LAO COFFEE "The best coffee in the world" and TEA

January 12, 2013

Ask any So. Lao Bolavan Plateau small or giant coffee farmer and they will tell you their Lao Arabic and Robusta coffees are ‘the best in the world’.  Perfect growing conditions with cool mountain temperatures and frequent rain, make it ideal for producing coffee, tea, bananas, pineapple and a variety of vegetables.

Coffee was introduced to the Paksong area by the French in the 1920’s but abandon when they left Laos.  Within the last 10-15 years, the industry has had a leading revitalization with major investments who export Lao coffee.  Knowing the fertility of the region long before the large growers ‘came to town’, local villagers continue to grow coffee and staples.  I enjoy Lao coffee mixed with Milo, serviced in a small glass with sweeten condensed milk, the Lao way.  Iced Lao coffee is even better.

Robusta coffee is considered excellent but lesser quality than the prized Arabic coffee. White clustered blossoms perfume the air with a light jasmine smell.  Grown on ruffled leave trees, berries/beans are hand picked when red after meticulously selected, dried and processed.  Most Bolovan Plateau products are organically grown, Lao style.

While coffee is prevalent in the region, a variety of teas are also grown.  Tea has been grown in this area for 100’s of years by the Chinese for the Imperial Family.  Today, farmers are producing a variety of green, oolong and black quality teas.  Both Lao coffee and tea are available in the US

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