A low-carbon space

During the competition, Sun, founder of Marus Coffee, designed his presentation stage as a low-carbon themed coffee space resembling a retail cafe. Sustainability was embedded throughout, from trays and cups to beans, milk, equipment, and extraction methods.

Every step followed the Eco Friends circular system: innovative farming, eco-friendly processing, low-carbon milk, and the transformation of by-products into new flavors, ultimately reconnecting with consumers. One example was the menu, made from the silver skin of coffee beans.

"At its core, the Eco Friends Project connects producers around the world through low-carbon practices, building a shared vision for the future," Sun says.

He selected two coffees for the competition: Panama Geisha for the espresso and signature drink, and Colombia Pink Bourbon for the milk beverage. Behind both beans is a focus on sustainable cultivation. At Flying Pumas in Panama, producers use biochar, converting pruned branches and discarded plant matter into organic charcoal to enrich the soil.