Thailand coffee

6 Thailand coffees from 5 independent UK roasters, from £9.95.

Thailand is a small but fast-improving origin, with almost all of its speciality Arabica grown in the cool northern highlands around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Much of it comes from hill-tribe communities who switched from opium to coffee under royal development projects, so buying it carries a genuine social story. The cup is typically soft and approachable — caramel, nutty chocolate, gentle citrus and mild acidity — with more adventurous roasters offering honey-processed and natural lots with brighter fruit. Volumes reaching the UK are small, so Thai coffee usually appears as a curiosity or limited release. For an easy-drinking, ethically-sourced origin that is still relatively unexplored, it is well worth trying.