Do you consider yourself a coffee aficionado, always in search of the perfect cup? In Da Lat, Vietnam, a tour of the K’Ho Coffee Farm and Roastery promises to delight your senses and introduce you to a world of exceptional coffee. Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich history, unique flavors, and traditional methods of processing coffee from tree to cup. Join me on this exciting adventure!
The Arrival: A Sip of Pure Pleasure
As you step into the K’Ho Coffee Farm, a sensuous, full-cup fragrance fills the air, announcing the arrival of your first sip of K’Ho coffee. Unlike the bold and bitter robusta commonly served across Vietnam, this coffee offers a generous but balanced flavor profile. With rounded notes of caramel and almond, it rolls smoothly across your tongue, activating tiny switches in your brain and filling your nose with pleasure.
A Legacy of Excellence: Vietnam’s First Coffee Trees
Nestled on the slopes of Langbiang Mountain, the K’Ho Coffee Farm is surrounded by rustling coffee trees with deep roots that share a history dating back to the late 1800s. It all began when the French brought Arabica seeds from Africa to Vietnam. They founded a resort town called Da Lat City, enlisting the ethnic K’Ho minority in the area to tend their coffee trees.
The K’Ho, a nomadic minority and one of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, had been cultivating the fertile soil around Langbiang Mountain long before the French arrived. By the early 1900s, the K’Ho essentially became Vietnam’s first coffee farmers. The Co Lieng family, now in its fourth generation, played a significant role in transforming their family farm into a sustainable business. In 2012, Rolan Co Lieng founded the K’Ho Coffee cooperative, growing, roasting, and selling coffee descended directly from the Old World coffee seeds.
Updating the Family Business: A Fresh Approach to Coffee
Arriving at the K’Ho farm in Bonneur’C Village, you’ll immediately sense the rustic ambiance. Coffee seeds dry on screens outside the gift shop, and inside, colorful ethnic textiles and crafts adorn the shelves alongside bags of richly scented beans. The Co Lieng family runs the business from their home, providing employment for 50 ethnic K’Ho families.
Together, they grow, process, and sell extraordinary Arabica coffee using only organic farming practices. By eliminating middlemen, the K’Ho Coffee cooperative ensures better incomes for farmers and the use of agroforestry techniques that protect the environment. It’s a fresh and sustainable approach to an age-old industry, and the quality of their coffee speaks for itself. K’Ho coffee consistently ranks in the high specialty range in cupping tests, scoring from 84 to 89.
A Hands-on Adventure: From Tree to Cup
At the K’Ho Coffee Farm, you’ll discover the intricate process behind creating the perfect cup of coffee. Your journey begins with a walk among the coffee trees where you’ll get up close with the berries and learn about the different Arabica varieties. Witness agroforestry in action on K’Ho farms before the guide leads you through each stage of coffee-making using traditional methods.
K’Ho Coffee employs three types of processes: washed, natural, and honey. The coffee beans are carefully selected and harvested by hand, wet-milled on-site, and left to dry for up to 20 days. Hulling is done manually using a wooden mortar and pestle, and only the best, unblemished seeds make it to the gratifying steps of roasting, grinding, and cupping. Don’t be surprised if you find sorting the seeds to be a challenge, as it requires a sharp eye and careful hand.
Throughout the workshop, your K’Ho guide will provide small insights, such as offering you a taste of a berry or explaining coffee-related terminology, enhancing your appreciation for the craft. The tour culminates in the most rewarding moments of brewing and tasting. Picture yourself carrying your cup of K’Ho coffee to the garden cafe, where you can savor it in the warm embrace of Dalat’s springtime sun. Not only is the coffee sustainably grown and cleanly processed, but it also supports local farmers, making every sip even more enriching. And let’s not forget, it’s absolutely delicious!
Plan Your Visit and Embrace the Experience
A half-day coffee tour at the K’Ho village farm costs 700,000 VND per person, including lunch. The gift shop and garden cafe are open from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Saturday. To book tours or gather more information, visit the official Travel Guide website.
Become a part of the K’Ho coffee story, discover the art of coffee-making, and support local farmers on this unforgettable journey in Da Lat. Your taste buds will thank you!