Here is a brief timeline of the history of coffee Myanmar, thanks to the Myanmar Coffee Association:

1885 – Missionaries initiated coffee growing at Myeik and Dawei.

1930 – Catholic missionaries introduced Arabica.

1930-1934 – A large (120 acre) Arabica plantation called “Chaungwe” was established at Naung Cho.1935/36 – The country produced 268 tons of beans.

1968-1994 – Ministry of Industry 1 managed the coffee state farms.

1994 – Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation carried out the cultivation and production of the crop where it remains to the present day.

1998 – The GOM Heads of State laid down a strategy to extend cultivated areas of Arabica up to 100,000 acres.

2005 – Coffee tree coverage was 35,485 acres. Initial coffee trees were planted by Scottish immigrants in the 1930’s – back when the country was known more commonly as ‘Burma’. A change in the political climate has allowed more coffee exports, resulting in one of the most exciting new coffees to come out of South East Asia. 

Myanmar Coffee might be the newest specialty hotspot, but not many farmers received any aid or support. Many of the farmers learned how to produce naturally through social media and observation alone, coffee has replaced less ethical crops, such as opium.