Lanna Coffee Company: House Blend
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Rating: 88/100 Roast: Medium dark Body: Rounded, smooth Acidity: Low Notes: Dark chocolate, cherry Aroma: Vanilla, nutmeg |
It’s wonderful that the Integrated Tribal Development Program (ITDP) and Lanna Coffee could be part of the pioneering in assisting the resource-poor hill tribes of northern Thailand. The farmers now have sustainable incomes for their families as we continue to help coffee farmers reach international coffee standards as more markets are found. But, most importantly to give them an alternative other than growing opium.”
- Michael and Marlene Mann, Lanna Coffee Co.
- Michael and Marlene Mann, Lanna Coffee Co.
Washed process (PC: Lanna Coffee Co.)
Fifty-five years ago, Richard and Marlene Mann started the Integrated Tribal Development Program (ITDP), with the goal of creating a sustainable future for the hill tribal people of Northern Thailand. Today, over 150 villages grow coffee owned by the villagers who now sell their coffee at up to twice the Fair Trade value price. Lanna Coffee Co. was founded to sell the villagers' coffee to an international market, promoting the holistic approach the company and farmers use to achieve the best quality product they can. Their coffee is of the Catimor varietal and grows between elevations of 3800 and 4300 feet. Lanna also uses a honey processing wash method which ferments for the next 1-2 days.
Honey processing (PC: Los Lajones Estate)
This roast is definitely on the darker side in comparison to the last few weeks' Burundian, Colombian, and Kenyan coffees, but I enjoyed the Thai's dense and balanced flavor profile. When I first saw the beans, I was surprised at their relatively large sizes. After doing a bit more research, I found that most (99%, according to Thailand's Chiang Mai University)1 of the coffee exported from Thailand, specialty or not, is of the Robusta species, known for a larger crop with low acidity but high bitterness. However, Bryan Feil at Lanna let me know that thkey only produce Arabica coffee, a pleasant surprise and deviation from the norm in the country. Lanna Coffee also uses a honey process method, a regional favorite among Thai coffee producers.
I received this coffee from Lanna along with their Artisan roast, and am quite pleased with both. These coffees are the first Thai specialty coffees I have brewed. From the first sip, I was nostalgically reminded of coffee from a very different region that I tried years ago while traveling: Belize. Both coffees have a distinct, front-heavy yet pleasantly harmonious flavor combination of cherry and dark chocolate. Both Thailand and Belize are well-known for their cherry forests as well as developed chocolate exports. However, the aroma on Lanna's House Blend was quite unique; I could detect a distinct vanilla aroma from smelling the grounds even before adding water. The aftertaste was a bit on the bitter side, but I noticed some spicy notes, possibly including nutmeg or clove.
I received this coffee from Lanna along with their Artisan roast, and am quite pleased with both. These coffees are the first Thai specialty coffees I have brewed. From the first sip, I was nostalgically reminded of coffee from a very different region that I tried years ago while traveling: Belize. Both coffees have a distinct, front-heavy yet pleasantly harmonious flavor combination of cherry and dark chocolate. Both Thailand and Belize are well-known for their cherry forests as well as developed chocolate exports. However, the aroma on Lanna's House Blend was quite unique; I could detect a distinct vanilla aroma from smelling the grounds even before adding water. The aftertaste was a bit on the bitter side, but I noticed some spicy notes, possibly including nutmeg or clove.
PC: Malala Coffee
In order to cut back on some of the bitterness I noticed in the first few cups, I tested a few different brewing methods. The French Press really brought out the coffee's chocolate character, but did not help in reducing bitterness. I found similar results with my espresso machine and Aeropress (the espresso shot I pulled with this coffee was a marvelous mahogany color!). The Chemex brew revealed the best of this coffee, with low acidity, medium-low bitterness, and delicate nutty notes behind cherry and chocolate flavors. Overall, I was very pleased with the consistency and balance of this coffee; I definitely recommend it as a welcome prequel to amazing specialty coffees from Thailand in the future!
Thanks to Lanna Coffee Co. for sending these roasts over for review; check out their website here, or click on their company logo to the left. You can pick up a bag of this coffee on their website for just $14.99 with their delivery subscription service; feel free to take a look at their products and blog as well. Stay tuned for that article, as well as more coffee from our Roaster of the Month, D'Origen Coffee next week!
1 Coffee Production Status and Potential of Organic Arabica Coffee in Thailand (Pongsak Angkasith, Chiang Mai University)
http://www.journal.au.edu/au_techno/2002/jan2002/article3.pdf
