2 days ago
Brewing culture: Latin American embassies celebrate coffee heritage in Qatar
Ashraf Siddiqui
In a vibrant celebration of culture and heritage, the embassies of Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica in Qatar jointly hosted a unique coffee-themed event at The Beach Restaurant, Hotel Chedi Katara.
This special gathering brought together ambassadors from Latin American and Caribbean nations, coffee enthusiasts from across Qatar, and members of the public, including locals, residents, and visitors, for an aromatic evening dedicated to showcasing some of the world's finest coffee.
Talking to Qatar Tribune, Ambassador of Panama HE Johnny Mayani expressed his pride in presenting Panama's acclaimed Geisha coffee. Highlighting the country's exceptional topography, Mayani noted that Panama offers ideal conditions — soil, altitude, and climate — for cultivating this highly sought-after variety.
He described Geisha coffee as the most expensive and one of the top-rated coffees in the world, exclusively grown in Panama. He emphasized the importance of introducing Qatari consumers to its rich flavor and complexity, expressing enthusiasm for further promoting Geisha coffee throughout Qatar.
Ambassador of El Salvador HE Milton Eduardo Omana Acevedo also shared his delight at the event's success, emphasising its significance as a platform to unite diverse communities in Qatar through the shared experience of high-quality central American coffee.
He introduced Pacamara, a unique Salvadoran hybrid coffee bean developed through local agricultural innovation, known globally for its superior quality. Ambassador Acevedo noted that El Salvador is already exporting coffee to the Gulf, and events like these are key to encouraging local consumers to seek out their distinctive varieties in cafes and retail stores.
Simon Alexander, General Manager of Lulu Hypermarkets, spoke on the commercial interest in Latin American coffee. Representing one of the region's largest retail chains, he underscored the growing demand for premium coffee in various forms, including beans, powder, and pods.
Alexander expressed keen interest in exploring new offerings from Latin America to introduce to the GCC markets, stating that coffee remains a beloved beverage throughout the year — even during the hot summer months.
The event also featured an engaging artistic performance by Suresh, a Nepali barista and two-time Latte Art Champion in Qatar. Known for his intricate coffee surface portraits, Suresh captivated attendees with his coffee artistry, blending visual creativity with flavor. Having represented Qatar at the Latte Art Championship in Denmark in 2024, he shared his passion for combining art with coffee, further enriching the event's sensory experience.
This memorable evening not only celebrated the cultural richness of Latin America but also deepened appreciation for its world-class coffee among Qatar's diverse and coffee-loving population.
