Laos Pilots Hydrogen Roasted Coffee Project – CoffeeTalk

Lao Green Hydrogen Co is collaborating closely with local farmers in Laos for the procurement of raw coffee beans, emphasizing a commitment to high-quality production while ensuring that the value generated remains within Laos. Their innovative approach involves hydrogen roasting, introduced for the first time in 2026, where green beans from Laos are roasted using hydrogen as a heat source. This method is believed to reduce impurities, such as soot, thereby enhancing the beans’ innate characteristics. The outcome is a coffee noted for its refreshing aftertaste and light mouthfeel, ideal for daily consumption.

Following harvesting, beans are carefully selected and dried in Laos. The production site is located in the Pakse-Japan SME SEZ, a special economic zone tailored for Japanese enterprises. Although the impact of hydrogen roasting on taste is not fully understood, LGH posits that the clean thermal environment created by hydrogen flames is conducive to producing what they describe as a “clean taste.”

With a vision for sustainability, LGH is utilizing Laos’ rich hydroelectric resources and moving towards green energy solutions. By 2026, they aim to commence hydrogen roasting with a small roaster, transitioning to large-scale operations using green hydrogen by 2027. This focus on quality aims to ensure a consistent coffee experience.

LGH’s unique initiative has garnered media attention, being featured on NHK’s “Good Morning Japan,” “International News,” and NHK World in late 2025, showcasing the novel integration of hydrogen technology with coffee production.

Through a campaign on Makuake, LGH offers rewards that include hydrogen-roasted Arabica coffee beans, drip bags, tastings, and online courses led by respected coffee journalist Yasuzo Iwasaki. These experiences create an opportunity for consumers to connect with Laos—its agricultural practices, the lives of local farmers, and the promise of future energy sources. LGH continues to pursue this vision of linking Laos and Japan through their coffee.

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