Processing
Processing our coffee
The farmers process the coffee as naturals. For wet processed coffee, the cherries are transported to one of our coffee washing stations (CWS) by motorcycle, Chinese two-wheel tractor, or even traditional bullock cart. The CWS are close to fields, ensuring quality cherries are delivered and processed on the day of harvest.
Of the four nearby CWS, two are owned by us and the other two by the farmers. Four CWS mean farmers can increase their volumes and we guarantee to buy the coffee. Essentially, the system can work now.
Production 2021 (green bean, tons): 150 tons
Production goal 2025 (green bean, tons): 300–1,000 tons
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Name of CWS: Tatkone
Location: Ywangan Township, Tatkone village
Distance from farms: 10 mins (by car)
Altitude: 1,300–1,400m ASL
Processing: Wet and dry methods
Flavours: Banana, grapefruit, pineapple flavours macadamia flower smell
Cupping: 84-86
Name of CWS: Yay Chan Pyin
Location: Ywangan Township, Yay Chan Pyin village
Distance from farms: 10–25 min (by car)
Altitude: 1,450–1,700m ASL
Processing: Wet method
Flavours: Banana, orange, peach flavours with a lovely pink apple smell
Cupping: 85
Name of CWS: Kyan Taw
Location: Ywangan Township, Kyan Taw village
Distance from farms: 5–10 min (by foot)
Altitude: 1,300–1,600m ASL
Processing: Wet method
Flavours: Banana, grapefruit, pineapple flavours macadamia flower smell
Cupping: 84-86
Name of CWS: Oat Dwin
Location: Ywangan Township, Oat Dwin village
Distance from farms: 10–15 min (by foot)
Altitude: 1,300–1,600m ASL
Processing: Wet method
Flavours: Citrus, orange, nutty with rich chocolate aroma
Cupping: 85-86
Coffee farmers CWSs
Danu Nay-La CWSs
Milling
Aungban is a major agricultural trading town in southern Shan State. It is in Kalaw Township, Taunggyi District. In 2015, we built a small mill there. We hired a professional miller to run it, along with 20–35 employees, including 25 women. We support our employees with healthcare.
The mill is for Danu May-La products only. We wanted to control processing from seed to green bean to ensure quality and our ability to deliver on time.
Our coffee beans have three grades:
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Grade 1 (18–15)
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Grade 2 (16-14)
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Grade 3 (under 14)
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Colour – grey, blue green
Coffee screen size is traditionally measured by passing coffee through circular holes. These holes are typically in increments of 1/64 of an inch in diameter, so a coffee measuring screen size 16 means the coffee is 16/64 – or a quarter of an inch – across. The larger the bean, the higher the quality.
Bagging and storage
Our coffee is bagged with an inner sterilized bag then an outer bag. 1 bag 50kg (commodity), 1 bag 60kg (specialty).
Our storage house is at the Danu Nay-La coffee factory in Tatkone village, Ywangan. We store the beans in normal temperature with fresh air and out of direct sunlight. The bags sit above the ground to control rodents and pests.
We outsource our roasting to skilled and knowable roasters.