Arabica and Robusta coffee have been cultivated in Lam Dong for a long time. In 2022, Lam Dong had approximately 175,915.7 hectares of coffee plants, with a yield of 532,373.8 tons, of which Arabica coffee accounted for about 16,972 hectares, representing 10.2% of the total area. Coffee-producing companies in Lam Dong have won numerous awards at specialty coffee competitions in Vietnam organized by the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association. In 2019, Lam Dong Province had 4 companies winning specialty coffee awards with 5 products. In 2022, the province had 3 Robusta and 5 Arabica samples winning specialty coffee awards. In 2023, the Lam Dong geographical region had 2 Arabica and 2 Robusta coffee samples ranking in the Top 10. For specialty coffee samples, the Lam Dong region had 7 Robusta and 5 Arabica products.
Products bearing the Lam Dong geographical indication include: Arabica coffee (green beans, roasted beans, ground coffee) and Robusta coffee (green beans, roasted beans, ground coffee).
Thanks to the high-altitude cultivation area, climatic conditions, soil conditions, and production processes, Lam Dong coffee has unique characteristics and quality, specifically:
Arabica green beans have a deep jade-gray color. Caffeine content is greater than or equal to 1.57%, and crude protein content ranges from 14.73% to 14.92%.
  

 

Arabica roasted beans have a slightly dark brown color and a glossy appearance. Aroma includes apricot, yellow lemon, peach, orange, lime, green apple, almond, brown sugar, chocolate, rose tea, and honey. Flavor features the acidity of orange, lemon, apricot, and peach. Caffeine content is greater than or equal to 1.77%, and crude protein content ranges from 15.44% to 15.64%.
  

 

Arabica ground coffee has a dark brown color and a wet sheen. Aroma includes apricot, yellow lemon, peach, orange, lime, almond, brown sugar, chocolate, rose tea, and honey. The aftertaste is sweet, clean, and pleasantly lingering. Flavor features the acidity of orange, lemon, apricot, and peach. Caffeine content (%) is greater than or equal to 1.76%, and crude protein content ranges from 15.44% to 15.64%.
  

 

Robusta green beans have a bright gray color with a slight yellow-green tint. Caffeine content is greater than or equal to 2.64%, and crude protein content ranges from 17.01% to 17.27%. 

  

 
Robusta roasted beans have a dark brown color with a slight sheen. Aroma leans toward fresh fruit notes of peach, apricot, red apple, with light chocolate, floral, sugarcane sweetness, black tea, rose tea, caramel, and dried fruit. Flavor is mildly salty, slightly bitter, and moderately sweet. Caffeine content is greater than or equal to 2.69%, and crude protein content ranges from 17.87% to 18.41%. 

  

 

 
Robusta ground coffee has a slightly yellowish-brown color. Aroma leans toward fresh fruit notes of peach, apricot, red apple, with light chocolate, floral, sugarcane sweetness, essential oils, black tea, rose tea, caramel, and dried fruit. The aftertaste is clean and sweet. Flavor features moderate acidity of orange and lemon, mildly salty, slightly bitter, and moderately sweet with a clean finish. Caffeine content is greater than or equal to 2.71%, and crude protein content ranges from 17.75% to 18.33%. 

  

 

