What's Your Favorite Coffee?

[simcity]

Civet Coffee: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak

civet coffee as well, but I get a mix from a Hanoi company

best coffee bean i bought was in Vietnam

i got a very good bland from Paragon, forgot the bland name, was about 2000 baht a kilo

most of the time, it is just a ok espresso i am having, i try many brands in Thailand, nothing to compare to Vietnam

[SpoliaOpima]

Most people in the coffee trade know that Vietnamese 'civet coffee' is a hoax.

Northern Thai arabica is still better than most VN coffees so far but some of the beans sold by Highland (VN) are quite good.

[Kilgore Trout]

Over the years I saw the price gradually rise, but for the most part I usually stuck with Suzuki. They have a few different grades, all of them decent enough for the price. Good flavour but the aroma not so strong (but enough to get you going in the morn). When I was up north I would usually pick up some hill tribe coffee, good stuff but not always roasted well.

[filingaccount]

"Duang Dee Hill Tribe coffee 100% Pure Thai Arabica Coffee Hand picked and Hand roasted Hill tribe Coffee"

Not a bad brew and it benefits the Hill Tribes. Through an espresso machine, it is quite tasty, strong but not bitter....

100% agreed, it fantastic for the price. 250 grams in the most expensive supermarket around here (Paragon) is only 85 Baht and it beats almost all other coffees on offer. It's great for day-to-day cups. I prefer the "Unique Strong" over the "Classic" even though my current package is classic.

Not only is it hand picked and hand roasted. It is 100% Organic. Other organically grown beans I have seen is at least 6-8 times more expensive and most times not as good.

I do like my selection I have on hand though... Bona is a suprisingly good Thai bean that was found at a small place at Jatujak market one morning. Great for iced coffees.

[NanaFoods]

Duang Dee Hill Tribe coffee sounds very interesting... where to buy it?

Over the years I saw the price gradually rise, but for the most part I usually stuck with Suzuki. They have a few different grades, all of them decent enough for the price. Good flavour but the aroma not so strong (but enough to get you going in the morn). When I was up north I would usually pick up some hill tribe coffee, good stuff but not always roasted well.

Suzuki coffee - option of last resort.

Because its pre-ground, it always tastes stale to me.

That, and they grind it way too finely for a press - more like a perk, espresso, or Turkish grind.

It's really, even too fine for a drip machine, but may "work" at least.

It does NOT work with a press - the fine grinds clog up the screen filter.

[SpoliaOpima]

There are better northern Thai brands than Duang Dee. At the top is Doi Chaang. Hillkoff is also very good. Lanna and Wawee less good but still edging out Duang Dee, IMO.

[Jingthing]

I just watched a very depressing documentary called Black Gold about the coffee growing business and the actual price the farmers get for the beans. It was a few years ago and the coffee market price was very low, not sure how it compares now. (Pennies per kilo!) Anyway it was set in Ethiopia in the regions that grow some of the best quality beans in the world. The coffee farmers were starving, many of their kids were in starvation clinics, they couldn't afford to build schools or clean water for their villages, etc. They were told how much westerners pay for 1 cup at a cafe, they were rather amazed. I think the situation is similar for cocoa workers. Also, only about 4 companies globally including Nestle own the vast majority of the coffee trade.

Edited May 7, 2010 by Jingthing

[bkkjames]

I just watched a very depressing documentary called Black Gold about the coffee growing business and the actual price the farmers get for the beans. It was a few years ago and the coffee market price was very low, not sure how it compares now. (Pennies per kilo!) Anyway it was set in Ethiopia in the regions that grow some of the best quality beans in the world. The coffee farmers were starving, many of their kids were in starvation clinics, they couldn't afford to build schools or clean water for their villages, etc. They were told how much westerners pay for 1 cup at a cafe, they were rather amazed. I think the situation is similar for cocoa workers. Also, only about 4 companies globally including Nestle own the vast majority of the coffee trade.

If you feel so strongly I suggest you get a bunch of thugs, pick a colour and go protest at your nearest coffee shop.

[andrew55]

Oh God! can you smell fresh coffee coming out of the post << addicted hallucinating!

many great kinds are here, wonderful coffee party =)

I've heard a lot about Peet's, have to try it!

someone told me once that Coffeemate is made of coconut oil, I don't know how right is that!

I like coffee and happy you shared me your experiences and favorites =)

keep posting plz , ..

I can smell it too...

Sure coffeemate is off topic. Apologies in advance.

