Thailand - Meuang Khong
We roast and ship Monday - Friday.
Orders received before 9am typically ship same day.
Couldn't load pickup availability
Technical Information
Producer: Various small-holder producers
Region: Chaing Mai, Thailand
Harvest: December to February 2025
Varietal(s): Typica and Caturra
Process: Fully Washed
Altitude: 1400 masl
Importer: Living Free Coffee
Agrton Gourmet Color: 108 (light)
Coffee Story
In the hills around Chiang Mai, small coffee farms—often just a hectare or two—are cultivated by Akha, Lisu, Karen, and other indigenous Thai communities, collectively known as the chon phao phuen mueang. The coffee is typically grown under the shade of fruit trees and native hardwoods, creating a diverse and sustainable environment.
Arabica coffee was introduced to the region a few decades ago as part of programs aimed at replacing opium cultivation. The high elevation, cool climate, and fertile soils proved well-suited to the crop, and farmers incorporated it into traditional mixed-crop systems that maintain soil health and biodiversity.
During harvest season, cherries are picked by hand in multiple passes to ensure only ripe fruit is collected. Processing methods vary, with some farmers drying the cherries whole on bamboo racks, while others use small-scale equipment to produce washed coffees. These approaches emphasize quality while relying on resources available locally.
Coffees from the region are often bright and clean, with delicate floral or fruit notes. The combination of climate, elevation, and careful farming practices has positioned Chiang Mai’s hill tribe coffees as distinctive offerings in the specialty coffee market.
Collapsible content
Varietal
Typica
Typica is one of the oldest cultivated Arabica varieties, first carried from Ethiopia through Yemen and into Latin America by colonial trade. Its tall, elegant trees produce modest yields, but the coffee has long been prized for clarity and refinement in the cup. Expect a clean sweetness, delicate florals, and a balanced acidity that reflect Typica’s role as the foundation for many of the world’s most recognized coffees.
Caturra
Caturra was first identified in Brazil as a natural mutation of Bourbon and quickly spread throughout Latin America for its compact growth and higher productivity. Its shorter stature allows for denser planting and easier harvesting, while its cup profile carries much of Bourbon’s round body and sweetness, often with approachable fruit and cocoa notes. Though more susceptible to disease, Caturra remains a cornerstone variety, shaping the flavor and history of coffee across the region.
Processing
In northern Thailand, the washed process is carried out with careful attention to detail, reflecting both the region’s agricultural traditions and its newer role in specialty coffee. Cherries are selectively harvested, then pulped and fermented in cool mountain water before being washed clean of their mucilage. The coffee is dried slowly on raised beds, where the cooler nights and humid mornings help preserve clarity and balance in the cup. This approach highlights the highland terroir, producing coffees with bright citrus, delicate fruit, and a structured sweetness that speak to Thailand’s emerging place on the global coffee stage.
Terroir
Northern Thailand’s highlands form the backbone of the country’s coffee industry, spanning Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and neighboring provinces. Coffee was first introduced here in the mid-20th century as part of crop-replacement programs, and over time it has developed into a growing specialty sector.
Producers across the region use a mix of traditional practices and modern processing methods to produce coffees that are clean, sweet, and increasingly recognized for their distinct profiles. Together, these highland provinces represent the foundation of Thailand’s reputation as a coffee origin.