BASLAY FOREST COFFEE

In the foothills of Mount Talinis, on a dormant volcano, until 1985, it was not nature that dominated, but Kaingeros.

Kaingeros are those who make “kaingin”. Kaingin is a human activity associated with illegal logging. But after cutting down the trees, they are also burned for “ulinga” or charcoal.

Kaingin is a traditional but destructive method of farming that has unfortunately become a way of life for many Filipinos living in the mountainous regions of the Philippines. This is one of the main reasons for deforestation in those days.

The Energy Development Corporation (EDC), a leading producer of geothermal and renewable energy in the country, has developed the Baslay Coffee program at one of its geothermal power plants in Dauin, Negros Oriental to empower local kaingeros and provide them with more sustainable livelihood opportunities. and also protect nature.

Through a massive information and educational communication campaign on environmental conservation and the technical, economic, and social development of coffee farming, the program successfully recruited 123 residents, former Kaingero farmers, as members of the Balai Farmers Association, turning them into environmental advocates. and thereby save 220 hectares of forest land from destruction.

The previously exposed forest land is now a refuge for birds and many species of wildlife. Currently the main source of wild-grown “forest coffee”.

The organization has managed to restore more than 200 hectares, and since 2022 the organization is already growing 120 hectares of organic coffee - the result of more than 30 years of reforestation.

Baslay Highland Brew Coffee - farm coffee

Baslay Highland Brew Coffee is located about 40 minutes from downtown Dumaguete.

The tarmac road ends about 500 meters from Baslay Highland Brew Coffee and leads up a steep and rocky climb to the top. The rest of the road is by no means smooth but can be handled by two people on a scooter.

The first thing you'll notice is the giant three-story bamboo fort that doubles as an observation deck and a place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. Offering incredible views of the countryside to Apo Island and Mindanao.

Baslay Highland Brew Coffee is not just a coffee shop, it is a plantation in the foothills of one of the province's highest mountains. Here the beans are grown, roasted, and brewed on-site, ensuring 100% organic coffee. The coffee itself is very, very strong and rich, available in Arabica and Robusta varieties.

They have website where you can supposedly write and order coffee. But they only sent me information in the newsletter, and how to buy coffee... you just have to come in person. No questions were answered, this text is all that we managed to find out.

This is interesting. I see this mountain from afar and why is it associated with a movie about dinosaurs, where naturally this volcanic mountain eventually erupts.