Why Southeast Asia

In 2016 and 2018 on trips to Malaysia, Thailand and Japan, we discovered an amazing coffee culture with people passionate about locally grown, single origin coffee. We were blown away at the complexity and flavors of these coffees.

After returning from that initial trip, I had the opportunity to work for a startup coffee company and roaster in San Francisco. The roasting profiles focused on sweetness in the bean and the coffees roasted were mostly from South and Central America as well as Africa grown varieties. Having this experience gave me the opportunity to focus on and develop my palate as well as be a part of how seed to cup happens. 

Much like potential supply issues with cacao beans from Central America and Africa, Southeast Asia is preparing for the inevitable change in availability of coffee beans by increasing the growth of speciality coffee. Southeast Asia coffees have many advocates and I am fortunate to have met a few who encourage and at times helped guide my path back into coffee. 

Most of the world is focused on Arabica coffee, the starchild of coffee, but Southeast Asia (SEA) has unique varieties of Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and others. The average US coffee drinker has not explored the amazing flavors and experiences these coffees can bring. 

Our mission is to not only showcase the underrepresented Arabica and other varieties of coffees from this region but also highlight the resilience and foresight of Southeast Asian specialty coffee growers in preparing for the effects of global warming.

With rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns posing significant challenges to coffee production, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) reports up to a 40% reduction in yields in Central America due to global warming. However, Southeast Asia has emerged as a region that understands the importance of sustainable coffee farming practices and is actively preparing for the inevitable changes caused by climate change. By sourcing coffees from Southeast Asia, Coffeeclectic aims to shine a light on the smart and forward-thinking approaches taken by these growers.

Through our partnerships with small specialty farms and reputable importers, we acquire single origin coffee beans from Southeast Asia, where coffee growers have been proactively implementing strategies to adapt to changing environmental conditions. By supporting these growers, we not only offer our customers exceptional flavors but also acknowledge and celebrate the efforts made by Southeast Asian specialty coffee growers in preserving their coffee heritage and preparing for the challenges of global warming.

We hope to create awareness and appreciation for the intelligence and innovation of Southeast Asian specialty coffee growers, ensuring their continued growth and success in the face of global warming challenges.