Sand-Dancer - (Kaku) | Notes of: Granny Smith Apples, Butterscotch & Citrus

Kaku farm is located in Paliang, the largest coffee producing area in Menglian Dai, Lahu and Va Autonomous County, Yunnan. The family run farm and washing station is led by Mr Li, processing coffee grown by surrounding villages of small holders as well as their own land. Alongside coffee, the farm grows a variety of trees such as camphor tree (used as an essential oil), Tianzhugui (used in traditional Chinese medicine), with Huanghuali (a type of rosewood) grown to provide shade.

The family are very well respected in the local community, helping many villagers with education and healthcare, which is hugely valued in this remote area. They have also developed a close relationship with pickers from the Lahu tribe, many of whom come across the border from Myanmar before Spring Festival to work as temporary labourers. Workers at the mill are mainly full-time employees with monthly salaries and bonuses given if the quality of the coffee is high.

Mr Li and his family have been growing and processing commercial grade coffee for over 20 years,The focus on specialty is less than 5 years old, yet the commitment to quality combined with higher than average elevation mean it is producing some excellent washed lots. This coffee is exported by our origin partners, Yunnan Coffee Traders (YCT). Indochina has worked in partnership with YCT since we first began importing coffees to the UK in 2016. As a pioneer of the Chinese specialty coffee industry in Menglian County, Yunnan Province, YCT operates farming, mill, research, and training facilities.

Its mission is three-fold:

• Create opportunities for Yunnan farmers to engage in sustainable production practices

• Employ industry best-practices for sourcing, processing, wholesaling, and exporting coffees

• Supply coffee to importers and roasters who care about sustainability, traceability, and transparency