 
The coffee-growing region in Lam Dong is at a higher altitude compared to other areas (ranging from 1,200 meters to over 2,200 meters for Arabica coffee and concentrated at 700 to 850 meters for Robusta coffee). Some studies have concluded that altitude affects the color of green coffee beans. In high-altitude regions, the cooler climate prolongs the ripening period of coffee cherries, resulting in fuller bean development, denser structure (higher bean density), and a brighter, more uniform jade-green color. Conversely, in low-altitude regions, higher temperatures cause faster ripening, resulting in a porous bean structure (lower bean density) and a tendency for the color to turn yellowish or dull due to oxidation.
The altitude of the coffee-growing region not only affects the color but also, together with soil factors, directly influences the crude protein content and flavor of the coffee. Lam Dong coffee is cultivated at higher elevations in soil rich in organic matter and total nitrogen, resulting in higher crude protein content and a richer flavor due to the intense Maillard reaction during roasting.
Lam Dong Arabica coffee is suitable for those who prefer a strong taste due to its high caffeine content. The caffeine content in Lam Dong coffee is elevated because the soil in Lam Dong is rich in minerals (particularly abundant available potassium and nitrogen), has a slightly acidic pH (4.79 - 5.58), and exhibits high cation exchange capacity.
The Robusta coffee-growing regions of Lam Dong, Buon Ma Thuot, and Dak Ha have relatively similar altitudes. However, due to the adoption of natural farming methods, coffee plants in Lam Dong face more pests and diseases. To defend themselves, the plants activate biological mechanisms and produce more caffeine, thereby increasing the caffeine content in the beans of Lam Dong Robusta coffee.
Additionally, coffee growers (both Arabica and Robusta) in Lam Dong province plant shade trees and forest belts in their coffee gardens. These practices reduce ambient temperatures, slowing the ripening process of the coffee cherries. Techniques such as selecting ripe cherries (with a ripening rate of 95% or higher), hand-sorting the finished coffee beans, and strictly controlling roasting temperature and time are meticulously followed by coffee processors in the Lam Dong geographical region. The products—green coffee beans, roasted coffee beans, and ground coffee—are packaged within the geographical area to ensure traceability of the product's origin.
The unique combination of natural conditions and production processes in the geographical area has made Lam Dong coffee renowned.
The geographical area corresponding to the geographical indication "Lam Dong" for coffee products in Lam Dong province has been approved by the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, as follows: 

- Geographical area corresponding to the geographical indication "Lam Dong" for Arabica coffee products:
Da Lat City: Wards 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11 and the communes of Xuan Tho, Ta Nung, Tram Hanh, Xuan Truong.
Lac Duong District: Lac Duong Town and the communes of Da Chais, Da Nhim, Dung K'No, Lat, Da Sar.
Don Duong District: D'Ran Town.
Lam Ha District: The communes of Phu Son, Phi To, Me Linh, Dong Thanh.
Dam Rong District: The communes of Da Long, Da Tong. 

- Geographical area corresponding to the geographical indication "Lam Dong" for Robusta coffee products:
Da Lat City: Ward 5 and Ta Nung Commune.
Bao Loc City: Wards 2, Loc Phat, Loc Tien, B'Lao, Loc Son and the communes of Dam Bri, Loc Thanh, Loc Nga, Loc Chau, Dai Lao.
Lac Duong District: Lat Commune.
Di Linh District: Di Linh Town and the communes of Dinh Trang Thuong, Tan Thuong, Tan Lam, Tan Chau, Tan Nghia, Gia Hiep, Dinh Lac, Tam Bo, Dinh Trang Hoa, Lien Dam, Gung Re, Bao Thuan, Hoa Ninh, Hoa Trung, Hoa Nam, Hoa Bac, Son Dien, Gia Bac.
Duc Trong District: The communes of Hiep An, Lien Hiep, Hiep Thanh, Binh Thanh, N'Thol Ha, Tan Hoi, Tan Thanh, Phu Hoi, Ninh Gia, Ta Nang, Da Quyn, Ta Hine, Da Loan, Ninh Loan.
Don Duong District: D'Ran Town and the communes of Lac Xuan, Da Ron, Ka Do, Quang Lap, Ka Don, Tu Tra, Pro.
Lam Ha District: The towns of Dinh Van, Nam Ban and the communes of Phu Son, Phi To, Me Linh, Da Don, Phuc Tho, Dong Thanh, Gia Lam, Tan Thanh, Tan Van, Hoai Duc, Tan Ha, Lien Ha, Dan Phuong, Nam Ha.
Dam Rong District: The communes of Da Tong, Da Long, Da M'Rong, Lieng Sronh, Da Rsal, Ro Men, Phi Lieng, Da K'Nang.
Bao Lam District: Loc Thang Town and the communes of Loc Bao, Loc Lam, Loc Phu, Loc Bac, B'La, Loc Nga, Loc Quang, Loc Tan, Loc Duc, Loc An, Tan Lac, Loc Thanh, