Yunlin Specialty Coffee Evaluation 2025 spotlight local coffee producers

(中央社訊息服務20251029 16:07:50)The Yunlin Specialty Coffee Evaluation 2025 award ceremony and business matchmaking event were held on July 13 at the Jianfusun Hotel, attracting the attendance of coffee enthusiasts, vendors, and business owners. This year, the top prize (washed processing method) was won by Sung Chih Orchard with 90.375 points, and the top prize (other processing methods) was won by Kuo Liang-chih of Songyue Coffee Manor with 90.875 points. Deputy Magistrate Hsieh Shu-ya (謝淑亞) served as the auctioneer of the top prize winners. After heated bidding, the coffees were sold at high prices of NT$22,000 and NT$25,000 per kilogram respectively.

Hsieh pointed out that 23 years have passed since Gukeng Township held its first Taiwan Coffee Festival in 2003. Over these 23 years, Taiwanese coffee has been continuously refined, with quality increasing in recent years through constant evaluation. Since Magistrate Chang Li-shan (張麗善) assumed the position in 2018, new milestones were achieved through various events, including the excellent results recorded in last year’s and this year’s business matchmaking events. The county government will continue to collaborate with the Gukeng Farmers' Association to ensure the coffee production area continues to develop safe, premium-grade coffee.

Hsieh expressed her gratitude to the jury panel, chaired by Liu Chien-ju (劉千如), for their guidance and assistance in organizing this event. She also thanked the Gukeng Township Farmers' Association for their careful planning, where the combination of the evaluation and the matchmaking event has helped to strengthen local coffee industry's production and sales, and to the coffee enthusiasts who purchased Yunlin’s coffee to share with more people.

Hsieh said, as coffee is a highly personal drink, not everyone will find it delicious just because it's expensive or has won an award. She emphasized that there is a common understanding that when drinking coffee, it must be healthy, and local grown coffee has this advantage. She welcomes everyone to Gukeng to taste Taiwan’s coffee."

Chief judge Liu stated that during the two-day judging process for the 2025 Yunlin Specialty Coffee Evaluation, the judging team tasted coffee from over 50 producers. They concluded that this year’s coffee quality had improved significantly compared to previous years. The competition was divided into two categories: washed coffee and other processing methods. The different varieties of coffee grown, combined with processing and roasting techniques, some exhibited fermented berry notes and tropical fruit notes, earning praise from the judges and receiving excellent results. With top prizes in both categories achieved scores above 90 points, the judges unanimously praised Yunlin’s coffee flavor profile, noting its rich aroma, fruity notes, and sweet aftertaste, resulting in generally higher scores this year.

Director Wei Sheng-de (魏勝德) of the Department of Agriculture, stated that this year's coffee evaluation has modeled after the COE (Cup of Excellence) international cupping standard, using a tiered grading system to objectively and quantitatively evaluate the flavor of coffee. This international evaluation system established standards for green beans and enhanced the quality of local coffee. In addition, the county government collaborated with the farmers' association to organize roasting competitions, coffee evaluations, matchmaking events, and various marketing activities. These initiatives focused on cultivating coffee professionals in production management, processing, and marketing, aiming to enhance public appreciation and trust in domestically produced coffee through these multifaceted channels.

Wei stated that despite a significant decline in coffee production this year due to unusual weather conditions, local farmers demonstrated strong confidence, with 55 products entering the competition. He expressed gratitude to the coffee farmers for their hard work and support, who registered their treasured beans for the competition. In addition to the awards ceremony, the event also included a matchmaking event with the same batch of coffee used in the competition. The top prizes were auctioned, the first prizes were awarded by tender, and other premium coffees were offered at competitive prices to coffee enthusiasts in attendance. He expressed his hope that Taiwan’s coffee shops and the public will show greater support for local coffee, allowing more coffee lovers to discover their favorite Gukeng coffee.

The Yunlin Specialty Coffee Evaluation 2025 results are as follow:
Washed processing method:

Top Prize
Sung Chih Orchard

First Prize
Cherry Coffee Manor
Hsininmao Coffee Manor
Kuo Liang-chih of Songyue Coffee Farm Manor

Gold Award
Su Kan-yung of Yong-shun Coffee Manor
Su Kan-yung of Yong-shun Coffee Manor
Oldwu Coffee Manor
Huaxitian Manor Cafe
Goodfun Coffee Farm
Yuanfu Souvenir Workshop

Other processing methods:
Top Prize
Kuo Liang-chih of Songyue Coffee Farm Manor

First Prize
Kuo Liang-chih of Songyue Coffee Farm Manor
Yeh Pin-hsiu of Shihpi Farm
Kuo Liang-chih of Songyue Coffee Farm Manor

Gold Award
Su Kan-yung of Yong-shun Coffee Manor
Royal Court Coffee Manor
Huaxitian Manor Cafe
Su Kan-yung of Yong-shun Coffee Manor