Pa-O Villages

Meet the Grower

Behind the Leaf

Behind the Leaf Coffee (BTL) in Pinlaung Township, Southern Shan State, operates a wet/dry mill and roastery to process coffee grown by the Pa-O families of the surrounding villages. By linking farmers to the international specialty coffee market, BTL has more than doubled the price paid for ripe, hand-picked coffee cherries in the area. Since its first season in 2016, production has grown from 2 tons to 37 tons annually, benefiting over 1,091 smallholder farmers across 54 villages. Employing 50 local women seasonally and a dedicated core team of 15 experts, BTL fosters economic opportunity and development, aiming to help families and communities thrive even in challenging times.