FARM TO CUP: 3 Filipino Coffee Brands Sourcing Beans Straight From The Philippines

For the average coffee drinker, the start of the day might look like going to Starbucks, using a Keurig, or maybe even making one of those 3-in-1 instant coffee packets. Probably not thinking too much about the type of coffee, and more about the caffeine you get from it. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the convenience and simplicity of all of these options. However, for a small step above convenience, you can get great tasting, unique coffee that you can make at home! Let me introduce you to 3 brands based in North America selling quality beans from the Philippines (and shipping worldwide!).

1. Kapé

Kapé is a social enterprise sourcing coffee beans from the Philippines and shipping them worldwide, from Vancouver, Canada. Working closely with coffee farmers in regions such as Benguet and Mount Apo, you can find out more about each farmer’s story, the origin of their coffee beans, and more details on the Kapé website. Among the 4 varieties of coffee available is Auntie Florencia and Uncle Florencio’s coffee from Davao del Sur, which placed top 5 in the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition. Their coffee beans are honey-processed and give notes of tamarind, peach, and maple syrup. Another one worth checking out is Ate Leonilda Dalogdog’s limited edition coffee from Davao Oriental, which placed top 10 in the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition. A full-bodied coffee found to be best enjoyed with your favorite Filipino dessert! If you’re indecisive, Kapé also offers tasting flights and bundles making it easy for you to enjoy all varieties.

2. Teofilo Coffee Company

Based in Los Alamitos, CA, Teofilo Coffee Company features several specialty coffee beans from the Philippines. Not only can you enjoy a cup of coffee in-person at their shop, you can also order coffee beans online on their website. Similar to Kapé, you can find further details on each coffee such as where in the Philippines it was grown, what variety it is, what it tastes like, and other facts about the process and growing of each product. They have over 10+ coffees to choose from, but here are a few you can find: Cavite Excelsa, Barako (Liberica), and Robusta from Ilocos Sur. In addition to these, Teofilo has their own blends that mix coffee beans from the Philippines and other countries like India, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Whether you’re stopping by the shop or getting coffee beans for home, I hope you’re closer to saying Teofilo’s slogan of “now I can drink black coffee.”

3. Paradise Coffee Roasters

Paradise Coffee Roasters is a coffee company that manages coffee farms in Hawaii, and provides beans from all around the world, including the Philippines. Although the selection of Philippine coffee beans is small in comparison to Kapé and Teofilo, they do have a couple coffee beans from Benguet and Bukidnon, Mindanao. Paradise Coffee Roasters gets their beans from Kalsada, a company in the Philippines that supports local coffee farmers and builds partnerships with businesses to provide these beans wholesale. Each product is roasted to order, some only while supplies last, so check them out while you can! Don’t worry, Paradise Coffee Roasters works with Kalsada each year, replacing the supplies that run out with new coffee beans to try.

The Philippines is home to many varieties of coffee, yet still isn’t well known for the coffee they produce. In fact, the Philippines is one of the few countries that produces all four main types of coffee beans: Arabica, Liberica (known as Barako in the Philippines), Robusta, and Excelsa. This rich coffee production deserves to be explored and shared. These 3 brands are doing great in bringing awareness to the coffee industry in the Philippines and making that coffee accessible worldwide. I hope you check them out and can enjoy some Philippine coffee to start your day.

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Written By Jessa Gagarin

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