The Story Behind Da Lat Destiny Coffee Farm
Travelling slowly offers a unique chance to explore places beyond the usual tourist spots and get to know the local culture. It’s not just about the places you visit, but also the people you meet along the way.
I recently took a trip of about 300km to visit Da Lat, even though it’s only about 120km from where I’m staying in Nha Trang. The journey wasn’t easy due to the mountains and low visibility, but thankfully, my driver, Thrang, was excellent. After two and a half hours, we reached Da Lat Destiny Coffee Farm. I’ll talk more about the city later, Today, I want to share a narrative that touched my soul, of a young man whose dream weaves through the very essence of what it means to travel slowly and with purpose.
My journey took an intriguing turn when my driver decided to venture towards a secluded coffee farm, nestled just beyond the city’s hustle. We navigated through a labyrinth of dirt roads, surrounded by a dense forest that seemed to stretch endlessly. Amidst this wilderness, a simple shack appeared in the distance.
Stepping out of the car, the serene silence was broken by the welcoming purrs of a friendly cat, a gentle guardian of this hidden gem. A sign, almost whispering an invitation, instructed us to call a number, promising that the host would join us shortly as he was tending to the fields. No sooner had I dialled the number than a young man burst into view, descending the hill with a vibrant energy. His voice, filled with genuine warmth, echoed through the air, “Welcome, welcome, welcome!” This simple yet heartfelt greeting marked the beginning of an unforgettable encounter, bridging the gap between us and the mysterious charm of this secluded farm.
Tram shared his journey with such passion, that it was as if the very essence of coffee flowed through his veins. His vision was clear – to cultivate coffee in harmony with the land he told us his story while making us coffee.
He learned about coffee growing from a commercial grower but wanted his farm to be different. He aimed for high-quality coffee and Cascara Tea without using harmful chemicals. Just nine months ago, he couldn’t speak English, but after some tutoring and using Duolingo, he has mastered English and keeps improving.
As he brewed the coffee for us, Tram dove into explaining how he ferments his beans, a process that seemed to have its rhythm and rhyme. Yet, it was his passion that shone through, especially when he talked about how he captured the essence of nature in his coffee. He described blending the flavours of the mountain, forest, earth, and sky into each cup. His commitment to gentle farming was clear too—he avoids chemicals completely, relying instead on natural fertilizers from his chickens and water from a nearby stream. He called it the “taste of happiness.”
When I asked him if making good coffee was hard, he looked me straight in the eye and said, “Not when it’s made with love.” He shared that with enough love, every hurdle just becomes another challenge to beat. Tram’s journey hasn’t been easy, especially after a fire damaged his farm earlier in the year, but his love for what he does turned those obstacles into steps forward.
After we enjoyed our cups of coffee, we decided to take a walk up the hill to see his coffee trees up close. He was eager to show us around and explain every step of his coffee-making process. As we wandered among the trees, he shared that this year had been particularly good for him, yielding 40 kilograms of top-quality coffee beans. I was already hooked by the story and the quality of his work, so I knew I had to buy some of his coffee to take home with me, regardless of the cost.
To my surprise, when I asked about buying some, he told me he was selling 250 grams of this amazing coffee for only $14. That price seemed incredibly low for such high-quality coffee, especially considering all the care and passion he pours into his craft. It felt almost like stumbling upon a hidden treasure, one that I was eager to share with friends back home. The thought of enjoying this coffee again, and the memories it would bring back of this special visit, was priceless.
Leaving Destiny Farm and Mr Bean after hours of heartfelt conversation wasn’t easy; I felt like I was saying goodbye to a dear friend I’d known forever. Tears welled up as I walked away, but it was his farewell that echoed in my mind long after. “This is where my heart belongs, truly,” he said with a serene smile. “Coffee is honest, and today, it brought us together to share something beautiful.” Those moments we spent, immersed in genuine joy and connection over cups of coffee, were a vivid reminder of what it means to live and love deeply. His lifestyle, steeped in love and coffee, left an indelible mark on me, embodying the essence of meaningful living.
Love MyLifestyle
