Back from Vietnam with New Stock

I have recently returned having spent most of the winter in Vietnam. My heart goes out to all of you that had to endure one of the worst winters in living memory. But I think we can safely say that there is light at the end of the tunnel. So those of you that enjoy drinking Vietnamese beverages and would like to do it in the country itself then hopefully you will have the chance soon.

Vietnam has done a fantastic job during the pandemic. I was very lucky to have been somewhere that was more like the "old normal". They had two outbreaks whilst I was there. Quick and effective local lockdowns and contact tracing meant they got on top of it quickly. They have gone more than a month now without community transmission. Life there was very direct. quickly. They have gone more than a month now without community transmission. Life there was very direc. t I am managing. A word on that later for those of you that might want to venture out there once things return to some semblance of normality. For now I want to stay on topic and talk about coffee and tea....

The photos above are of coffee trees growing in the foothills of Lang Biang mountain in Vietnam's central Highlands. This is Southern Vietnams highest peak at 2167m. Those of you that drink my coffee will know that this is where your coffee comes from. This was early in the season as the cherries won't be ready to harvest until October time. The centre photo I squeezed the cherries seed out. Most people refer to it as a bean!

Unfortunately the yield on last years harvest wasn't great due to too much rain. But I am pleased to say that the coffee is tasting great. The cooperative continues to teach farmers how to farm sustainably whilst increasing the quality of their of the coffee cherry. They have really grasped the concept of specialty coffee.

If you enjoy trekking and plan a trip to Vietnam I thoroughly recommend this. It can be done without a guide. As its a national park you just need to buy an entry ticket and take the forest trail which avoids the road to the radar station on another peak. According to my iPhone it was the equivalent of 181 floors. I needed an early night!

Above volunteers (coffee lovers) are going through the cherries to remove the bad ones. If they are no good they will float to the top. Below the cherries are being dried out in the sun and constantly rotated to dry evenly. This helps the bean take on characteristics of the cherry. Afterwards the cherry and parchment will be removed and the beans will be laid out to dry before they are ready to be roasted.

I also have my ever popular Oolong and Pandan Tea in stock. Although one or two of my customers would probably rather I kept that quiet! Also with Fathers Day coming perhaps a Coffee Gift Set could be an idea as a present....

A final word on the homestay. My girlfriend did a fantastic job with the design. It has an indoor garden with a lovely tall tree. Next to this is a yoga floor. We will do yoga retreats in the near future. It also has a delightful swimming pool and a sauna. It's in a rural setting not far from the bustling city of Danang and the ancient town of Hoi An. We are growing Bougainvillea to cover the front so we gave it the name Bougainvilla, its a holistic homestay in our newly built villa :). Please like us on Facebook here and view some photos and when the world opens up again I will be sure to offer you all a discount.

I wish you all the best and fingers crossed to a near normal summer.

Brian