Myanmar Coffee Beans – All You Need To Know About Coffee Here

Myanmar is a rising star in the world of specialty coffee. Arabica was first introduced to Burma in 1885 by British colonialists, around the same time that the first coffee trees arrived in Latin America. But the small Asian country had no chance of gaining the same momentum for development that turned the New World into the world’s coffee center. Decades of political unrest, a military dictatorship and one of the world’s longest civil wars have frozen Myanmar’s coffee culture for quite some time.

For many years, Myanmar farmers have grown very low-quality coffee in small quantities and sold it through unofficial channels to neighboring China, Laos, and Thailand. The country first opened to international trade in 2014 and almost immediately became a rising star in the world of specialty coffee.

Myanmar is a rare Asian country that dominantly grows Arabica over Robusta (80/20%). The closest neighbors prefer the cultivation of the catimor variety, a hybrid variety bred by crossing the caturra and Timor varieties (selection of robusta), which provides high yields and resistance to diseases. Along with Bourbon and SL 34, here is the list of varieties that currently can be found in the country:

In this review, we will discuss everything you need to know about Myanmar coffee beans, so if you are interested in knowing more, make sure to keep reading.

Where Does Coffee Grow In Myanmar?

Myanmar’s highlands climate – hot days and cool nights – is ideal for growing coffee. And the relative predictability of weather conditions during the harvest season (dry and hot days) creates excellent conditions for dry cultivation. Although a fairly large percentage of Myanmar coffee, which is produced by large cooperatives in Mandali state, is processed in the traditional washed method.

Quality coffee of natural processing is made by farmers from the state of Shan, the area around the town of Iwangan. It was from this region that the history of the country’s cooperation with local farmers began.

The state includes twenty villages. Each village has forty to fifty households. Most of the residents are engaged in the production of coffee and farmers mostly unite in a community. For example, the community of Ga Nya Nyar village is called “Shwe ta tun” – translated as “Golden Farmer” – and has thirty farmers who together grow, harvest, and process coffee in a natural way.

Top 5 Myanmar Coffee Brands & AlternativesOn Amazon

We have thoroughly searched and compiled a list of the top 5 Myanmar coffee brands and their alternatives on Amazon. The following coffee products can be purchased from Amazon in an easy and comfortable manner. Each of them can be found in the list down below.

How We Rated Them

We pay attention to the following:

• Price
• Company Background
• Taste
• Shelf-life
• Additives

For more detailed information on how exactly we rate the coffee products we suggest in our guides, click here.

Individual Overviews of Our Top Choices

Here you can see individual reviews of our best choices. These coffee brands possess the best quality and definitely deserve your attention. They can be afforded at an average price and the final cup of your coffee will directly be proportional to the costs.

Myanmar Organic Arabica

So, the first on our list is Myanmar Organic Arabica. The main thing that got me attracted to this was the aroma. It can be felt even in a closed pack (through the valve) and once you start brewing, the room will be filled with a very pleasant scent. The taste is great – soft and at the same time rich – there is no excessive soreness or bitterness. I myself have tried adding milk, which turned out to be a great addition to my cup. Additionally, I think that the price for such a volume is very favorable as if you take a smaller volume of similar products, you will discover that the price is much more expensive.

One thing to keep in mind is that you need to prepare coffee immediately after grinding in a coffee grinder, so you get the freshest taste possible. Grinding in advance is not an option because in that case, you will lose 50 percent of the taste. I have noticed that an open package of coffee will make your beans taste a little weird. To avoid this, release air from the pack, twist the top, and pinch with a paperclip. If you drink coffee less than once a day and there are not many of you in the family, it is better not to buy a large bag.

Check Price on Amazon

Volcanica Yellow Bourbon

Another product I would like to recommend is Volcanica Yellow Bourbon. Even if I don’t talk much about the coffee itself, it is already worth considering due to the fact that the coffee is produced by Volcanica – A very trustworthy brand that has been on the market since 2004. I have purchased many different types of coffee from this one and have never been disappointed.

So, this coffee is mostly known for its full-bodied, pleasantly mild, and wonderfully balanced flavor which reflects the authentic taste of Brazilian Bourbon. Coffee beans themselves are grown at high altitudes between 3600 and 4300 feet which influences the overall taste a lot. In your cup, you will discover citric acidity, sweet and smooth taste notes that do not leave a bitter aftertaste.

Additionally, the product is pretty affordable. Considering the quality, you should not worry much about whether it is worth spending money or not. For a 16-ounce package, you will have to pay $19.99. So, if you wish to get the taste closest to Myanmar coffee beans, you should definitely go for this one.

