Introduction:At the 2022 Alishan Estate Coffee Competition judging and auction event, a new record high was set for Taiwanese green bean auctions. The sun-dried category Grand Prix lot sold for NT$520,000 per 5kg, won by the Lion Group, far surpassing the Geisha category Grand Prix at the same event. This article delves into how this non-Geisha coffee batch earned its place among the elite, detailing the judging process, bidding highlights, and the rising momentum of Taiwan’s specialty coffee scene.
On May 11, 2022, the Alishan Estate Coffee Elite Exchange Competition and Green Bean Matching Event officially entered its judging phase. This gathering of industry professionals was not only a rigorous evaluation of locally grown Alishan coffee but also became a barometer for the high-end market. This year’s competition stipulated that all entries must be grown in Alishan and were categorized by processing method: washed, sun-dried, honey, and Geisha. Participants were required to provide both in-shell and dehulled beans, which were then roasted uniformly by the organizers to ensure consistent judging conditions.
After roasting, 15 Q-Graders certified by CQI (Coffee Quality Institute) conducted blind cuppings using professional evaluation forms based on SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) international cupping standards. Only green beans scoring 80 points or above overall qualified for the auction the following day, where their market value would be put to the test. Judging criteria included aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body, and overall balance—each factor influencing the final score and market positioning.
The next day at the auction, attention quickly focused on the sun-dried category Grand Prix—the coffee beans from Taiwan’s Tsou Chu Garden. The lot started at NT$60,000 per 5kg, with enthusiastic market response driving prices rapidly upward. Even as the bid reached NT$400,000, two groups of buyers remained locked in fierce competition. Ultimately, Taiwan’s renowned travel group Lion won the bid at NT$520,000 (approximately RMB 118,000), not only breaking its own record from the previous year but also setting a new high for Taiwanese green bean auctions.
Notably, this sun-dried coffee that commanded such a sky-high price was not from the famed Geisha variety. Yet, without being Geisha, it approached—or even rivaled—the price of top-tier Geisha. The market widely recognizes Panama’s Hacienda La Esmeralda’s Red Label Geisha as one of the world’s most expensive coffees, priced at around RMB 20,000 per kg, or roughly RMB 110,000–120,000 for 5kg—almost on par with this sale. Meanwhile, the Geisha category Grand Prix ultimately closed at NT$320,000 (approximately RMB 73,000) per 5kg, while the washed and honey categories sold for NT$100,000 and NT$50,000 per 5kg, respectively.
Regarding this outcome, the manager of Tsou Chu Garden was not surprised. In fact, the same estate also produced the lot that Lion Group won for NT$430,000 last year. A representative of the group noted that Lion, in high-end service settings such as the Taiwan Railways “Mingri” sightseeing train, consistently strives to deliver the highest-quality coffee experience. The Alishan coffee introduced last year received widespread acclaim, prompting the group to bid again this year, demonstrating its confidence in Taiwan’s specialty coffee.
Industry analysts point out that in recent years, international green bean prices have continued to rise, compounded by soaring shipping costs and unstable schedules, often resulting in imported beans arriving with diminished freshness and flavor. In contrast, Alishan coffee has steadily improved in cultivation techniques, post-harvest processing, and quality control, now reliably producing green beans that meet international specialty standards. More high-end consumers and businesses are turning their attention to local origins, seeking alternatives that combine distinct character with premium quality.
During the judging process, buyers had the opportunity to preview and evaluate each category’s green beans before the auction, gaining insight into their flavor profiles and processing traits before bidding on preferred lots. This arrangement not only elevated the professionalism of the auction but also enabled buyers to make more informed decisions based on actual cupping experiences. For Taiwan’s coffee industry, this bidding event marked not just a breakthrough in price but also a significant milestone in quality recognition and market positioning.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
