Thailand is unique in many respects. This monarchy-ruled Kingdom was never colonised by the Europeans, which was a feat of diplomacy for King Rama V, who managed to set up a treaty with Britain and France. Thailand has a vibrant coffee culture, with people of all ages consuming kaefae (coffee) of various types. When you walk into a Thai street early in the morning, you won’t be far from a mobile coffee vendor, who will have 4-5 small fold up tables and stools for his customers.

Arabica

In Chiang Mai, at altitudes of 4.500 ft above sea level, the best arabica coffee plants are tended; indeed, Thai arabica is rated as one of the best in the world and the Thai people love their morning coffee and will drink iced coffee during the day (kaefae tung). In the early mornings in towns, cities and villages, you will see many people drinking coffee and eating Thai doughnuts.

Thais Like Sweet Coffee

So much so that the coffee vendor will automatically add some heavy sweet milk (nom mali). When you order and do not want sugar, say ‘mai sai nam than krapp’, otherwise she will add the sweet milk, which does complement the coffee. Production of กาแฟ ไทย is on the rise, as the young generations embrace coffee.

O-liang

This is a traditional Thai drink with black coffee with ice, you can order it in a plastic bag (kaefae sai tung) and milk is not added to this refreshing drink. Even the kids love to share a bag of O-liang, while old ladies like to sip on this during the daytime heat.

Lanna Coffee

The northern hill-tribe people grow arabica and robusta; most of Thailand’s coffee is consumed domestically, as coffee is popular at every level of Thai society. The coffee beans are quite bitter, yet the Thais add sweetened milk instead of sugar. You might want to know กาแฟ ยี่ห้อ ไหน ดี and browsing the online coffee supplier’s website would help you make a choice.

Robusta In The South Of Thailand

There has always been a community of growers of robusta coffee near the border with Malaysia and the southern people like O-liang, while Thailand seems to be developing a unique hybrid using several species. Most of the southern robusta coffee is used to make instant coffee powder and this has been an industry for a few decades.

The Abundance Of Coffee Shops

Wherever you happen to be in the Land of Smiles, you are never far away from a coffee vendor; every 7-11 has a great variety of hot and iced coffee and the beverage is consumed day and night. Bangkok is the centre of buzzing coffee culture, with latte art a big thing. From the top hotels to the street vendor and everything in between, coffee is available everywhere in Thailand.

Thai Language

• Hot coffee – Kaefae rohn
• Iced coffee – karfae yen
• No sugar – Mai sai nam than
• Sugar – Sai nam tham
• Coffee to go – Kaefae sy tung

When you visit a coffee shop, their menu should have English and you can sample a few different drinks until you find the one you like. Meanwhile, if you drink coffee at home, you can order your favourite beans from the leading Thai coffee supplier.

Published: 2023-06-09 19:21:33