Bolaven Plateau Coffee Tasting – Laos

With its nearly-perfect growing conditions of abundant rainfall, cool temperatures, rich volcanic soils and high elevations of up to 1,300m, the Bolaven Plateau is known as one of the world’s top coffee growing regions and accounts for nearly all of Laos’ coffee production. A trip to this coffee’s utopia will give you the opportunity to learn more about Lao’s coffee production and treat yourself with some varieties of coffee grown in the area.

The history of coffee in Laos began around 1915, when the first coffee trees were planted by French colonists, and after many years of trial and error, successful coffee harvest in Laos was on its way by the 1930’s. The specialty of the Bolaven Plateau is the Arabica bean, which is known as one of the best in the world with a bold things-to-do. At the plateau, you will have time to learn about the entire process of producing coffee, from planting and growing, to harvesting and roasting the beans. The highlight of the trip, of course, it is the tasting of strong coffee with sweetened milk, hot or iced version which you might prefer to beat the Lao’s heat. Not only earn its fame for the quality of coffee, the plateau is also known for its stunning scenery and vibrant ethnic cultures. It is home of numerous waterfalls, which fall over the edge of the Bolaven Plateau in spectacular, thundering cascades. The three most accessible waterfalls are Tad Fan, Tad Yuang, and Tad Pasuam.

So after learning about the coffee plantation, continue to a village of the Laven ethnic minority where you can explore as well as interact with locals and learn more about their culture and lifestyle. End the day relaxing and swimming at one of Bolaven Plateau’s famed waterfalls.