Goodboybob was successful in securing our favorite lot in the 2024 Thailand Cup of Excellence Auction, a wonderful fruit dried Catimor / Bourbon blend from farmer Chaloemwong Yapangkoo, grown on his Follow Your Heart Farm in the Chiang Rai region of Northern Thailand.

Chaloemwong’s parents first established the farm, employing traditional farming and processing methods and utilizing seed stock from neighboring growers, without knowing the varieties or even species they were growing. As first-generation farmers, his parents' primary focus was crop sales. 

Chaloemwong tells the story of how he transformed the farm:
Upon my return, I embarked on experimenting with diverse processing methods to impart distinct flavors and explored coffee fermentation techniques to enhance the coffee-drinking experience. Additionally, I conducted trials in coffee plant care and modified fertilizer applications tailored specifically to the coffee plants. Recognizing the depletion of soil minerals from past uniform fertilizer use, I made adjustments and improvements wherever possible.

At present, we are implementing a tree-planting initiative on our farm to provide shade for our coffee trees. This decision stems from the recognition among coffee growers of the impacts of global warming. Consequently, we have sought out suitable plant species for integration into our coffee farming practices.

The result of Chaloemwong’s care, is this stunning fruit forward coffee with flavors of black currant, chocolate covered raisins, and clementine with a lingering floral aftertaste and honey sweetness.

• Farm: Follow Your Heart Coffee Farm, Chaloemwong Yapangkoo
• Region: Chiang Rai, Thailand
• Varieties: Catimor and Bourbon
• Processing: Sun dried Natural (Fruit Dried) 
• Altitude: 1,300 meters