A Brief History of Myanmar's Coffee Industry: Why is Myanmar Coffee Affordable? Myanmar Coffee Brand Recommendations

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In recent years, Myanmar's coffee industry has begun to shine on the international stage through the collaborative efforts of the Myanmar Agriculture Department, USAID, the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), and the country's hardworking coffee farmers. When British missionaries introduced the first coffee trees from Costa Rica nearly a century ago, Myanmar's coffee industry was like a newborn chick, but it has now grown into a thriving industry with abundant production. OGS works closely with Myanmar's specialty coffee producers, dedicated to providing high-quality Myanmar coffee beans to roasters to serve customers who want to try different or new producing regions.

Myanmar's geographical location borders India, Bangladesh, and the Bay of Bengal to the west; China, Laos, and Thailand to the east; the Himalayas to the north; and the Andaman Sea to the south. Few countries share borders with such culturally diverse neighbors.

A Brief History of Myanmar Coffee

1885: British missionaries planted the first coffee trees in Myanmar

1936: Myanmar exported 95 tons of coffee

1952: The S-795 coffee variety was introduced near the town of Pyin Oo Lwin in the Mandalay region

1986: The Government of Myanmar (GOM) launched a national coffee cultivation program, importing T8667 and Catuai varieties from Costa Rica

2015: With assistance from the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), Winrock International, and USAID, Myanmar held its first National Cupping Competition in Yangon, significantly improving coffee quality from cultivation to post-processing methods

2016: Myanmar coffee made its debut at the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) annual conference in Atlanta, USA

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), northern Myanmar possesses high-quality red soil plateaus and other soils above 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) suitable for coffee tree growth, along with 1,500 to 2,500 centimeters (59 to 79 inches) of well-distributed average rainfall and the necessary distinct dry seasons for coffee cultivation, giving it the potential to produce the maximum quantity of high-quality Arabica coffee.

Myanmar's Coffee Growing Environment

Several important environmental factors must be considered for cultivating and producing high-quality coffee, including altitude and temperature, rainfall and water supply, soil, aspect, and slope.

Altitude

Altitude affects several key environmental factors, so when determining the ideal coffee growing environment, altitude should be considered a priority factor alongside temperature, rainfall and water supply, soil, aspect, and slope.

Arabica coffee must grow in areas above 1,000 meters altitude, as low-altitude Arabica coffee quality does not meet global market requirements. Myanmar's coffee estates and micro-farms are typically located at altitudes between 1,100 to 2,200 meters, with some remote areas such as Chin and Kachin States growing coffee at altitudes of 2,800 meters.

Temperature

Arabica coffee prefers cool growing environments, with the most suitable daily average temperature ranging between 20-24°C (68-75°F), while Pyin Oo Lwin's average temperature is 19.7°C (67.5°F). If temperatures exceed 30°C (86°F), it may cause photosynthesis in coffee trees to stop. Conversely, if average temperatures fall below 15°C (59°F), it inhibits coffee tree growth, resulting in inferior coffee quality. Since Arabica coffee is highly susceptible to frost damage, proper tree shading must be utilized to reduce potential damage.

Myanmar's Rainfall and Water Supply

The ideal rainfall for growing Arabica coffee is over 1,200 to 1,500 centimeters (47 to 60 inches) annually, and both total rainfall and rainfall distribution patterns are equally important. Pyin Oo Lwin's annual rainfall is 1,400 centimeters (55 inches).

Shade Trees

Myanmar's coffee estates commonly use silver oak trees as shade trees. Besides providing wind protection, silver oak trees serve several other important functions. During dry seasons, the shade from silver oak trees protects young coffee trees from drought stress and excessive sun exposure. Additionally, shading helps coffee trees achieve better balance during flowering and fruit development, and can reduce the likelihood of frost damage. Furthermore, fallen leaves and pruned branches from silver oak trees generate organic matter and nutrients, continuously providing abundant micronutrients necessary to maintain soil health.

Varieties

Several coffee varieties have been planted and tested in Myanmar's main coffee growing regions. Currently, the main cultivated varieties include: SL-34, S795, Catuai, and T8667.

T8667

Country: Costa Rica

Growth Habit: Short

Cupping Quality: Good, with herbal and fruit peel aromas

Notes: Large fruits and coffee beans

S795

Country: India

Growth Habit: Tall, upright, and open

Cupping Quality: Excellent overall performance with mocha flavor

Notes: Large fruits

Catuai

Country: Brazil, a cross between Mundo Novo and Caturra

Growth Habit: Short, dwarf plant

Cupping Quality: Good coffee bean quality, excellent bean size

Notes: High-yield plant

SL-34

Country: Kenya (selected from French Mission)

Growth Habit: Tall, upright, and open

Cupping Quality: Known for excellent sweetness, balance, and complex acidity

Notes: Large fruits

Cultural Introduction

Most of Myanmar's coffee growing areas are hilly and tribal environments. The people working in coffee cultivation farms have lived and worked in these hilly environments for generations. Therefore, they inherently understand the local land and know how to cultivate it to achieve the most perfect production results. Perhaps because most Myanmar people center their lives around great temples, their simple lifestyle allows them to maintain cheerful and friendly natures.

Chemicals and Pesticides

Myanmar coffee contains no chemicals or pesticides. Farmers use natural fertilizers from cattle and chickens, while focusing on sustainable land development, particularly in the Southern Shan State region where the use of chemicals and pesticides is strictly prohibited.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find various famous and lesser-known beans, while also providing online shop services. https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

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Tel:020 38364473