex in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The event aimed to promote the excellence of Costa Rican specialty coffee and to expand its influence and supply chain in the Korean market.

The event brought together around 60 key stakeholders from both countries' coffee industries, including the Embassy of Costa Rica in Korea, the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE), eight major local producers and distributors, leading Korean importers, and roastery cafes. Participants not only experienced the unique flavor of Costa Rican green coffee beans, but also engaged in in-depth discussions on practical and organic cooperation measures such as identifying new business partners and invigorating direct trade with farmers.

Jorge Valerio, Ambassador of Costa Rica to Korea, delivered a welcoming speech, stating, "It is very meaningful that Korean consumers are not only enjoying coffee, but are also paying attention to the stories of its origin and producers. I hope this event will serve as a new opportunity for connections and cooperation between the two countries."

The highlight of the event was the specialty coffee tasting session, led by Costa Rican producers themselves. The program included an introduction to the unique characteristics and roasting profiles of beans from each Costa Rican region, a demonstration of specialty coffee extraction, a cupping and sensory evaluation session, and the sharing of insights into the Korean coffee market along with discussions on business collaboration. As Costa Rica is the only country in the world where the law mandates the cultivation of 100% high-quality Arabica beans, this tasting event went beyond a simple introduction and provided a meaningful opportunity to directly showcase the premium quality of Costa Rican coffee to the Korean market.

Event attendees are participating in the Costa Rica Specialty Coffee Tasting event. (Provided by the Costa Rica Trade Promotion Agency)

Costa Rican coffee, renowned for its rigorous national quality control and innovative processing methods, is emerging as a strong alternative to lead the Korean specialty coffee market. This event demonstrated Costa Rica's proactive commitment to targeting the diverse preferences of Korean consumers, while also serving as a strategic bridge that precisely meets the needs of the domestic coffee industry seeking a stable supply of high-quality green beans.

Pilar Camacho, Executive of the Costa Rican Trade and Investment Agency, stated, "The success of this event shows that affection for Costa Rican coffee is deepening in the Korean market, and that exchange and cooperation between the two countries is expanding. The Costa Rican Trade and Investment Agency will continue to actively support market entry, business matching, and the identification of collaboration opportunities with overseas companies in line with our core mission of trade and investment promotion."

Facundo Madrigal, Director of ICAFE, commented, "Costa Rica systematically manages not only quality, but also sustainability and environmental and social responsibility through strict quality control and a unique certification system. Choosing Costa Rican coffee means experiencing its intrinsic values, stories, and Costa Rica's distinct identity."

Meanwhile, Costa Rica's volcanic soils at altitudes above 1,500 meters and large daily temperature differences create an environment that produces dense green beans, resulting in the clean sweetness and balanced acidity that define the identity of Costa Rican coffee. The "Micro-mill Revolution," which began in Tarrazu in 2000, established Costa Rica as the world's first origin of the "Honey Process," and ICAFE certifies and manages the quality of beans from seven official producing regions, including Tarrazu and Tres Rios, at the national level.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.