Check Price on Amazon

Ronnoco Arabica

Ronnoco is a fairly well-known company in the coffee market and deservedly so. That is the main reason why we decided to recommend one of its products. These Arabica beans would be a perfect choice for individuals that love their coffee fresh. The long and slow roasting process which the company does for this coffee, definitely brings out sweet and syrupy flavors that can immediately be felt in your cup once it’s brewed.

What I also liked about this coffee is the fact that it goes well with a piece of chocolate, cake, or other additional products. However, if the price looks a little bit expensive, it is important to keep in mind that the package is pretty big! Still, if you do not wish to go for such a big bag, you can definitely check out other options in our list of Myanmar coffee alternatives.

Check Price on Amazon

Sumatra Single Origin Beans

If by any chance you are looking for not bitter, not sour coffee that comes with a pleasant aroma, then considering Sumatra Single Origin Beans might be a perfect idea. The coffee has a rather mild taste, is very suitable for cappuccino, and with the addition of syrup, you get a real delicacy. I would call this coffee universal, as it can be liked by all kinds of coffee lovers – whether you are just a beginner or experienced individual.

I would like to mention the fact that the brewing method affects the taste of this coffee a lot. My personal favorite so far is French Press, however, I keep on experimenting to explore other characteristics as well. The beans come in an attractive package that has all the necessary information indicated on them, and additionally, keeps them fresh for a long period of time. Compared to other products, this might not be the closest to Myanmar coffee but in terms of quality, it won’t be able to disappoint.

Check Price on Amazon

Premium Kopi Luwak

And the last product for you is Premium Kopi Luwak which has a very rich, pleasant, and bright taste. For this product, Espresso is particularly great, no worse than the ones served in expensive restaurants, and maybe even better in some cases (depending on your skills of making a good-tasting cup of Espresso).

One thing that might catch your attention is that this product has a large shelf life. The beans are fresh and their aroma is very pleasing. Kaya Kopi Luwak is extremely fragrant and has a complex flavor profile that is smooth, earthy, and sweet with a hint of chocolate.

You might have noticed that this product is significantly more expensive compared to the other ones. A 1.76-ounce package costs $35.00, however, there is a reason behind it. Due to its unique processing method, Kopi Luwak is a coffee that requires a lot of effort. The Luwak cat consumes coffee berries so the coffee can be produced. The farmers of Kaya Kopi gather the beans after the Luwak excretes them. The outer covering of each bean is then removed, and the beans are meticulously cleaned, sun-dried, and roasted. Yes, we know it sounds weird, however, this coffee is still enjoyed by a lot of people around the world.

Check Price on Amazon

Recommended Machines for Brewing Myanmar Coffee

When asked which coffee maker is better, you need to consider its size, performance, power consumption, noise level, ease of use, and cleaning. Additionally, the brewing method has the ability to affect the taste a lot. Therefore, not all techniques may be suitable for brewing Myanmar coffee. That’s why we have chosen two brewing machines for you that we have tried ourselves – They definitely produce the best taste that will not leave you disappointed.

Espresso Machine – Most Popular Method

Brewing these beans with an Espresso Machine seems to be the most popular method, however, it is not as easy as one would imagine. There are a lot of things to keep in mind, but don’t worry. With the help of our guide, you will have the possibility to master your brewing technique after several tries. You need to have these things at home:

• Espresso machine (obviously)
• Myanmar coffee beans

If you have these, then it means that you can start the process, which looks something like the following:

1. Start by preheating your machine.
2. Fill the portafilter with your coffee
3. Tamp the grounds
4. In order to start brewing, you will need to insert the portafilter into a group head.
5. Be cautious of your time – if you don’t get it perfect the first time, your coffee may taste bitter.
6. Once the machine stops, it means that your coffee is ready.
7. Enjoy!

Read Espresso Machine reviews 

Pourover – Best For a Strong Coffee

And another method suggested to you is Pour-over. This method is very easy and affordable, meaning that your coffee can be brewed in several minutes. Just make sure to grab these things listed below:

• Coffee beans
• Kettle
• Brewer
• Filter
• Water

After that, go straight into the brewing process:

1. Boil the water in a kettle.
2. Place the filter on top of the brewer and add freshly ground coffee into it.
3. Start pouring the water – Just enough to cover it. And let that sit for 40 seconds.
4. After that, start pouring the remaining hot water in a circular motion.
5. Once all water and coffee are drained, you can stir the mixture, remove the filter and enjoy your coffee!

Pour-over Machines

Frequently Asked Questions on Myanmar Coffee Online