Comma Coffee is a specialty coffee roastery and café brand based in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic. Known for its locally sourced, roasted, and brewed Lao coffee, Comma Coffee stands out as a hub of quality, sustainability, and community engagement in Laos’s growing coffee industry. The company blends local tradition with third-wave coffee principles, placing emphasis on traceability, single-origin sourcing, and artisanal brewing methods.
Core Business
Comma Coffee operates a dual-focused business model that includes:
- Coffee Roasting and Retail Sales: Offering premium-grade roasted beans sourced from highland farms across the Bolaven Plateau and northern Laos.
- Café Operations: Providing expertly brewed coffee drinks and a curated customer experience at its café locations in Vientiane.
With a commitment to supporting local farmers and creating ethical coffee supply chains, Comma Coffee serves as a bridge between Lao coffee producers and regional specialty coffee markets.
Product and Service Offerings
Comma Coffee offers a range of high-quality, locally roasted coffee products and in-store café beverages:
-
Roasted Coffee Beans:
- Single-Origin Lao Arabica (hand-selected micro-lots)
- Single-Origin Lao Robusta (shade-grown, sun-dried)
- Seasonal and experimental blends
-
Brewed Coffee Beverages:
- Espresso-based drinks: Espresso, Americano, Latte, Cappuccino
- Cold Brew and Iced Coffee
- Signature coffee-based beverages featuring local ingredients
-
Hand Drip / Pour Over Options:
- Specialty pour-over selection using V60 and Chemex methods
- Focus on flavor notes and coffee origin storytelling
-
Merchandise and Brewing Gear:
- Branded mugs, tumblers
- Home brewing equipment (drippers, grinders, filters)
Products are available for direct purchase in-store and at selected local partner shops, with limited online retail presence through social media engagement.
Specialization and Core USP
Comma Coffee’s strengths are rooted in:
- 100% Lao Origin: Every coffee bean is sourced from Lao farmers in Bolaven Plateau, Xieng Khouang, and other highland regions known for volcanic soil and optimal elevation.
- Direct Trade and Transparency: Relationships with farmers ensure fair prices and sustainable practices.
- Artisan Roasting: Small-batch roasting process preserving bean integrity and showcasing terroir.
- Third-Wave Coffee Ethos: Focus on brewing precision, traceability, and customer education.
Financials and Operational Scale
As a boutique enterprise, Comma Coffee operates within the SME sector in Laos with a growing urban customer base and increasing recognition among tourists and expats.
- Estimated Annual Volume: 5–8 metric tons of roasted beans
- Retail Footprint: 1 flagship café + select wholesale partners in Vientiane
- Employee Count: 10–15 staff across production and service
- Revenue Range: Estimated between $100,000–$250,000 USD annually
Growth is primarily organic through word-of-mouth, social media marketing, and tourism-focused foot traffic.
Shipment Data
Comma Coffee primarily serves the domestic market but has initiated small-scale exports and collaborations:
- Export Activity: Sample and specialty batch exports to Japan, Thailand, and Singapore
- Typical Export Size: 5kg to 50kg micro-lot shipments for roasters or events
- Packaging: Eco-friendly, resealable craft paper bags with degassing valves
Target Market
Comma Coffee appeals to:
- Specialty coffee drinkers in Laos
- Expats and tourists seeking quality Lao coffee experiences
- Café owners and restaurants sourcing locally roasted beans
- Coffee connoisseurs and home brewers across Southeast Asia
Capabilities
- Small-Batch Roasting Facility with sample profiling and batch consistency
- Barista Training and sensory workshops for staff and customers
- In-house Quality Control using SCA cupping standards
- Coffee Origin Tours and Storytelling Integration in retail
Certifications and Compliance
While Comma Coffee currently operates outside global certification programs, it maintains rigorous internal standards including:
- Farm-to-Cup Transparency
- Ethical Direct Trade Sourcing
- Natural and Washed Processed Beans
- Eco-Friendly Packaging and Waste Reduction Practices
Future expansion plans include pursuing certifications like Organic, Fair Trade, or SCA membership as the brand scales.
Customer Testimonials
“Comma Coffee is not just about great taste—it’s about celebrating Lao coffee heritage with style and soul.”
— Local Food Blogger, Vientiane Times
“One of the few places in Laos that understands specialty coffee. The single-origin Arabica is excellent.”
— Traveler Review, TripAdvisor
Major Achievements
- Featured in the Laos Tourism Board’s Culinary Experience Guide
- Recognized by local media for ethical coffee sourcing and youth employment
- Invited presenter at regional coffee events in Southeast Asia
- Developed strategic relationships with sustainable farming cooperatives in Bolaven Plateau
- Rapid post-pandemic recovery driven by domestic tourism and digital outreach
Comma Coffee is more than a café—it is a movement to elevate Lao coffee to the global stage. Through ethical sourcing, artisanal roasting, and a passion for storytelling, the company is helping redefine the future of specialty coffee in Laos.
