Incheon, South Korea — Salvadoran specialty coffee achieved a historic milestone in Asia as El Guaje, a natural Pacamara produced by María Elena Ortiz de Méndez, captured first place in the unwashed process category at the K-Coffee Awards. This marks the very first time a coffee from El Salvador has reached the top spot in this highly competitive category. The triumph highlighted a dominant performance for the Central American nation, which successfully placed three of its coffees within the global Top 10 of the tournament.
The historic victory was celebrated during a specialized tasting event at Crocat House in the port city of Incheon, gathering key industry figures including Jemulpo-gu Mayor Kim Chan-jin and Young-soon Park, president of the Coffee Critics Association. “Salvadoran coffee is, simply, special,” celebrated Federico Guerrero Avendaño, El Salvador’s Ambassador to South Korea, who emphasized that this recognition is a matter of national pride and a powerful testament to the country’s competitive edge in the high-end global market.
Ambassador Guerrero underscored that South Korea represents a vital reference market for positioning Salvadoran exports in Asia. He highlighted the strategic importance of directly connecting the product with international roasters, cuppers, and importers. According to the diplomat, events like these allow global consumers to appreciate not only the complex sensory profiles of the bean, but also the traceability, volcanic soils, and the dedicated heritage of El Salvador’s coffee-producing families.
Looking ahead, the Embassy of El Salvador confirmed plans to aggressively expand its footprint across new Korean regions through upcoming cuppings, tastings, and strategic local alliances. By bridging cultures through Incheon’s historic identity, Salvadoran officials aim to transform this prestigious award into sustainable commercial relationships and lucrative new market opportunities, solidifying El Salvador’s reputation as a premier producer of world-class, differentiated origin coffee.