What if your daily cup of coffee could warm your heart as well as your hands? Recent years have seen major advances in coffee alternatives, from organic options to shade-grown varieties to fair trade brands. Now there is another option that combines many of the same principles and puts a face to the reasons for conscientious choices.
Doi Chaang Coffee comes from the small village of Doi Chaang in Northern Thailand. In the past, hill tribes practiced slash and burn agriculture to eke out a subsistence living. Once the land was depleted, many local tribes turned to opium production. However, about 20 years ago, the King of Thailand provided coffee plants in the hopes of redirecting agricultural practices. The result was a fresh start for Doi Chaang Village.
The road has been a long and hard one however. In the early years, travelling to distant markets and dealing with middlemen kept coffee farmers living hand to mouth. However, after forming a cooperative, farmers have seen their profits rise and the community has thrived. Not only has the cooperative developed drying and processing facilities, but they offer a high quality product. Rather than being mixed with other beans, Doi Chaang coffee is a single-origin Arabica.
The entire community of 8,000 people has benefited. Unlike other remote hill villages, Doi Chaang has electricity, running water, a sewage system, school, and medical clinic. Previously cleared sections of forest are being replanted with vegetation. Other crops are also cultivated – such as fruit and nut trees – helping to diversify the local economy. The result is a more stable ecosystem, where soil quality is ensured through natural methods. There is no need for weeding or chemical treatments, and the soil will stay fertile. The entire venture is completely sustainable.
After becoming successful in Thailand, Doi Chaang Coffee has entered the North American market. A partnership provides green beans from Thailand that are roasted and distributed in Canada. The current production is about 300 tons per year, which will increase tenfold in the next few years. The Doi Chaang farmers hold complete ownership of the Thai company and 50% of the Canadian company. This fact means that every purchase will directly fund education, agriculture, and health development back in the village. Most of the villagers are ethnic Akha people with no traditional written language. A minority group, the coffee business can bring Doi Chaang residents to an equal footing in modern Thailand.
Now that’s all well and good, but how is the coffee? Delicious by all accounts, as well as relatively low in caffeine. Organic and shade-grown, ripe coffee cherries are hand-picked and treated to traditional wet processing methods. After drying and roasting, eight different roasts are created. Check out their website if you are interested in finding out more or placing an order.
Photo credit: Stylurus@Flickr.com
