Thailand has remained one of the top 25 coffee producers in the world for more than a decade.
Initially, a lot of their coffee cultivation focused on robusta plants. But it’s their specialty coffee industry that has been stealing the limelight of late.
As a Southeast Asian country that lies on the bean belt, Thai coffee gets its interesting flavour from the high altitude and the cool climate.
Keep reading to know all about their coffee history and what you can expect from a cup of Thai coffee.
History
Thailand’s coffee journey began much later when compared to some other countries.
It was during the reign of King Rama V, in the late 19th century, that the crop was introduced into the country. This was an attempt to find alternative cash crops that could boost the economy.
But it wasn’t until the 1970s that coffee cultivation became more widespread, owing to the efforts of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He launched projects to promote the growth of coffee and cement the position of the industry.

During this time, there was a greater emphasis on sustainable agriculture. In 1976, Thailand began exporting coffee.
With the turn of the century, the coffee world’s axis tilted towards specialty coffee as the demand increased.
Moving forward with the tide, Thai coffee farmers shifted their attention towards growing specialty coffee.
With NGOs and other organisations investing in the growth of the Thai coffee industry, it was only natural that Thai coffee began to climb the charts and make its way into households across the world.
Infrastructure improvements were made, and research into coffee cultivation and production meant that coffee growers could improve the quality of the beans.
Today, Thailand’s coffee industry is a noteworthy system boasting great origins.
Trends
-
Coffee wasn’t always popular among the Thai locals. Reports state that domestic consumption doubled between 2009 and 2019.
The Thais are consuming more coffee every year, with the younger generation driving this demand and the café culture growing as a result. -
Even the coffee events and competitions contribute a great deal to the Thai coffee industry.
The Thai Coffee Fest and Thailand Barista Championship are two events that enhance the standards and improve professional skills. World of Coffee, a global trade show is set to be held in Bangkok in 2026.
-
The traditional Thai coffee is an iced black coffee called Oliang. People love it for the strong taste it has from the use of robusta beans that are roasted dark, enhancing the bold flavour of the coffee.
Wondering what makes it different from a regular iced Americano? A combination of other ingredients, including corn, soybeans, and sesame seeds are all roasted and combined with brown sugar, spices, and ground robusta coffee to make the Oliang mixture.
Yet another factor that makes Thai coffee intriguing is the unique brewing method they use. It’s called “sock brewing”, wherein a cloth filter that resembles a sock is used to place the ground mixture and hot water is poured through it.
Characteristics

A typical Thai coffee is medium-bodied with fruity, nutty, and floral notes. The ones grown at a higher altitude have more acidity and complex flavour profiles. You could even find bright citrus notes in them.
In Thailand, coffee is grown in both the northern and southern regions. The northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are known for their arabica cultivation. Whereas, regions like Surat Thani and Chumphon produce great robusta coffee.
One thing that makes Thailand’s coffee culture quite interesting is the range of coffee drinks that are blended with herbs, fruits, and spices. You’ll even find some drinks that are a mix of both tea and coffee. Three of the most common ingredients are lemongrass, coconut milk, and pandan.