Laos Coffee: A Detailed Guide

Despite ideal coffee growing conditions, Laos has yet to become a specialty coffee producer. This is primarily a result of its tumultuous history, and as peace continues, we see increasingly high-quality coffee from the country. 

If you want to get in on the ground floor of an up-and-coming specialty coffee region, read this Laos coffee guide.

A Complete Guide to Laos Coffee Production

Coffee is a primary economic driver in Laos, the fifth largest export and a significant source of tourist dollars. Keep reading to learn more about the country’s past, present, and future coffee production.

If you’re curious, you can also read about some of the coffee beans we highly recommend.

The Rich History of Laos Coffee

People brought the first few coffee plants to Laos in the early 20th century during French colonial times. French colonists began coffee farming in the north before they realized the Bolaven Plateau of southern Laos offered near-perfect growing conditions. By the 1930s, annual Arabica production was a substantial 5000 tonnes.

Then a series of events decimated the industry. First, World War II caused many French colonists to flee. This was soon followed by the “Great Frost” of 1949 and an epidemic of coffee leaf rust. By the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, people mostly abandoned coffee production.

The last few decades have seen a slow rebuilding of the industry. Laos exported over 20,000 tonnes of coffee beans in the first half of 2020, double the amount of the year before, according to Lao Coffee Association chief Sivixay Xayaseng (1).

This is the start of an exciting era for Laotian coffee farmers and specialty coffee lovers.

The Bolaven Plateau

The Bolaven Plateau is Laos’s major coffee farming region, responsible for 95% of production. It is located over 1000 meters above sea level and offers a cool climate and ample rainfall. Its volcanic soils provide rich minerals ideal for growing Arabica plants.

Sadly, the Bolaven Plateau was heavily bombarded during the wars and remained the site of substantial unexploded ordnance. Farmers risk their lives to make a living growing coffee plants.

Laos Coffee Varieties and Flavours

Laos produces approximately 30,000 tonnes of coffee annually, about one-third of Arabica beans and the rest of Robusta (2). Initially, French colonists grew only Arabica plants of the Bourbon and Typica varieties, similar to Taiwan coffees. But following years of frost and disease, farmers introduced Robusta and the rust-resistant Robusta-Arabica hybrid, Catimor. 

Laos produces Robusta coffee, which is among the best in the world. It is one of few places where Robusta is grown at high elevation, yielding sweeter and more complex flavours.

Producers are abandoning the heavily fertilized monocultures of the past in favor of small-scale organic farming methods. This benefits both growers and consumers, says Vincent Vire of the UN (3).

Laos coffee is robust, full-bodied, and high in caffeine. It is low in acidity and has bold flavours of bittersweet chocolate and toasted cereals, and it resembles Indian coffee and earthy coffee from Sumatra, Indonesia. 

Coffee Cultures in Laos

Laos has a fledgling specialty coffee culture, with a few cafes sprouting up in larger cities. But they are geared more toward tourists and ex-pats. 

Most Laotians drink instant Laos Dao 3-in-1 coffee at home. Or they brew very strong coffee, served with sweetened condensed milk. Iced milk coffee is a typical coffee drink sold at street stands.

Top Lao Coffee Beans in 2023

There are few options for buying Laos coffee beans as the industry is still young. Here are three suggestions for the whole Laos coffee experience.

image	product	details
	Velo Coffee Carbonic Maceration Laos	roast not specified Chocolate, pretzels, malt Espresso, French press	click to check price
	Malongo Laos Bolaven Plateau	roast not specified Fruity Filter, Moka pot	CLICK TO CHECK PRICE

1. Velo Coffee Carbonic Maceration Laos

Specifications

• Roast level: not specified

• Tasting notes: Chocolate, pretzels, malt
• Brew: Espresso, French press

click to check price

You’ve most likely heard of natural, washed, honey processing, and even wet hulling methods of processing coffee. But there’s an alternative known as carbonic maceration, which has been adapted from winemaking.

With these beans sourced from the Bolaven Plateau, the process develops a sweet and savoury palate of chocolate-covered pretzels and malt with a slightly spiced finish.

2. Malongo Laos Bolaven Plateau

Specifications

• Roast level: not specified

• Tasting notes: Fruity
• Brew: Filter, Moka pot

CLICK TO CHECK PRICE

The Bolaven Plateau is prime coffee growing territory, blessed with high altitudes, rich soil and a unique climate. However the logistics of growing coffee here are not so ideal, which is why Malongo works directly with a local cooperative to source their coffee.

This allows more than 1,800 farming families from 55 different villages to their crops to market, with this fair trade and certified organic coffee. It’s a 100% Arabica mix of Typica and Catimor, with a strong aroma, medium strength and an overall fruity profile.

The Verdict

The Laos specialty coffee industry is still underdeveloped following years of war, but it has tremendous potential. The Bolaven Plateau is blessed with rich soils and high altitudes needed to grow high-quality coffee. Don’t sleep on Laos coffee if you want to be a trendsetter.