Table of contents
Laos
$ 0.8 - $2 per ounce
| Varieties | Arabica, Robusta, Liberica |
| How to Serve | Usually served as instant coffee or Espresso |
| Flavor | Very mild flavor with hints of woody undertones |
| Recommended Machine | Espresso Machine, Percolator, Pourover |
| Good As | Americano, Lungo, Espresso |
| Price Range | $0.8 – $2 per ounce |
| Caffeine Level | 0.3% on average |
Lao is a country that actually has a rich coffee history. The plant was first introduced there in the beginning of the 20th century by French colonists. At first, they experimented with producing coffee in the country’s colder north before settling on the Bolevan Plateau, which has good volcanic soil and a greater altitude, making it perfect for growing coffee beans.
About one-third of Laos coffee output is Arabica, which is sweeter and more valuable, while the majority of the remainder is Robusta – this one is cheaper and simpler to produce. Villagers cultivate a large portion of the coffee. Currently, more organic coffee is available in Laos, which is either sold to bigger distributors in Vietnam and Thailand, or to local coffee collectives for sale in Laos stores. Lao coffee is strong and powerful, with high caffeine content.
Despite the fact that Laos is a coffee-growing nation, most people living in the country prefer powdered or overly sweetened coffee. Laos specialty coffee can easily be found at grocery shops, hotels, and restaurants across the country. Preparing it is pretty simple – In tiny cups, hot water is combined with powdered instant coffee, creamer, and sugar. In this guide, we are going to talk about everything that you need to know about the country’s coffee culture, along with top products for you to taste.
Unlike other nations, Laos grows Robusta coffee at very high elevations (4300 feet above sea level). The high elevation Bolaven Plateau, which contains volcanic red earth soils in which the coffee plants thrive, is Laos’ primary coffee growing location. Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica coffee are the main coffee plant varieties that grow here.
The best coffee in Laos is cultivated on the Bolaven Plateau in the southern part of the country. The elevation of the plateau ranges from 3300 to 4600 feet above sea level. As we already mentioned, the Plateau’s volcanic soil and monsoon rain make it one of the world’s best coffee-growing regions.
The Bolaven Plateau is famous for its cool climate with significant quantities of rainfall. It is important to note that Laos coffee Bolaven Plateau beans are of high grade. Currently, its typical annual harvest provides up to 30,000 tons of coffee, with Robusta accounting for 60 percent of these beans due to its ease of cultivation.
So, if you are intrigued by Laos coffee beans, you might be wondering where it is possible to purchase them. Well, I mostly buy mine from Amazon, as there are a lot of options for high-quality products.
Unfortunately, it is very hard to find Laotian coffee beans on Amazon, however, we were still able to find a few of them, so you are able to discover an authentic taste. In addition to some brands, we’ve also listed some Vietnamese products that are very similar.
As we already mentioned, it is not an easy task to find Laos coffee brands on Amazon, so in addition to Laos coffee, we are going to discuss other Vietnamese products which have a similar taste and are considered high-quality. You can check out the list down below.
We pay attention to the following:
For more detailed information on how exactly we rate the coffee products we suggest in our guides, click here.
In order for you to choose the best possible option, we will do individual overviews of our top choices – stating all the important features about each of them. That way, you will be able to make sure whether a specific coffee brand is worth your time, money, and attention. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the process of discovering the best Laos green coffee beans.
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Price: $$23.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 oz |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Dark |
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Producer: Coffee Round The World |
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Beans: Ground |
The first on our list is Laos Ground Organic coffee. This organic coffee features fruit and chocolate flavors with toned aromatics that shimmer over somewhat earthy bottom tones. If you wonder what is in your coffee, then this brand offers 100% roasted Arabica coffee beans with no additional things such as preservatives or artificial flavors – so, consuming this product is completely safe and you don’t have to worry about health issues. Additionally, the coffee is fair trade, USDA organic, and single-origin.
Typically, Laotian coffee beans are known for their modest body and a blend of gentle citrus and floral tones. I can confirm that this coffee definitely tastes like something that comes directly from authentic Laotian beans. From the first sip, I was able to feel chocolate and fruit flavors – The good thing is that it does not leave you with a bitter aftertaste and is not hard on your stomach either.
A 12-ounce package of this product costs $23.99 – while some might consider it expensive, the quality that it comes with is definitely worth it. You should also keep in mind that finding a good quality Laotian coffee is not an easy task, so that might also justify a high price.
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Price: $$17.24 (subject to change) |
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Size: 21 oz |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Dao |
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Beans: Whole |
Dao coffee is a coffee that comes straight from the southern mountain plateau in Laos – Its volcanic soil formed millions of years ago, is perfect for cultivating unique Arabica coffee varietals. Grown at a height of 1200 meters Dao Coffee has a distinct flavor that is both rich and harmonious.
