*Finger Wag* Don't sleep on beans from Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia might not always be the first region that comes to mind when people think of high-end coffee, but make no mistake—this corner of the world produces some of the most bold, complex, and underrated beans on the planet.

From the volcanic soils of Indonesia to the cool, misty highlands of Vietnam and Thailand, Southeast Asia offers a dazzling array of terroirs that create deeply unique flavor profiles. From the highlands of Flores Island in Indonesia, coffee beans are often grown above 1,400m and prized for its unique flavor profile. Meanwhile, Vietnam—already the world’s second-largest coffee producer—is pushing boundaries with high-quality arabica and innovative fermentation techniques that rival anything coming out of Latin America or Africa.

What makes Southeast Asian beans so compelling is not just their flavor but their story. Many farms are small-scale and family-run, relying on traditional processing methods that have been refined over generations. Once known for poppy farming, Myanmar, Hopong has transformed itself into a region known for exceptionally clean coffee with a creamy mouthfeel and complex flavour profile. And now, as specialty coffee roasters across the globe are finally shining a spotlight on the region, these beans are getting the respect they deserve.

So if you’re sleeping on Southeast Asian coffee, you’re missing out on one of the most diverse, dynamic, and rapidly evolving segments of the coffee world. This isn’t just good coffee—it’s coffee with attitude, depth, and a whole lot of soul.