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It’s Picking Time at Saffron Coffee…and Demand is High
As the morning temperatures drop in Luang Prabang, Saffron Coffee Company’s farmers in over 85 villages across northern Laos are eagerly watching their coffee trees. They are looking for when the fruit turns the perfect crimson colour that signals it is ripe for harvest. This year it can’t come quick enough with demand for Saffron coffee meaning they are quickly running out of the amazing northern Lao coffee that their customers know and love. In the mountains surrounding Luang Prabang, the harvest begins in late October or early November each year and will finish in February. Saffron’s coffee promoters will travel multiple times to each village to purchase the high-quality Arabica cherries that will become the pride of Saffron Coffee the next year. “We believe strongly in compensating our farmers for the effort they put in and ensuring they have a sustainable living for their hard work,” says Brendan Pont, the Roasted Coffee Sales Manager for Saffron Coffee. Saffron Coffee pays their farmers above the market value for the high-quality coffee they produce. As a “profit for purpose” company, Saffron Coffee is also focussed on developing the skills of farmers and provides free seedlings each year to their existing farmers or new farmers, who want to join the growing number of northern Lao families who now earn a sustainable living from selling their coffee to Saffron. “This past year we had requests for 20,000 more seedlings than what we could provide, it’s exciting to see the coffee production expanding in the North of Lao,” Mr Pont said. Mr Pont is also excited by a project that Saffron is conducting as part of the Reinforcement and Expansion of Coffee Sector in Laos (Recosel) initiative, in which they are building and training villages to operate processing facilities in areas that were previously too distant for coffee cherries to get back to Saffron’s processing plant in Luang Prabang. “This project will allow us to broaden the number of villages we can access coffee from, and also help them have another source of income,” he said. Saffron is in the process of building their first satellite processing centre, and are partnering with the Wildlife Conservation Society, who will begin the construction of a second site soon. If you want to find out more about the work of Saffron Coffee, they offer customers the opportunity to experience how the crimson cherries become a cup of liquid gold. The “Cherry to Cup” tours will take you from the Saffron Espresso Brew Bar and Roastery on the Mekong in downtown Luang Prabang to their processing plant situated on the way to Kuang Si falls. It is here that you will experience how they take their organic, shade grown, environmentally sustainable coffee cherries, and process them to end up being the latte that you love. You can find out more about the tours at the Espresso Brew Bar and Roastery overlooking the Mekong River, or their Alley café in the heart of the guesthouse area in Ban Houaxiang. For more information, please visit: www.saffroncoffee.com
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A Sustainable First for Laos
“At Nahm Dong Park, we have worked on sustainability from the very beginning, and we’re the very first in Laos to produce natural plates and containers,” said Samuel Vedrines the park’s general manager. Mr Vedrines noted that plastic waste is becoming a major problem in Asia, and Laos’ neighbouring countries are making great efforts to replace foam and plastic with natural products. “Laos does not yet have a solution, and these products have to be imported,” he said. Nahm Dong intends to change that. Nahm Dong, located in Luang Prabang, is now entering the final phase of its leaf-plate project. “We have just started production, but are still in the testing phase,” Mr Vedrines explained. “I estimate that we’ll be able to supply businesses before Christmas.” He said the main products are made of areca sheath (betel palm tree). “We have found these to be the strongest. The products are biodegradable and eco-friendly, handy, leak proof, clean, and natural looking. They are washable and re-usable, microwave and refrigerator safe, and can be used for hot, wet, and cool food items.” He added that banana leafs also show promise. Nahm Dong can currently produce square plates in four sizes: 10, 8, 6, and 4 inches. They also make lunch boxes with two inside sections, plus a round four-inch cup and a round eight-inch plate. “Our production is low at the moment, as we have yet been able to stabilize our supply,” Mr Vedrines said. “There is a lot of areca around, but getting people to collect them instead of burning them is not as easy as I thought.” He pointed out that Nahm Dong Park has started using the products, and reiterated his hope that they will be able to supply other businesses by the end of the year. “These products can be used in social gatherings, marriage parties, hotels, fast-food centres, tourism and office caterings, and even at home,” he said. Mr Vedrines concluded, “I believe that this kind of eco-friendly manufacturing industry has to be promoted to keep the country’s environment clean to minimize impact to human health, provide solutions for waste problems, bring awareness to the population, help the tourism industry become cleaner, and contribute to Luang Prabang’s reputation for environmental care and cleanliness.” He added that the Nahm Dong project is not for profit. “We want to make things move, not make money.” ********* Located only 10 km from the centre of Luang Prabang, Nahm Dong Park sits on 18 hectares of beautiful plants, lush greenery, exquisite flora and fauna and rushing waters. The area is spotted with cosy picnic places under straw huts and in flower gardens. You could spend an entire day lounging, swimming, trekking, zip-lining, dining, and enjoying this natural preserve. Not only are you immersed in greenery that is easy to navigate, but you are also in a self-sustaining destination. For more information, visit the Nahm Dong Park Website.
