This autumn, the Stockholm coffee roastery Johan & Nyström is bringing the first ever Thai coffee to the Swedish market. Launched in the roastery’s limited edition series, Doi Chaang is produced in the village of Ban Doi Chaang in Northern Thailand by the Akha tribe. It’s an organic, fair trade Arabica coffee – and like many of the beans sold at Johan & Nyström, it comes with a story.
The tribe originally settled in the area two centuries ago, and for years, they survived by growing opium. In the 80s, as part of an initiative to bring sustainable agriculture to the hill villages, the tribe received some Arabica coffee plants, along with detailed instructions for cultivation. They decided to abandon opium and focus on coffee, which turned out to be a wise move. Gradually, coffee has turned Ban Doi Chaang from an impoverished village to one with infrastructure, running water, electricity, a school and a hospital.

Johan & Nyström have mixed three beans from the village in their Doi Chaang blend, resulting in a balanced, rounded taste with tones of nuts and chocolate.