fi-lăn'thrə-pē

08/19/2021

08/07/2021

As the coffee begins to ship out to Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America, our UN-supported project to train and support the coffee villages of Dak Cheung has finally paid off.

The farmers have officially been crowned the champion of the coffee quality competition as run by the Coffee Quality Institute and supported by Winrock International and the USDA through the CLEAN Project. Through this competition, some of the best coffee tasters from the world's leading institute on coffee quality have selected our friends' coffee as the jewel of Laos.

Nothing can make us more proud than to see these hardworking farmers take the gold medal.

In reality, they've gone from being the underdog in all of Laos, to the very top. The price farmers received before intervention was a shameful 0.80USD/kg, and today they are receiving 10USD/kg+. This is more than a 1,150% increase in their household income as they are almost completely reliant upon coffee for their income.

Additionally, the communities we support in Paksong were also awarded the Best of Honey-Process (3rd Place) and Best of Washed-Process coffees (4th Place).

Today we are honored and humbled that the communities understand what they have and work for. It's awesome to observe the drive and patience within them to make something great. Over the past few years, we've slowly given more and more responsibility of the full process to grow, produce, and sell great coffees. To say they performed well is an understatement. This win is a testament to the Lao spirit.

Thank you once again friends. The world is ceaselessly amazing.

-the fi-lan'thro-pe team

02/11/2021

After almost 6 years to the day, we were able to have our 2nd official visit by the US Ambassador to our humble yet mighty little "Coffee Embassy".

On this lovely occasion, what made it even more special was the fact that the farmers were able to talk directly with Ambassador Haymond who speaks fluent Lao.

We are grateful for your visit and hope that our partnership with USDA and Winrock will continue to clear the path for families to radically improve their coffee, the income they earn from their hard work, the land which they care for, and the sense of dignity that comes from honest recognition.

A wholesome thank you goes out to Ambassador Haymond, his wife, Embassy team, and the Winrock team.

Khop jhai, friends.

12/31/2020

As the New Year rings in, the farmers of Northern, Southern, and Central Laos are bringing in their first samples of the 2021 harvest.

Processing, tracking, roasting, cupping, and providing feedback to the more than 200 family samples (1st round of 6) is a laborious, but an invaluable event that keeps communities focused on the end goal....earning an honorable living by sharing their lives with you.

As you celebrate the New Year, we wish we could provide you the morning after cup of coffee we all know you'll need.

From Southern Laos with love,
the fi-lan'thro-pe team

12/24/2020

Ya know, just another day, 😉 another Kafe-in-Lab in Vientiene, Lao 😊

12/15/2020

Our 3rd year in central Laos on the border of Laos and Vietnam. Textbook-perfect coffee harvest. These communities are driven by a vision of a clearer, community-driven future even considering they are some of the most underprivileged. Look out Australia, EU, and US. This labor of love is in process and preparing to share with you what coffee by the people and for the people really means.

Have hope, friends. Hope in the human spirit is always alive. You're never alone.

11/27/2020

Our friends at Coffee Circle in Berlin, Germany just released the latest filter offering coming from our friends here in Laos.

If you grab some, let us know what you think!

Jing Jhai is our first filter coffee from Laos. It is a full-bodied and well-balanced coffee that brings surprising complexity and liveliness. Its unique taste profile reminds us of macadamia nut and has a subtle fruity note reminiscent...

11/21/2020

Over the past year and a half, we've been quiet. It's not because there's been a lack of progress, it's because it's been productive almost to the point of exhaustion. Enjoy the journey of our team continuing to push forward, alongside the villages in Laos, to build awareness, strength, stewardship, and resiliency.

Many times, it's more about the mind than it is anything else.

These are some photos of what it takes to go from "dream" to reality.

07/25/2020

Vientiane Coffee-Talk Coffee-Taste! With Local Art and Teas and Foods and Music! All here All now here at Mandala Boutique Hotel w/BitterCMarket and JingJhaiCafe!! Come and see! 😍😋😙

01/22/2020

Presenting Lao's first direct from farmers, specialty coffee. Available soon all over Lao and abroad.

Grown by the farmers, roasted by the farmers, and direct to you.

We hope the design is more than coffee by evoking the spirit of Lao.

This is Jing Jhai Coffee

Illustrations and design by: Ayuso
Supported by: U.S. Department of Agriculture ,U.S. Embassy Vientiane, Winrock International