Corn syrup base - you'd be amazed what things are - Lactose and sugar free. Pretty sure Cargill's provide ingredienets - BIG company. More and more of the world becoming lactose intolerant ie Lactase deficient(the enzyme that breaks down lactose- a sugar)

Forgive the digression

Bit of a cretin, but I love the Cappucino cup from the 7-11 with the coffee bag. 25 baht instead of 12. Ah well, only live once and I'd rather get shot out of a cannon than squeezed out of a tube...

Had some of the stuff from the roadside stall recently. The gear with the sweetened condensed milk not stirred through. Better than speed. It was April and I felt like only 2 more sleeps until Xmas!

Speak to you all at 3.00am.

[andrew55]

Further off topic - Just attained advanced member ! Dizzy at this height. Think cup of Twinings to celebrate.

[Chaimai]

There are better northern Thai brands than Duang Dee. At the top is Doi Chaang. Hillkoff is also very good. Lanna and Wawee less good but still edging out Duang Dee, IMO.

Disagree - that is what opinions are about - Wawee edges Hillkoff for me and gives me a viable alternative to Mokador, at a third of the price.

[Jingthing]

I just watched a very depressing documentary called Black Gold about the coffee growing business and the actual price the farmers get for the beans. It was a few years ago and the coffee market price was very low, not sure how it compares now. (Pennies per kilo!) Anyway it was set in Ethiopia in the regions that grow some of the best quality beans in the world. The coffee farmers were starving, many of their kids were in starvation clinics, they couldn't afford to build schools or clean water for their villages, etc. They were told how much westerners pay for 1 cup at a cafe, they were rather amazed. I think the situation is similar for cocoa workers. Also, only about 4 companies globally including Nestle own the vast majority of the coffee trade.

If you feel so strongly I suggest you get a bunch of thugs, pick a colour and go protest at your nearest coffee shop.

I am addicted to the stuff so can't be too picky. It is sad though that the producers of something that gives us so much pleasure can't even afford enough food. Crazy world.

Edited May 7, 2010 by Jingthing

[bkkjames]

I just watched a very depressing documentary called Black Gold about the coffee growing business and the actual price the farmers get for the beans. It was a few years ago and the coffee market price was very low, not sure how it compares now. (Pennies per kilo!) Anyway it was set in Ethiopia in the regions that grow some of the best quality beans in the world. The coffee farmers were starving, many of their kids were in starvation clinics, they couldn't afford to build schools or clean water for their villages, etc. They were told how much westerners pay for 1 cup at a cafe, they were rather amazed. I think the situation is similar for cocoa workers. Also, only about 4 companies globally including Nestle own the vast majority of the coffee trade.

If you feel so strongly I suggest you get a bunch of thugs, pick a colour and go protest at your nearest coffee shop.

I am addicted to the stuff so can't be too picky. It is sad though that the producers of something that gives us so much pleasure can't even afford enough food. Crazy world.

Now you know why so many Reds are protesting about the price of rice here JT. But anyways back to coffee.

Lavazza and Illy are pretty darn good and expensive.

[Jingthing]

I just watched a very depressing documentary called Black Gold about the coffee growing business and the actual price the farmers get for the beans. It was a few years ago and the coffee market price was very low, not sure how it compares now. (Pennies per kilo!) Anyway it was set in Ethiopia in the regions that grow some of the best quality beans in the world. The coffee farmers were starving, many of their kids were in starvation clinics, they couldn't afford to build schools or clean water for their villages, etc. They were told how much westerners pay for 1 cup at a cafe, they were rather amazed. I think the situation is similar for cocoa workers. Also, only about 4 companies globally including Nestle own the vast majority of the coffee trade.

If you feel so strongly I suggest you get a bunch of thugs, pick a colour and go protest at your nearest coffee shop.

I am addicted to the stuff so can't be too picky. It is sad though that the producers of something that gives us so much pleasure can't even afford enough food. Crazy world.

Now you know why so many Reds are protesting about the price of rice here JT. But anyways back to coffee.

Lavazza and Illy are pretty darn good and expensive.

I have heard very little about the price of rice from the red insurgents. Nice try. It's also kind of silly, really. Do you think the Ethiopian coffee farmers are trying to take over the Ethiopian government? What would that do, when the Ethiopian government has almost nothing to do with the global coffee market for raw beans.

Edited May 7, 2010 by Jingthing

[bkkjames]

Perhaps we can call is Blood Coffee then?

[NanaFoods]

Coffee industry has different dynamics than rice - especially in Thailand.

Rice:

Thailand may be unique in this case. I know in the US it works quite differently (eg: co-ops).

Here, growers sell their rice to milling plants before it goes to export or wherever. This is the problem.

The milling plants, are owned almost exclusively by a Thai-Chinese cartel. They currently do not pay the farmers what they should be paying for their rice (significantly below market), and taking more profit for themselves. Either Thaksin had some control over this cartel previously, OR perhaps he is in cohorts with them as a means of stirring up dissent for his own selfish purposes - a very common political tactic.

Either way, what the red-shirts need to do is simply organize themselves, and form their own co-ops so THEY can own their own milling plants together. Their beef with the gov't is wholly misguided. They should be protesting the milling cartel, if anything, and/or forming their own co-ops, instead of expecting the gov't to do everything for them. Their mouths chant for "democracy", but their actions scream for socialism.

Coffee:

most often that I've seen, the grower ferments and husks the beans themselves.

They then sell the raw beans to a roaster or directly to large companies, Like Starbucks.

Currently, I am not aware of any "roaster cartel".

[bobbin]

You didn't say to restrict to what's available in Thailand, so for me it's a very large cup of strong Major Dickason's blend Peet's French press brewed coffee. Black.

First..........I have never had a good cup of coffee in Thailand

Second.......the best coffee is what I got back in the USA: dark beans (any kind), freshly ground, and made in a coffee maker (no fancy machine......no whipping cream, etc) w/ coffee mate added and a bit of sugar.

I like strong coffee....with a great smell.

Having said that, virtually any roadside diner in the USA serves better coffee than you can get in Thailand

Ok, you lost all credibility when you mentioned the fake creamer. You do know it's a petroleum-based product don't you?

That's after you lost most credibility by saying you have never had a good cup of coffee in Thailand.

There are several good Northern Thai based coffee producers.

Duang Dee is 100% arabica. Hand-picked and organic.

[PhilHarries]

Just finishing my morning ga phe den (Trung Nguyen), strong hot black. Later in the day I prefer ga phe da, iced black coffee or ga phe sua da, iced coffee with a dash of condensed milk although many places make it a little too sweet.

Not tried the Civet stuff, even if it's kosher I prefer my coffee not "pre-processed".

[NanaFoods]

You didn't say to restrict to what's available in Thailand, so for me it's a very large cup of strong Major Dickason's blend Peet's French press brewed coffee. Black.

First..........I have never had a good cup of coffee in Thailand

Second.......the best coffee is what I got back in the USA: dark beans (any kind), freshly ground, and made in a coffee maker (no fancy machine......no whipping cream, etc) w/ coffee mate added and a bit of sugar.

I like strong coffee....with a great smell.

Having said that, virtually any roadside diner in the USA serves better coffee than you can get in Thailand

Ok, you lost all credibility when you mentioned the fake creamer. You do know it's a petroleum-based product don't you?

That's after you lost most credibility by saying you have never had a good cup of coffee in Thailand.

There are several good Northern Thai based coffee producers.

Duang Dee is 100% arabica. Hand-picked and organic.

In defense, it is entirely possible for someone to never have a had a good cuppa in Thailand -- especially if that person lives in the boondocks, and/or if a person prefers to go out for a cuppa. Let's face it, when you order coffee at a restaurant, 99% chance it tastes like dog vomit (cheap instant Thai coffee, Nescafe, etc).

The only decent coffee I've had served to me is at a few coffee-bars I've chanced upon.

The best outside experience with coffee in Thailand I've had was at Coffee Bar 99, in Chumphon. Wonderful coffee.

There is also a small proprietor inside Rimping Supermarket (Airport branch) who is an expertly trained barista.

Very good as well. Try the espresso. He even knows how to make that swirly design in the foam, which is not easy.

Mostly, though, the best coffee is to be had at home.

And there are some really good beans in Thailand.

Tejas,

You might consider having a Thai friend contact these folks for you (The website is in Thai),

I am pretty sure you can order beans by mail (note, the image says "Shumporn", they mean Chumphon)

I tried it -- good stuff, one of the best I've had in Thailand - and its from the South.

I've had a number of Northern Hilltribe coffees, and several were quite good, but I must say I prefer the Lom Haun.

[Chaimai]

In defense, it is entirely possible for someone to never have a had a good cuppa in Thailand --

I agree - I did not get a decent cup of coffee until I travelled North.

