By San José, Costa Rica – The Embassy of Costa Rica in Seoul, together with the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer) and the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (Icafé), has partnered with the renowned Sungsimdang Bakery to introduce a unique product: Costa Rican coffee-flavored bread. This delightful creation will be showcased during Korea’s Chuseok celebrations, offering a unique blend of cultural and gastronomic exchange.
This collaboration resulted in the production of 1,300 Costa Rican coffee-flavored bread pastries, each shaped like Costa Rica’s iconic “golden bean” coffee and filled with a distinctive Costa Rican coffee blend. Named “HAN CO MANJU,” the pastry combines the initials of Korea (Han) and Costa Rica (Co) in Korean, symbolizing a fusion of flavors and friendship between the two nations.
The “HAN CO MANJU,” inspired by the traditional Korean sweet “manju,” was crafted to commemorate Costa Rica’s 203rd anniversary of independence and the 62nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Costa Rica and South Korea, established on August 15, 1962. The Costa Rican coffee-flavored bread is more than just a pastry; it represents a bridge between cultures, celebrating a long-standing diplomatic relationship through a shared love for unique culinary experiences.
Sungsimdang Bakery, a prestigious establishment founded in 1956 in Daejeon, Korea, is at the forefront of this initiative. The bakery has created this Costa Rican coffee-flavored bread to support the goal of promoting Costa Rican coffee and fostering cultural exchange through gastronomy.
The launch of the “HAN CO MANJU,” the Costa Rican coffee-flavored bread, also served as a unique opportunity to present a gift to prominent Korean officials, including the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol, the Prime Minister, state ministers, officials of the Korean Foreign Ministry, legislators, state agencies, and other strategic partners who collaborate with Costa Rica across various sectors.
Our shared values and mutual respect underpin our relationship, and we eagerly anticipate expanding our cooperation
Jorge E. Valerio H, Costa Rica’s ambassador in Korea
The growing demand for specialty coffee in Korea, as highlighted by data from Costa Rica’s Mission in Korea, underscores the significance of this initiative. By introducing Costa Rican coffee-flavored bread, Costa Rica aims to capitalize on the country’s reputation for high-quality coffee, positioning itself more firmly in Korea’s competitive market for specialty coffees.
The Costa Rican coffee-flavored bread, “HAN CO MANJU,” is a testament to the power of cultural diplomacy and the shared love for coffee between Korea and Costa Rica.
As Costa Rica continues to enhance its global presence with its premium coffee, innovative efforts like these pave the way for cultural bridges, fostering connections through unique culinary delights.
About Sungsimdang Bakery:
Sungsimdang Bakery, established in 1956 in Daejeon, Korea, is a leading bakery known for its creativity and commitment to quality. By blending traditional Korean baking methods with international flavors, Sungsimdang has become a symbol of culinary excellence and cultural exchange in Korea, now adding Costa Rican coffee-flavored bread to its diverse offerings.
