Wallop Pasananon, affectionately known in the coffee community as "P'Wan," is the owner of Nine One Coffee in Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, and a dedicated producer of premium organic coffee. Originally from Chanthaburi with over 15 years in civil service, his deep love for nature inspired him to revitalize the local Miang (wild tea) forests.
Interestingly, his journey into the coffee world wasn't initially driven by a passion for the drink, but rather by a desire to create sustainable local jobs while preserving the ecosystem. Coffee proved to be the perfect solution—it thrives under the shade of diverse native trees, requiring zero deforestation. It became the ideal crop to sustain both the community's livelihood and the forest's abundance.
Quality Over Quantity: The Shade-Grown Philosophy
P'Wan’s coffee is cultivated in perfect harmony with nature across 200 rai of land, divided into three distinct elevations:
- Pa Miang: 1,000–1,200 meters above sea level (his very first planting area).
- Pa Pan: 1,100–1,300 meters above sea level.
- Mae Ton Luang: 1,400–1,500 meters above sea level.
Because the coffee is planted seamlessly among existing flora without cutting down a single tree, the actual planting area utilizes only about half of the total land. This true shade-grown method yields a highly limited production of just 2 tons of green coffee beans annually. For P'Wan, this is intentional. He prioritizes quality over quantity, focusing entirely on crafting unique, specialty coffees whose distinct character can be experienced from the very first sip.
Elevating Thai Coffee to the Global Stage
The exceptional quality of Nine One Coffee is proven by its prestigious accolades:
- 1st Place at the Thai Specialty Coffee Awards 2018 (Dry Process).
- 1st Place at the Thai Specialty Coffee Awards 2020 (Washed Process) with a stellar cupping score of 88.80.
This 2020 victory shattered Thai coffee history with a record-breaking auction price of 27,210 THB per kilogram. Beyond his award-winning beans, P'Wan offers highly sought-after single-origin coffees from his three farm zones, celebrated by coffee enthusiasts locally and globally. Today, he actively shares his expertise through workshops, earning profound respect as a pioneer who elevated Thai coffee varietals to compete on the world stage.
Signature Coffee Highlights
The secret to Nine One Coffee lies in its meticulous harvesting. Only perfectly ripe cherries are handpicked, carefully separated by varietal and color (such as red versus yellow cherries). This rigorous attention to detail results in premium coffee with deeply complex aromas.
- Light Roast: Vibrant floral notes and refreshing mixed berries.
- Medium Roast: Rich, comforting aromas of caramel and chocolate.
