GEISHA - A Hidden Gem from the Forests of Nan

A Hidden Gem from the Forests of Nan

To become one of the finest Geisha coffees in Nan — one of Thailand’s premier coffee-producing regions — is no easy journey. Nan has become renowned for producing award-winning coffees, sweeping top honors in Thai specialty coffee competitions year after year.

Nestled in Baan Maneepruek, Ngob Subdistrict, Thung Chang District, Nan Province, at elevations between 1,400–1,600 meters above sea level, the area offers exceptionally fertile conditions ideal for coffee cultivation. Yet in the beginning, local villagers lacked both knowledge and access to high-quality coffee varieties.

This is where the story of Kaleb Jordan begins.

Born and raised on these mountains, Kaleb is truly a son of Nan. His family arrived in the village in 1977 as missionaries, during a time when the mountainous region was still considered a politically sensitive “red zone.” After later pursuing university studies in Indiana, United States, Kaleb had the opportunity to intern at a church where he was responsible for roasting coffee. That experience sparked his fascination with the world of coffee.

When he returned to Thailand in 2005 to help his father translate the Bible for missionary work, his father encouraged him to use his coffee knowledge to support local villagers — many of whom had to leave their homes to work elsewhere for survival. The vision was simple yet powerful: help people build sustainable livelihoods on their own land and live with dignity and happiness.

Determined to make that vision a reality, Kaleb emailed a friend in Panama — the owner of Hacienda La Esmeralda, a legendary farm whose coffees had won prestigious competitions three consecutive years — asking for Geisha seeds to experiment with planting in Nan.

The seeds arrived, but the journey was far from easy. Some failed to germinate, others were lost to mold, until eventually only a single surviving tree remained. Driven by a desire to discover the best coffee varieties for the region, Kaleb sent more than 100 emails to coffee farms across Africa and South America hoping to obtain more seeds and knowledge. None replied. Discouraged but not defeated, a fortunate turning point came when Uncle Boonyuen heard about Kaleb’s coffee initiative and offered to share seeds from an experimental plot in Chiang Mai containing over 40 coffee varieties. That marked the true beginning of serious experimentation.

After years of dedicated cultivation, the coffee trees finally began producing cherries. Word spread, and visitors from Bangkok traveled to Baan Maneepruek to see the Geisha and other rare varieties Kaleb was growing. What was once uncertainty among villagers slowly transformed into excitement and hope. More locals began learning about coffee cultivation and planting coffee themselves.

Kaleb then established a small roastery to support the growing harvest and began purchasing coffee cherries from villagers at fair prices. Over time, local farmers gained more stable incomes and improved quality of life.

After nearly 20 years of working alongside the community, Kaleb’s dedication led Baan Maneepruek Geisha to win Thailand’s Best Specialty Coffee award in 2023. The coffee later achieved auction prices as high as 10,000 THB per kilogram — a milestone that elevated both the livelihoods of local farmers and the reputation of Thai specialty coffee to international standards.

Today, Baan Maneepruek has become a dream destination for coffee lovers seeking some of the finest coffees Thailand has to offer.

Coffee from the mountaintops of Baan Maneepruek, Nan, is now recognized as one of Thailand’s greatest coffee treasures.

This is not just another Geisha coffee — it is a Geisha that beautifully reflects the true potential of Thai coffee.

Geisha from Baan Maneepruek is distinguished by its elegant pink floral aromatics, layered berry sweetness, and notes reminiscent of Earl Grey tea, finishing with a refreshing mint-like coolness that creates an exceptionally refined and complex cup.