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Laos Coffee: A Hidden Gem from the Bolaven Plateau

Laos coffee beans, grown in Laos, were rarely seen in the green bean trade before the Taiwanese coffee company "Oklao" appeared. Yet Laos's coffee-growing culture dates back to before World War II. In 1927, 90% of the production from Laos's Bolaven Volcano was exported to French companies and sold in Europe. Laos itself is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and the Bolaven volcanic plateau has precious volcanic soil and geography. The French Center for International Cooperation in Agronomic Research (CIRAD) stated in 2002 that Laos coffee beans are among the best in the world. Although Laos coffee is still rarely seen in major international competitions or evaluations, its quality speaks for itself.

Luang Prabang: Where East Meets West

Standing on the streets of Luang Prabang, one cannot help but recall the film "The Lover," with Tony Leung and Jane March—one Eastern, one Western, one mature, one innocent, yet under the whims of fate falling into an irresistible obsession. In the late 19th century, the French came to Laos on the Indochina Peninsula with the ambition of expanding their influence. In only about half a century of rule, 600 years of culture were shaken.

French Coffee, Laos Made

In the late 19th century, the Indochina Peninsula was known as "French Indochina." As the name suggests, this geographic term referred to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos under French rule. In 1941, during World War II, Japan's massive invasion of Southeast Asia ended France's 50-year colonial regime.

Today, the peaceful streets of Laos no longer show the disturbances of competition between Eurasian powers. The Europeans and Japanese who once entered the peninsula with cannons and rifles now arrive with backpacks and cameras, coming to Luang Prabang specifically to search for the past—that touch of lazy, romantic French flavor.

Luang Prabang, seemingly stuck in the last century, is the fourth-largest city in Laos, with a population of over 100,000, yet there is not a single traffic light in the whole city, nor any taxis. Only converted open-air motorcycle tuk-tuks move slowly through the streets. Visitors who are not in a hurry can stroll at leisure.

Almost all the main attractions sit along the main roads, or else you follow the locals and ride bicycles in twos and threes along the streets. When tired, choose a nearby cafe, order a cup of Laos coffee, and gaze at the street. Life in Luang Prabang is about slowing down, relaxing, and sitting to watch time pass before your eyes.

The Essence of French Charm

Coffee is an indispensable element of that French charm, especially since the largest export market for Laos coffee beans is France. The specialty coffee sipped on the Left Bank of the Seine in Paris may well come from the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos.

In fact, in the early 20th century the first people to plant coffee trees in Laos's volcanic soil were the French. Under a mild climate, evenly distributed rainfall, and abundant sunshine, more than 6,000 tons of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans are produced here every year.

Laos has little industry; clothing and daily necessities rely on imports, and the mainstay of agriculture barely covers domestic subsistence. Coffee is the exception—90% of the harvest is exported, with 14% going to France and 10% to Vietnam. Surprisingly, the quality of Laos coffee beans is quite good, ranking among the world's top 12 coffees and belonging to the high-priced tier of commodities.

Laos Coffee: The Local Experience

When buying locally in Laos, there are two brands: Dao and Si Nouk. A bag of coffee powder costs about 2 US dollars. As for what makes Lao-style coffee different, most people might say it has a balanced taste and aromatic flavor. The staff at the shop put it simply: "the brewed coffee is very dark."

FrontStreet Coffee: a roastery in Guangzhou with a small storefront but a wide range of beans, where you can find both famous and obscure coffees. Online shop service: https://shop104210103.taobao.com

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If the balanced, easy-drinking character of Lao coffee appeals to you, FrontStreet Coffee's entry-level specialty range covers the same ground. The FrontStreet Brazil Cerrado Red Bourbon is a classic Brazilian single origin—creamy peanut, toasted bread, caramel, and hazelnut, with a rounded body, no acidity, and a light bitterness, suited to pour-over, moka pot, espresso, siphon, or French press. FrontStreet Coffee's Indonesia Lintong Mandheling is wet-hulled and medium-dark roasted, low in acidity and thick in body, with caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted bread aromas and a long, sweet finish, making it a favorite for those who dislike sourness.

For a Chinese-grown option, the FrontStreet Yunnan Small-Grain comes from Baoshan, washed and medium roasted, with soft nut and chocolate sweetness and a light plum acidity. Each is a friendly, affordable way to explore single-origin coffee the way Laos coffee invites you to—slowly and without fuss.