I was actually pretty surprised by this Laos coffee taste as this is a pleasantly smooth-tasting coffee. It’s not very strong or delicate, but it definitely makes a good cup of coffee. There is a lot of sugar, yet each packet has just 20 grams of powder. The following breakdown is provided on the product labeling: 43 percent sugar, 40% non-dairy creamer, and 12% coffee powder. However, I do not find the product to be as sweet as one might think.
My favorite thing about this product is that it is super easy to prepare. You don’t need any additional pieces of equipment or machines, you can simply make it by pouring hot water onto the coffee. My only recommendation would be not to use a lot of water, as it will affect the taste and your cup will be too watered down.
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Price: $$14.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 30 oz |
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Type: Robusta |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: SUPER |
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Beans: Ground |
The next one is super Laotian instant coffee – this one is 3 in 1 coffee with sugar and creamer. The notion of a 3-in-1 coffee seems like a pretty simple creation now, yet it revolutionized coffee drinking and is still the primary and favored method of coffee consumption in Asia to this day. As a beverage mix pioneer, SUPER is renowned as a master mixer, generating hundreds of flavor variants in coffee, tea, and cereal mixes.
As for the taste, this one is a smooth and aromatic coffee blended with non-dairy creamer so you are able to feel a well-balanced taste and robust aroma. What I have noticed with Laos mountain coffee is that it actually enhances my energy levels and this was something I definitely did not expect from this one.
A 30-ounce package of Laotian instant coffee costs $14.99, which I think is a pretty good price for the size and quality you get. I believe that this product is an example that simplicity is sometimes the key to getting a high-quality taste.
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Price: $$11.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 ounces |
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Type: Robusta |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: VN Roaster |
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Beans: Ground |
So, this one is not a Laos coffee brand, however, it can be used as a great alternative. The coffee beans come from the Dak Lak area, which is recognized as the “capital” of Vietnamese coffee – meaning that you should expect something that is high quality. The special thing about this product is that beans are roasted in butter to perfection, resulting in an extremely rich and smooth finish.
For those of you who find Arabica beans a little sour or astringent, this high-quality robusta coffee provides a full-bodied, rich, and balanced flavor with a hint of butter. There are no chemical additions to improve it – so this is a healthy product with a massive punch of powerful taste. I would recommend making it with milk – even adding sugar can improve the overall taste. It might be good news for some that I’ve never had a cup of this coffee that was harsh or acidic in any manner.
A 12-ounce package of this alternative to high-quality Laos coffee costs $11.99, which, in my belief is a very good price. All in all, I would recommend this coffee to anyone who wants to enrich their coffee drinking experience.
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Price: $$27.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 16 ounces |
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Type: Arabica & Robusta blend |
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Roast: Dark |
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Producer: Robarica |
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Beans: Ground |
Robarica Vietnamese dark roast ground is a combination of the finest Arabica and Robusta strong robust coffee beans that carry real original Vietnamese coffee tastes. Specialty coffee is one of the strongest coffee products, providing a powerful kick in the morning and complete energy throughout the day. What the majority of people enjoy with this product is that it can be made with any brewing method including an Espresso machine or even a Vietnamese coffee drip filter.
The price might seem a little bit expensive, however, this coffee comes with a big bag (a 16-ounce package). This one makes especially good iced coffee and I would recommend adding some condensed milk as well. However, I also mention the fact that when made with a full-size coffee maker it lost the taste and was kinda bitter – that means that a lot depends on which type of brewing method you decide to choose. If you were not impressed with any of the Laos organic coffee we reviewed above, then you must give this one a try as it is very hard for this product to disappoint you.
So, what happens if you have your Laos coffee beans and want to brew them? We are pretty sure that our readers are aware of the fact that there are a lot of different brewing methods – some prefer to make their coffee easy, with an automated machine, while others enjoy being involved in the process. We appreciate all techniques, however, it is also important to keep in mind that the method you decide to choose can have a big impact on the taste of your cup. Down below, we are going to review the most recommended methods for brewing your high-quality Laos coffee beans.
If you want to bring the best flavor out of your coffee beans, then I recommend going with an Espresso Machine. This method is not very easy, as you might need a little practice before being able to brew a perfect cup of coffee. However, if you are committed, you can get a perfect result after several tries. Here’s the list of things you are going to need:
If you have these things at home, then it means that you are ready to start brewing. You just need to follow these steps:
Some believe that percolator produces somehow over-extracted and bitter coffee, and that might be the reason why stovetop percolators have mostly gone out of favor with coffee consumers. However, this antique technology has certain enthusiasts, and for good reason. When done correctly, it’s a quick and easy method to make a delicious brew. What you need to have is:
Brewing coffee using a percolator is a simple process – simply follow the steps outlined below:
Pour-over is one of the simplest and cheapest alternatives for brewing your coffee. This method is mostly used by small coffee cafes that you might be visiting every day, however, if you have the proper equipment, you will be able to easily make your cup of coffee. Just grab these things:
Once you have all of these things, it’s time to start brewing:
