MYANMAR SHAN (FTO, Orgnaic): citric, floral upfront, sweet edge, chocolate and spice undertones, hints of caramel.

DESCRIPTION: Direct trade small lots from South Asia, Myanmar! Not often do we see stellar offerings from Myanmar, a great addition to our list.

This coffee comes from the Emerald Peacock Co-Op in the Shan state, bordering China, which is one of the poorest regions in the world. The Co-Op is run by extended family from a minority group that originally farmed poppy.

Torch connected with the Emerald Peacock Estate family through a friendship forged between one of Torch’s founders’ daughters and a girl who was from the family of the farmers. After the connection was made, Torch was able to support this region by investing in the coffee trade so the family could transition from poppy to coffee. Torch has been able to nurture this relationship by offering coffee processing training and training on different farming methods.

Myanmar Shan coffee is being produced organically. The region, particularly in the Shan Plateau, is gaining recognition for its organic coffee production, with initiatives like the Green Gold coffee cooperative focusing on replacing poppy cultivation with coffee cultivation, which is environmentally friendly and sustainable. Additionally, local entrepreneurs are exploring organic coffee production chains, ensuring that the coffee is ethically grown and marketed.

Myanmar Shan coffee is fair trade. The coffee is sourced from cooperatives, such as Green Gold, which has received Fairtrade certification, ensuring that farmers receive a fair price for their coffee. Additionally, the Emerald Peacock Co-Op also operates under fair trade principles, supporting the transition from opium cultivation to coffee production. The Green Gold Cooperative has completed a central coffee processing plant, further supporting sustainable practices and fair trade in the region.

These initiatives reflect a commitment to ethical and sustainable coffee production in Myanmar.

TASTING NOTES: Light roasts; citric and floral upfront, a sweet edge, thicker chocolate/spice undertones, hints of caramel with a little setup in the aftertaste. Medium roasts really mellow the cup. Smooth, most would say, a bit more neutral with just a hint of the floral and spice seen at the lighter roasts.