Panama's specialty coffee took center stage in Asia again following the victory of Donghwan Ku, who was named South Korea's Barista Champion on Saturday, using a Panamanian Geisha coffee produced by Lamastus Family Estates.
During the event in Seoul, the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP) extended invitations to roasters, coffee shop owners, baristas, and companies across Asia to participate in World of Coffee Panama 2026.
With this win, he earned the right to represent his country at the World Barista Championship, scheduled for October 23-25, 2026, during World of Coffee Panama at the Panama Convention Center.
The competition was held as part of the Korea Café Show Seoul 2025, one of the industry's most influential events in Asia, where the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP) participated alongside Panamanian producers.
The presence aimed to reinforce the promotion of the first edition of World of Coffee, which will be held in Latin America and will be based in Panama.
Ku's winning routine was based on the Geisha variety, cultivated in the highlands of Boquete by Lamastus Family Estates, recognized for its quality and its consistent presence in international barista competitions.
The World Barista Championship will take place in Panama in October 2026 with representatives from different countries. The event will include exhibition areas, cupping rooms, innovation and sustainability spaces, Roaster Village, and the World Barista Championship.
