Organic Coffee Farm Life with Masaki Tashiro

Under the banyan tree in the courtyard, a table draped in a Yunnan batik blue-flower cloth holds brewing tools. Workers from the coffee estate sit here during afternoon breaks, sipping freshly harvested coffee. The scene captures what many coffee enthusiasts wonder: what’s daily life really like on an organic coffee farm? Masaki Tashiro shares his lived experience.

The answer lies in a pesticide-free system, daily farm checks, and harvests between September and February—when climbing vines of mountain flowers scent the air alongside freshly brewed coffee.

Life Under the Banyan Tree

Every afternoon, workers gather beneath a banyan tree in the farmyard. On a table covered with a traditional Yunnan batik cloth printed with blue flowers, they brew and drink coffee harvested that very year. The air carries the rich aroma of fresh coffee, mingling with the sweet scent of mountain flowers in February. 'It’s intoxicating,' says Tashiro.

The Daily Work on the Farm

The farm lies six kilometers from Tashiro’s home. He makes the trip once or twice daily to inspect both the coffee cherries picked and the growth status of the trees. The harvest season runs from September to February—the busiest time of year. Because the farm follows organic practices, pests and diseases cannot be treated with chemicals. Every issue must be handled manually, greatly increasing labor needs to maintain healthy trees without pesticides.

People of the Farm

About a dozen workers tend the farm, some living in small houses on the hillside slopes. Most belong to the Miao or Dai ethnic groups. They wear traditional embroidered clothing as they pick coffee, bright patterns visible among the green rows—like 'flowers blooming in the bushes.' They drink a local herbal tea made from ‘orange grass,’ a citrus-scented plant that grows near coffee trees. This tea, common among people living near the Gaoligong Mountains, isn’t found in markets, but Tashiro enjoys it too. He says its deep roots enrich the soil in ways that help young coffee trees resist disease.

Sustainable Farm Inputs

The workers also raise chickens and pigs. Tashiro’s daughter especially loves visiting the pigpen. Manure isn’t applied raw but is composted and mixed into a custom ‘diet’ for the coffee trees. This includes EM (effective microorganisms), coffee husks, coffee chaff, rapeseed meal (leftover from oil pressing), and charcoal fragments. January and February are prime months for preparing this mix. Tashiro’s wife creates cartoon guides to explain the fertilizer process, turning complex biology into something easy to grasp. She emphasizes that these techniques aren't just for coffee—they help teach local communities about broader organic farming.

The Children and the Coffee Trees

During harvest, workers carry baskets of ripe red cherries back to the yard. Tashiro’s daughter plays among coffee tree saplings that grow as tall as she does. Her mother tells her, 'Each little tree is like your friend. Take care of them.' The season brims with both labor and joy, all set against the backdrop of brewing coffee aromas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the organic coffee farm that Masaki Tashiro worked on located?

The farm is in Yunnan, China, likely in or near the Gaoligong Mountain area, based on references to the region and local ethnic groups such as the Miao and Dai.

What months constitute the coffee harvest season on the farm?

The harvest season runs annually from September to February, making it the busiest time for picking and farm maintenance.

How does the farm manage pests and diseases without using pesticides?

Pests and diseases are managed manually since chemical pesticides are prohibited. The farm employs organic methods such as careful tree monitoring, pruning, and sanitation to maintain plant health.

What kinds of natural fertilizers are used on the organic coffee farm?

The farm uses a mixture of EM (effective microorganisms), coffee husks, coffee chaff, rapeseed meal (from oil pressing), charcoal fragments, and composted manure from chickens and pigs—all prepared without synthetic chemicals.

What role do the local ethnic minority workers play on the farm?

Most workers belong to the Miao or Dai ethnic groups. They wear traditional clothing, pick coffee, and follow local customs such as drinking orange grass tea, which is also believed to benefit the soil.

What is the significance of orange grass tea mentioned in the article?

Orange grass tea is a locally grown herbal tea with a natural citrus aroma, traditionally consumed by people near the Gaoligong Mountains. It’s not commercially available, but is valued by workers and Tashiro for its taste and its role in promoting soil health.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Organic Farm Fans

Explore FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for a bright, floral cup reminiscent of high-altitude organic farms, with notes of bergamot and jasmine. Pair it with Yirgacheffe for lemon zest and stone fruit brightness, or try the Brazil Queen Manor for a balanced nutty profile with milk chocolate undertones. All are grown using sustainable methods. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.