DoiTung Coffee

"DoiTung Coffee" (raw coffee beans, roasted coffee beans, and ground coffee) is Coffea arabica  , mainly of variety Catimor, unlike principal coffees produced in Thailand, which are Coffea robusta.

The "DoiTung Coffee" project is implemented under the initiative of the Thai Royal Family. The activities of the Doi Tung Development Project (DTDP), operated by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under royal patronage, include registration in Thailand's Geographical Indications and accreditation by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the project's contribution to drug eradication and have been highly recognized in and outside Thailand. It is traded for 2 to 2.5 times higher than ordinary coffees of the same species at markets in Thailand.

"DoiTung Coffee" is cultivated in the area specified by the Foundation by using seedlings of Catimor and other varieties of Coffea arabica raised at institutions determined by the Foundation and following the instructions given at seminars the Foundation periodically holds.
　Beans are harvested following the monitoring of the plantation and confirmation of the suitable timing by the producer and Foundation manager. The harvested beans are brought into a storage space specified by the Foundation within the specified period. Unripe beans, less than 80% ripe, pest damaged, broken and rotten, floating in the water, dry dark, or clusters are visually checked and removed.
　The harvested and selected beans are washed, purified, and processed using the washed method at a processing facility specified by the Foundation. The shipping standards state that beans from which shells, broken beans, worm-eaten beans, underdeveloped beans, unripe beans, and chaffs are removed can be shipped as "raw DoiTung Coffee beans". According to the shipping standards, ground DoiTung Coffee and coffee beans (not raw) prepared by roasting "raw DoiTung Coffee beans" as raw materials at a roasting facility specified by the Foundation can be shipped as "DoiTung Coffee beans",   except for unfinished roasted beans.

The producing area is relatively high in elevation, having annual average temperatures, daily temperature differences, and other climatic conditions suitable for cultivating coffee plants of Coffea arabica.
　The cultivation and production of "DoiTung Coffee" started as the Doi Tung Development Project (DTDP) led by the royal family of Thailand in 1988. "DoiTung Coffee" was started in the Project to assist local residents in switching from opium poppy cultivation to coffee production. The coffee is closely related to the producing area and producers.
　The Foundation, which played the central role, worked with local residents on coffee cultivation and technology development. In 1998, coffee cultivation accounted for 12% of the entire income of DTDP, showing that coffee had become established in the area as a crop that has improved people's lives and the natural environment.
　The Doi Tung Development Project has also earned high international praise. In 2001, it was accredited by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for its contribution to drug eradication. Production of "DoiTung Coffee" has gradually increased since 1988. Today, it boosts stability in both production and sales.
　"DoiTung Coffee" is also imported into and sold in Japan. Most entities involved in sales and coffee services explain the coffee by mentioning the history of the area and activities of the Foundation, showing that the history of DoiTung Coffee production is recognized as one of its characteristics.