Malayvanh & David Dale

Malayvanh Dale has played a key role in the formation and success of Saffron Coffee. Born in Vientiane (the capital of Laos) and married to David in 2005, Malayvanh has provided critical support in multiple facets of the Saffron Coffee effort in Laos. As a Lao national, she understands the heart and soul of all the people who help produce Saffron Coffee —the growers and workers. Malayvanh also manages the Saffron Espresso Caffè in Luang Prabang, which brews the freshest of Saffron Coffee for all the international tourists to enjoy.

David Dale has worked in Laos since 2001 and has had a burden to help the poorest of the Lao farmers who live in the mountainous regions. David’s vision is to do economic development through agricultural promotion in which a sustainable market is provided to the people as well as a sustainable crop. This vision has been birthed in Saffron Coffee —the only coffee cooperative in Luang Prabang and all of northern Laos. Fluent in the Lao language, David enjoys working closely with the peoples of Laos, surveying new areas for coffee growing and seeing the faces of the farmers when they receive the benefit of their labor.

Mountain villages of Hmong, Gasak, Yao (Mien) and Khmu People

The coffee growers of the Saffron Coffee cooperative are the heart of Saffron Coffee. They are the ones who carefully manage and cultivate each coffee tree, giving it the personal attention necessary to produce such a high-quality Arabica coffee. Saffron Coffee Growers come from many villages and hilltribes in the mountains that surround the World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. They are mostly Hmong, Gasak, Yao (Mien) and Khmu. The growers are the focus of our efforts and the beneficiaries of the abundance imparted to them by you, when you purchase and enjoy a cup of Saffron Coffee.

The Hmong

The Hmong hilltribe inhabits the highest mountain peaks and plateaus around Luang Prabang and are known for their industriousness and hard-work. After carefully harvesting their coffee, some Hmong men and women load the baskets of coffee onto the backs of indigenous horses to bring the coffee down the mountain and to the village.

The Gasak

The Gasak are a very small and special tribe of people only found in one district in the province of Luang Prabang. Altogether, the Gasak inhabit a total of eight villages–all high in the mountains in Saffron Coffee growing territory. The Gasak were reportedly those designated to serve the king and the royal family when Luang Prabang was the royal capital of Laos and the kings ruled from the palace there.

The Yao (Mien)

The Yao, also known as the Mien, inhabit the highest mountains of the Nan district of Luang Prabang. The Yao are known for their sophistication and innovation. Old ladies spend their time embroidering intricate designs. Their highland meadows, once blanketed by colorful opium poppy flowers, are now being planted with Arabica coffee.

The Khmu

The Khmu hilltribe represents the earliest inhabitants of what is now Luang Prabang, Laos. The Khmu can be found dwelling in valleys or high on the mountain slopes. They often live in close proximity to the Hmong and other hilltribes. One of the poorest hilltribes in Laos, the Khmu are known for their patient endurance but soon will be seeing the improvements growing coffee brings to their lives and villages.