Laotians drink coffee (kaa-feh Lao) in a plastic bag

Laos' coffee is great, but it is not as well known as it should be. It is to Laos what tea is to Sri Lanka, and it is the country's largest agricultural export. Arabica and Robusta coffee varietals are both grown in Laos, mostly on the Bolaven Plateau, which has cool temperatures and plenty of rain - great conditions for coffee cultivation!

The French colonists introduced coffee to Laos and agricultural techniques that are still used today. The majority of the farming households on the plateau grow coffee, producing 15–20,000 tons each year! The majority of Laos' Robusta coffee is shipped to Thailand, whereas Arabica is often sold within the country.

A classic Laotian iced coffee from a street stand is served in a plastic bag with loads of ice and a straw, with a hefty dollop of condensed milk in the bottom. It's not the best for the environment (make sure you properly dispose of the plastic!) but it sure tastes wonderful.