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The Rock Viewpoint at Phu Pha Marn :The Peak of the Thakhek Loop
Press Release: Green Discovery Laos Looking at the title, you must be wondering: Wait, what is this place? Well, with little to non-existent search results, it is indeed unlikely for one to know what this destination endows. This exact place is instrumental to the opening of one of the natural beauties of Khammouane Province, Phou Hin Boun National Protected Area, to sustainable tourism. Located in Central Laos, this awe-inspiring National Protected Area boasts one of the largest limestone forest in all of Asia. Despite the magical atmosphere created by the endless limestone mountains and cascading waterfalls hidden in the virgin forest, it is one of the least known natural wonders of Laos. The Viewpoint at Phu Pha Marn has been developed into a viewpoint which will leave its visitors astounded by the breath-taking view it offers. As one of the main features of this attraction, it has been given the nickname “The Peak of The Loop”. Apart from possessing all the classic features of a viewpoint, such as photography spots, souvenir shops and toilets, it also offers a wide range of unique activities. Zip-lines that fly between the mountains, canopy walks, and spider net, shape a fascinating itinerary that has been carefully designed for visitors to experience the National Protected Area as never before, while leaving as small an impact as possible in Phou Hin Boun’s natural ecosystem. Green Discovery Laos, Lao’s leader in adventure and eco-tourism, has created this viewpoint where visitors can experience a complete immersion in nature. Development of this viewpoint will have two objectives; promoting tourism in the region and ensuring the future preservation of the National Protected Area as one of the country’s most unique and unspoilt natural landscapes. Inthira Group, known for its high-end hotels and restaurants, will add the exclusive touch to the complex. The hospitality expert will manage the viewpoint’s food and beverages selection, creating amazing dishes from fresh products provided by the surrounding local communities. This supports Green Discovery Laos’ desire to invigorate the region’s economy, where by it involves local communities in its sustainable development. “We think that Phou Hin Boun has a huge potential for sustainable activities. People has been passing by the park for a long time, but now we want to give them the opportunity to go further into the area and explore its amazing nature and unique wildlife from a closer point of view. GDL wants tourism to preserve the beauty of the park and involve the local communities so it truly benefits the area”, said Inthy Deuansavanh, Green Discovery Laos’ president. A valuable addition to the great selection of sustainable experiences one can enjoy in Laos, everything points to the viewpoint becoming a must-stop for all exploring the roads of central Laos. Phu Pha Marn will act as the Tourist Information Centre for all visitors in Khammouane, serving as a starting point for those wanting to explore the villages, blue lagoons, waterfalls and rich forests in the area. Having said so much, you are invited to be part of this beginning of a beautiful adventure! The Phu Pha Marn Viewpoint will be opened on 15th December 2019. Be there to see Green Discovery Laos make it possible for all to venture deep into this uncharted National Park, which will be added to the collection of once-in-a-lifetime kind of activities that are unique in Laos! For sneak peeks of this gorgeous destination, do head over to its Facebook Page, The Rock Viewpoint at Phu Pha Marn.
