Aurora Trading AB – Ethical Single-Origin Coffee

At Aurora Trading AB, we are proud to offer sustainably grown, single-origin coffee sourced from the mountains of northern Thailand. Our coffee beans are grown at 1000-1400 metres above sea level, near the Myanmar border. Cultivated by the Akha hill tribe, a community known for
its rich agricultural traditions and deep connection to the land..

Meet Thannaphon Chermer – Founder of Akha Jungle Coffee

The heart and soul behind Akha Jungle Coffee is Thannaphon Chermer, an Akha native who grew up in the remote mountain villages. Thannaphon not only has a strong cultural connection to the Akha community but also holds qualifications in traditional Thai medicine, having studied at
the Chiang Rai Rajabhat University. His unique combination of medical knowledge and agricultural experience drives his commitment to improving the lives of his people through sustainable and ethical farming practices.

Sustainable and Ethical Farming Practices

  • Our coffee is grown under the canopy of the forest with no deforestation and with no use of chemicals. This eco-friendly approach supports a healthy environment for both the land and the farmers.

  • Thannaphon Chermer is dedicated to supporting the Akha community by purchasing coffee at higher-than-market rates, ensuring that local farmers receive a fair and stable income to support their families.

  • Beyond fair trade, Thannaphon’s focus on education and healthcare is improving
    opportunities for the Akha people, empowering future generations through knowledge and
    well-being.

A Vision For The Future

Over the next few years, Aurora Trading AB plans to collaborate closely with Thannaphon on various projects that will further benefit the Akha hill tribe communities. These projects will focus on sustainable development, education, and health care, fostering long-term positive change in the region.

Thai Coffee Characteristics

Thai coffee is known for its smooth, full-bodied flavor, often containing nutty, fruity and floral notes. These unique flavor profiles come from the high-altitude areas where the coffee is grown, such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, areas with rich volcanic soil and a climate ideal for coffee cultivation. The combination of traditional farming methods and modern roasting techniques results in coffee beans that provide an unforgettable experience with every sip.

A Little History In Thai Coffee

In the 1970s, under the leadership of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), Thailand launched the Royal Project Initiative to transform the livelihoods of communities in the northern highlands. Faced with the challenges of opium cultivation, particularly among highland communities in regions such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, King Bhumibol saw an opportunity to promote sustainable agriculture, reduce illegal opium production and support economic development.

The Royal Project provided highlanders with the training, resources and tools to transition from opium to high-value, sustainable crops such as coffee, fruits and vegetables. The program included training in environmentally friendly farming techniques, soil quality conservation and water management, which were crucial to creating a sustainable agricultural system. By switching to coffee farming, these communities gained a new, stable source of income while protecting the environment. The volcanic soil of northern Thailand, combined with the cool highland climate, proved ideal for coffee cultivation and resulted in beans with a unique flavor profile loved by coffee enthusiasts worldwide.

King Bhumibol's vision went beyond simply replacing crops, he strove to create self sufficient, resilient communities. The Royal Project worked closely with highland communities, providing them with high quality coffee shrubs, guidance on sustainable agriculture and a route to fair-trade markets. This approach enabled local farmers to earn fair wages and achieve economic independence. Today, Thailand's highland coffee is known for its smooth, full-bodied flavour with subtle notes of nuts, fruits and flowers qualities that are enhanced by the sustainable farming practices and commitment of the communities that grow it.

At Aurora Trading we are proud to source our coffee from these history rich communities and bring the exceptional taste and heritage of Thai coffee, grown with respect for both nature and culture, to Europe. By choosing our coffee, you not only get to experience a unique, premium product, but also support sustainable practices and the economic development of Thailand's highland people.