Before diving into this year’s coffee, let’s take a brief look at the history of Thai Arabica coffee.
Thai Arabica Coffee: A Journey from Past to Present
Arabica coffee in Thailand has a story that connects people, land, and change. It’s not just about beans—it’s about how one crop reshaped communities in the northern highlands.
The First Attempts
Arabica first arrived in Thailand during the 19th century, most likely the Typica variety from Java. It was planted in the east (Chanthaburi, Trat), but the climate wasn’t right, and it never became a real industry. The seed was here, but the time wasn’t.
The Shift to the Highlands
The real beginning came in the 1960s–70s, when the government and the Royal Projects looked for crops to replace opium in the north. The cool mountains of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and nearby provinces proved perfect for Arabica. Farmers planted Typica, Bourbon, Mundo Novo, Caturra, and Catuaí. Later, Catimor spread quickly because it resisted disease and produced well. For decades, Catimor defined Thai Arabica.
Building Identity
Through the 1980s–90s, Arabica slowly found its place. Farmers focused more on production than taste. But the foundation was set: coffee trees rooted deep in the hills, replacing fields of poppy with something new.
The Rise of Quality
From the mid-2000s, the world started talking about Specialty Coffee, and Thailand listened. Farmers experimented with processing, and new varietals made their way into the mountains—Geisha, Pacamara, Java, SL28, SL34, Bourbon colors. Younger generations brought energy and curiosity. Coffee was no longer just a crop; it became a craft.
Today
By 2025, Thai Arabica stands on the world stage. From Catimor lots that still cup beautifully to rare varieties like Geisha, Sidra, and Laurina, diversity is wider than ever. Competitions such as the Cup of Excellence Thailand showcase how far the journey has come.
Thai Arabica is now more than an alternative crop. It’s a story of resilience, adaptation, and ambition—proof that coffee from these mountains can carry both history and innovation in every cup.
📌 Quick Timeline of Thai Arabica
- 1800s → First Typica plants arrive (Chanthaburi, Trat)
- 1960s–70s → Arabica promoted in the north as opium replacement (Typica, Bourbon, Mundo Novo, Caturra, Catuaí, Catimor)
- 1980s–90s → Catimor dominates; production focus
- 2000s → Specialty movement begins; new varietals introduced (Geisha, Pacamara, Java, SL28/34, Bourbon colors)
- 2020s → Thailand wins recognition; Cup of Excellence launches; rare varietals like Sidra, Laurina, Starmaya planted
Why We Source Thai Coffee
For us, sourcing Thai coffee is natural. We were born here, and this is the best opportunity to work directly with local farmers who have nurtured these trees for decades.
We seek old farms established in the late 1960s–70s, mostly first-generation, carrying Typica, Bourbon, Mundo Novo, Caturra, and Catuaí. Located at the ideal altitude (1,200–1,500 masl) with the right climate, these trees have thrived for decades, evolving into local landraces.
You can spot these trees by their unique appearance—they’re old, resilient, and still producing after 30+ years. Many of these farms are now run by the next generation, passionate about creating specialty-grade coffee, and cultivating exotic varietals like Geisha, Java, Nation, and some of the oldest Red Bourbon.
The Farms We Work With This Year
This year, we are proud to partner with a select group of historic farms that have been producing coffee for decades. These farms carry the legacy of the first Arabica plantings in the north and continue to innovate with rare varietals:
1. Saelee, Doi Kord Rak, Chiang Rai – Geisha, Java, Bourbon
2. Numwan, Rotatorcuff Coffee, Chiang Mai – Typica
3. Por Krai, Mae Ton Luang, Chiang Mai – Typica, Bourbon, Geisha
You can read more about the farmers, their stories, and the specific varietals we curated in our dedicated blog post here: Meet the Farms: Thai Coffee Stories.
By sourcing directly from these farms, we honor the land we come from, support local farmers, and bring the true essence of Thai coffee to every cup.
