Mae Chedi

Mae Chedi represents a significant milestone for specialty coffee in Northern Thailand. While coffee was originally introduced to the region in 1977 as an alternative to opium, it is the passion of the younger generation—led by Watchara Yawirach—that is now elevating it to world-class standards. This washed lot is remarkably vibrant and clean. It drinks with a refreshing citrus clarity, offering bright notes of mandarin and yuzu that are perfectly complemented by a smooth, syrupy honey sweetness.

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Weight

250 grams
1000 grams

Clear

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Supply chain

Watchara Yawirach – Beanspire x This Side Up – Keen

Details

Origin: Chiang Rai, Thailand
Washing Station: Mae Chedi Washing Station
Producer: Watchara Yawirach
Varietal: Chiang Mai (SL28 x Caturra x Timor Hybrid)
Altitude: 1,100 – 1,250 MASL
Process: Washed
Flavour notes: Mandarin, Yuzu, Honey

Coordinates

Collaboration

The Mae Chedi cooperative in Chiang Rai is a group of 19 households led by Watchara Yawirach. While tea remains the primary cash crop for the community, the cooperative has spent the last three years refining their specialty coffee production. This year marks a major breakthrough: their first-ever export to the international specialty market.

By utilizing the Washed process, the cooperative focuses on highlighting the inherent characteristics of the Chiang Mai varietal—a local hybrid designed for high-quality production in Thailand’s unique terroir. The cherries are depulped and washed with precision, ensuring a transparent and consistent profile. In partnership with Beanspire and This Side Up, this project provides the farmers with a sustainable, high-value income stream that supplements their traditional tea income. For us at Keen, this coffee is an example of how dedicated smallholders can transform a region’s agricultural history into a bright, specialty-focused future.