Coffee from Thailand

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June 14, 2022
Coffee from Thailand

Thailand has become, not that long ago, one of the fastest and most prominent coffee growing regions in the world. Of course, it also brought along many fans of this kind of coffee, and there definitely is a reason why. We will discover it together, and hopefully, along the way, you will also become part of the already large fanbase of Thailand coffee. So, what are we waiting for?

The background

Surprisingly enough in the context of its success, Thailand is actually a quite late arrival in the world of coffee. It wasn't until the 1970s when King Bhumibol Adulyadej decided to launch a series of coffee-related projects in the north of the country, in order to help the communities switch from opium poppies cash crops to others, like our dear coffee. It turned out to be a definite profitable outcome, as by 1976, Thailand became an official coffee exporter. 

Farming areas

We cannot begin our journey without learning a couple things about Chiang Mai first, the Thailand capital of coffee. Found in the northern part of the country, this region is famous for its Buddhist temples and, well, coffee. Here, we can find the greatest Arabica production in the whole country, which definitely contributes massively to the over half a million 60 kg bags of coffee exported every year. 

Everything began with the project of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which was called Thai Royal Project, and ever since, people around the world have fallen in love with the great flavours of this coffee. Another reason for its popularity are the sustainable roots, which makes the visitors of the country regularly plan a pilgrimage to the beautiful city of Chiang Mai, in order to try the local blend, right from its origin. 

If you are also interested in this, you can find it in places like the Nacha farm, in Chiang Mai. Here the coffee is processed in such a way that it ensures the quality. First, only the ripe beans are picked, contrary to the usual method of picking everything at once and sorting out the good from the bad. Also, the coffee beans are sun-dried, a factor that is thought to contribute to their unique complex of flavours. 

Let's focus on the other regions of growth too. The provinces of Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Ranong are where you can mostly find Robusta coffee. 67.832 hectares of it, to be exact. Here, only one quarter of the produced Robusta is kept for domestic consumption, and it is usually sound in the form of soluble, roasted, powdered, or tinned coffee.

On the other hand, we also have Arabica coffee, which is grown on the opposite side of the country, in the north. It happens in the area also known as the ”Golden Triangle”, which is made up of Burma and Laos. This type of coffee creates a profit for all types of farmers, including the hill people. Taking into consideration the fact that it is organic, it has to be grown in altitudes of 800 to 1200 meters, in the highlands. As for the light, you can find crops in both shaded areas and open ones, which are full of sun. The practice of intercropping can also be found here, and it is mainly done with fruit trees. 

The taste profile

In this case, there is a bit of a debate going on. Some people say that generally, the taste of Southeast Asian coffee is acquired, while others claim that once you get a taste of it, you are indefinitely hooked.  

Also, something that most people agree on is that Thailand coffee delivers a multi-layered taste sensation. This comes from one of the attractive features of these beans: they keep the parchment around themselves, alongside with the pulp of the cherry, so the unique taste can develop. 

Some advice

If you ever get the chance to visit Thailand, it will not take too long before you notice that the locals are die-hard fans of coffee. Therefore, you will find it on every corner, in any shape of form. Anything from iced coffees to small espressos, or cappuccinos, they have it all. 

In this context, it would be hard to believe that the major worldwide chains have not taken the opportunity to open locations here. So, please try to avoid these already too familiar places, and find a local, independent cafe. They are also found every step of the way. If you do so, you will not only support the local economy, but you will also be able to truly say that you have tasted original Thailand coffee. 

All in all, the coffee from Thailand is worth the experience of also travelling there, simply because this country has so much more to offer alongside our favourite drink. The beautiful tourist location will also amaze you with their uniqueness, and what better way to admire them than with one of the world's greatest cups of coffee in your hand? Come on, get your passport ready!

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