Quality coffee plantations in Laos: DAO HEUANG and sinouk

Laos, whose full name is Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country on the Indochina Peninsula and one of the only two socialist countries in Southeast Asia, the other being Vietnam. Vientiane, the capital city, is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Most of Laos is mountainous and plateau, with high terrain in the north and low terrain in the south. Shangliao has the highest terrain and is known as the roof of Indochina. The Xieng Khouang Plateau is known as the "roof of Laos." Mount Pubia in the south is 2,820 meters above sea level, which is the highest peak in the country. The Mekong River is the largest river in the territory. It has a tropical and subtropical monsoon climate, with distinct dry and rainy seasons throughout the year.

Good natural advantages just meet the growing requirements of high altitude, normal temperature, sufficient humidity and drainage. At the beginning of the 20th century, the French were the first to plant coffee trees in the volcanic soil of Laos. In 1930, French missionaries introduced coffee trees to Laos. It is different from other coffee beans in Southeast Asia. It is the only deep inland volcanic plateau without sea. After the fruit turns red, the delicate harvest planning and strict natural sun control, Laos 'special volcanic geology and climate create excellent coffee flavor.

Bolovens Plateau is located in Paksong high-altitude volcanic area of Champasak province, with an altitude of more than 1250 meters and between 14 and 16 degrees north latitude. It has excellent micro-climate, proper rainfall distribution, and a temperature difference of about 10℃ in the morning and evening. It is also the only volcanic ash geological plateau in Laos. Due to climate and growth latitude are suitable. Territory is also a volcanic rock geology. Therefore, the quality of coffee grown in slightly acidic soil can be said to be the most representative high-quality coffee beans in the region. With a mild climate, well-distributed rainfall, and abundant sunlight, more than 6,000 tons of arabica and robusta coffee beans are produced annually.

DAO HEUANG AND SINOUK IN LAOS Two coffee plantations with the highest quality of Laotian coffee are located in the pozzolanic Borophon Plateau. Since 1927, 90% of Borofin's premium coffee beans have been exported exclusively to French merchants and have been appreciated on the European market for nearly a century. Today, DAO and sinouk coffee beans are sold in Europe, Japan, Taiwan and other places, and are loved by local people.

Boonlap Nhouyvanisvong, president of the Lao Coffee Export Association, said: "Quality beans are marketed to more than 20 countries, with Western Europe and Japan being the biggest buyers. Lao coffee is becoming more and more popular with the world, and more and more companies are approaching us for import matters. Laos has a unique volcanic geology and climate, which makes for excellent coffee flavor."

Taste experts comment on Laotian coffee: "The aroma is complex, rich, with the earthy taste of mantenin, almost no sour and bitter taste, different from the poor quality of Vietnamese coffee." According to CIRAD data for 2002, Lao coffee beans are among the twelve best coffee beans in the world.

Lao coffee does not use pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Farmers fertilize it with buffalo droppings. It is truly organic coffee and meets environmental standards.

When it comes to Laotian coffee and other coffee exactly what is different, most people may say that the taste is balanced, the smell is mellow, but the staff of the local coffee shop in Laos simply said,"The coffee brewed is very black."

(Editor's note: Coffee sounds)