I like Wawee and Hillkof and will now try Lom Haun and Duang Dee on the strength of this topic.

[powderpuff]

Best I've found. About 90 baht a box. Drink a full pot every morning.

[schmutzie]

Someone said they'd never had a good cup in Thailand. No idea what that person is smoking!

The Coffee Bean Brand 100% Arabica ground coffee is a fantastic blend for non-espresso style coffee (it's the green label one).

They also have a mocha and espresso blend. Bought the espresso one, which is not quite as smooth. The good thing is, it's one

of cheaper if not cheapest of the "gourmet coffees" in Carrefour (read: Non-nestle, non-&lt;deleted&gt; instant 3-1 whatnot coffee)

Have to add that I take it black with a looot of brown sugar.

[Jingthing]

Some background info on the international coffee market. In the film, the starving farmers ARE in a coop! The coop is depicted as working very hard to get the farmers a living wage and also to sell directly to users. However at the time of the film the global coffee market price was so low that they were forced to hold back product hoping it would go up. Also it was mentioned that the farmers would need to get TEN TIMES their current price to have decent lives, and that didn't even include things like motor bikes.

http://www.blackgoldmovie.com/economics.php

If there isn't a serious problem with growers getting a living price on their coffee crop, why do Fair Trade varieties exist that are at least trying to address this issue?

Edited May 9, 2010 by Jingthing

[WorldwideALOHA]

Hawaiian Kona Coffee!!!! = ONO ONO (Very delicious)

Ground fresh and brewed strong, can't go wrong.

I also like the beans from Vietnam that are roasted in butter... the film of butterfat that forms on the top of the cup is awesome!

Aloha

[LifeArtist]

Hey there!

a LOT of data is here! enjoying reading it holding my Turkish coffee , Oh God you know a lot! that's what I enjoy in the web .. sharing experiences ,, even in a coffee cup =)

I am so used to buying coffee beans, roasting them and grounding them at home, or at a store but in front of my own eyes. so I'm not so used to buy packed bags of pre-roasted and ground coffee. you mentioned some brands .. most of them I never heard of in my life!

[simcity]

I am so used to buying coffee beans, roasting them and grounding them at home, or at a store but in front of my own eyes. so I'm not so used to buy packed bags of pre-roasted and ground coffee. you mentioned some brands .. most of them I never heard of in my life!

Bit same as you, I only buy beans, as i ground my own with a Gaggia grinder, that limit my purchase, I did the round of shops few years ago, did not find anything spectacular in place like villa market or other, the best I got was in paragon, i think Suki brand, very good at over 2000 baht a kilo, like to stay around 800 baht a kilo.

I have a friend base in chiangrai, he send me three time different Hills brands as well, did not find them so special.

Against what people can say about Vietnam, it is where I find the best beans until now.

Perhaps with more espresso machine for domestic usage on the market, it will attract more shop selling beans?

[jaideeguy]

Local coffee from the mountains behind Chiang Mai.....just 50k from my home are luckily the best I've found and I'm from Hawaii too. IMHO....Kona coffee is way over rated and over the top with price. I get my locally grown arabica for 300thb/kilo and have it roasted to med dark and simply drip brew it with paper filter and lots of coffee for a delicious strong cup of java to get me lubricated in the morning.

[tb86]

just got back from sumatra.... 3kgs of aribica blend wild louwak.... beat that

[tb86]

Civet Coffee: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak

civet coffee as well, but I get a mix from a Hanoi company

best coffee bean i bought was in Vietnam

i got a very good bland from Paragon, forgot the bland name, was about 2000 baht a kilo

most of the time, it is just a ok espresso i am having, i try many brands in Thailand, nothing to compare to Vietnam

99% of vietnamese civet coffee is a hoax no question about it.. made in a chemical vat that is supposed to represent the digestive tract....if your paying less than 300-500 usd retail youve been had... even then in vietnam its questionable that your getting the real deal either civet or deer, you want the real deal let me know ill provide pics of the lil devils... snacking away, pre and post production , no joke sumatra produces about 1,000 kgs a year max evrything else is farmed...ie bali, or chemicaly produced... vietnam... but i just scored 3 kgs

[NanaFoods]

I've heard about these animal-turd coffees.

For some reason, it just sounds like a Chinese-influenced gimmick to me, along the same lines as deer penis and rhino horn.

I have never seen it or tried it, but it just does not sound appealing to me.