Thailand
Chiang Rai
Asor Merlaeku and Beanspire Coffee
Asor Merlaeku farm
Catuai, Chiang Mai, Typica
Kenya-styled Washed
2024
Caramel, Blood Orange, Citrus, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, silky, Tea-like
1350 meters
N/A
60 kg w/ GrainPro
SOLD OUT
This blend of Catuai, Chiang Mai, and Typica varieties, processed using the White Honey method, invites us into the vibrant world of coffee production in the Doi Pangkhon community of Chiang Rai, Thailand—a region where coffee farming is steadily evolving and thriving.
This year, we are excited to showcase a standout lot from the farm of Asor Merlaeku, a skilled producer from the Huai Mae Liam village. Asor’s dedication and expertise shine through in this partially fermented coffee, where the coffee is removed from fermentation tanks before the process is complete, leaving some mucilage on the parchment. The result is a cup profile that combines the brightness of a washed coffee with the smoothness and sweetness of a honey process.
This specific White Honey process stands out for its lighter body and delicate flavor profile, achieved by limiting mucilage fermentation. The coffee retains a lighter color and offers a refined taste experience, showcasing the meticulous care behind its production.
Our partners at Beanspire Coffee have played a vital role in supporting the Doi Pangkhon community since 2015. Their collaboration includes the establishment of a shared wet mill in 2017/18, operated by the Merlaeku family, which transformed local coffee processing. With investments in upgraded pulpers, improved workflows, expanded drying areas, and an on-site cupping lab, the mill has elevated the region’s coffee quality year after year.
Thailand’s coffee journey began in the 1970s as part of an opium eradication project initiated by the King of Thailand, introducing coffee as a sustainable crop. Today, farms across Chiang Rai thrive at elevations of 1,250–1,450 meters, cultivating varieties such as Catuai, Typica, Chiang Mai, and SJ133.
Thanks to Beanspire Coffee’s meticulous processing, which includes multiple rounds of density and hand-sorting, this coffee is a rare gem. With only 5% of Thailand’s specialty coffee exported, this lot offers a unique glimpse into the innovative coffee culture of Thailand.
We are proud to share the work of Asor Merlaeku, whose dedication brings this exceptional coffee to the global stage, as part of our continued partnership with Beanspire Coffee.
Learn more about specialty coffee production in Thailand.
Chiang Rai is Thailand’s northernmost province in what is known as the Golden Triangle, the intersection of the borders with neighboring Myanmar and Laos. The region’s high mountains were once the epicenter of the country’s opium cultivation and smuggling routes, but coffee, banana, coconut, and pineapple crops have replaced illicit farming with environmentally and socially sustainable alternatives.
The city of Chiang Rai is the largest in northern Thailand, and both the city and the province have a long history of influence from the various dynasties who have ruled Southeast Asia from ancient to modern times. Recent reforestation efforts have restored Chiang Rai’s mountains, and Thailand’s young generation sees the potential of farming quality coffee as a path to success for landholders. Farms are located close to cities and are very accessible; this proximity expedites the transitions between processing stages and provides quality assurance. The country has built a strong reputation for tourism along its coastal beaches and towns, and Thailand’s coffee farmers hope to build Thailand’s next reputation as a savvy producer of fine specialty coffees.
