We are humbled and honored to receive such recognition," it added. "After 100 years of hard work and four generations dedicated to this product, achieving such greatness with a company 13,000km away in Japan feels unbelievable. We are beyond grateful and honored. On behalf of the Lamastus family and Panama, we cannot express our thanks enough."
Though really, this sale comes as little surprise to those who know Panamanian coffee best.
"I think this was easily the most competitive year ever," Manuel Barsallo, Panamanian coffee expert and head of quality control, processing, and sales for Café Don Benjie, says. "In Panama, we're not going for quantity. We're going for quality."