Vietnam Lotus

One of our most popular coffees is back!! This regional blend of ~100 farmers (part of the LIFT sustainability program) from in Da Lat is super smooth.

 

Yes, this is indeed 100% Arabica. What’s more, a very clean and clear cup with a very subtle pop of acidity leading into some richer notes! One of our favorite roasts for the first cup of the day. Try this washed/wet processed coffee as a flash-chilled pour-over, regular batch brew, or even as cold brew.

Vietnam is a special place. As the world’s largest producer of Robusta, Vietnam isn’t generally thought of as an origin with high quality coffee. But that is hardly the case. Cau Dat in the province of Da Lat in the central to southeastern part of the country, grows significant amounts of great coffee.

Vietnam is a country of smallholder farms, averaging 1-3 hectares, and farmers do not process their own coffee, but instead sell red cherry to wet mills, who process the coffee for export. All the Lotus Washed coffee Novus Coffee imports comes from their LIFT partners. There are about 100 LIFT farmers in Da Lat, about 30 of whom are women owned and managed. These producers receive technical assistance, free of charge, from agronomists to help improve quality across the entire supply chain. A solo effort at direct sourcing in Vietnam on our part here at Mostra would not have nearly as great an impact - this is another lot that illustrates different ways to make a difference.

Lotus Washed is grown at an altitude of 1400-1600 masl, and the region is characterized by year-round cool weather and volcanic soil. Coffee has been growing in Cau dat since the mid-1850’s when it was introduced by the French. It has since been cultivated by Vietnamese farmers and the region is known for being the among the highest quality arabica in the country. The coffee is picked ripe and pulped and separated in Colombian Penagos machinery, then fermented and washed with careful monitoring for quality. After drying, Lotus Washed is then stored in Da Lat, which has a lower average temperature than Ho Chi Minh, until it is ready for export, at which time it is hulled and sent to Ho Chi Minh for export. Once in Ho Chi Minh, the coffee is stored in a climate-controlled warehouse for up to two weeks before shipping.

Sourced from the Da Lat region of Vietnam, the Vietnam Lotus represents a specific expression of the country’s high-elevation coffee production. Grown at altitudes between 1400 and 1600 meters, this lot is prepared using the washed method. In general, washed coffees are often celebrated for their ability to highlight the inherent characteristics of the bean, as the removal of the fruit pulp before drying typically results in a cleaner, more focused cup profile. You can learn more about how different processing methods influence the final cup to better understand the technical choices behind this selection.

This coffee is roasted by Mostra Coffee, a roaster known for their meticulous approach to sourcing. As you explore the nuances of this Vietnamese origin, we encourage you to reference the flavor wheel to help identify and articulate the specific sensory qualities you encounter while brewing.