4.5
🇲🇲Myanmar
Myanmar · Shan Plateau
Myanmar — Atlas Rare
U Sai Wan Maing
Atlas Coffee Club
Green Land Coffee Estate
SL28· Washed
Read the review →
🇲🇲
Myanmar
Editorial illustration · not a verified photograph of this location
Myanmar's arabica grows in the highlands of Shan State, notably around Ywangan and Pin Laung, where coffee returned to specialty menus in the 2010s before political turmoil again disrupted trade.
History
Coffee cultivation in Myanmar dates back to the late 19th century, when the crop was introduced by British colonists and missionaries around 1885. For decades, the industry remained largely underdeveloped due to political instability, military rule, and economic isolation. A significant shift occurred in 2014, when international organizations like USAID, the UNODC, and the Coffee Quality Institute began supporting a transition from illicit poppy cultivation to specialty coffee production. This initiative led to the formation of the Myanmar Coffee Association and the first specialty-grade exports in 2016. Despite the disruption caused by the 2021 military coup, the country has maintained a presence in the global specialty market through the continued efforts of local cooperatives and farmers.
Growing regions
Ywangan
Township
Ywangan is a township located in the Taunggyi District of Southern Shan State, characterized by its mountainous terrain and diverse ethnic communities including the Danu and Pa-O. Coffee is primarily grown at altitudes ranging from 1,100 to 1,600 meters above sea level. Smallholder farmers typically cultivate coffee on small plots, often intercropping with shade trees and various food crops like avocado and ginger. The region has gained international recognition for its rapid transition to high-quality specialty coffee production.
Region guide →Shan Plateau
Coffee-growing region
The Shan Plateau is a vast highland region in eastern Myanmar characterized by nutrient-rich red loam soil and a cool microclimate. Coffee is primarily cultivated at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,700 meters above sea level. The area experiences distinct wet and dry seasons, which allow for consistent cherry development and facilitate the production of high-quality specialty naturals. Most production is managed by smallholder farmers who often integrate coffee cultivation with subsistence crops.
Region guide →Coffees from Myanmar
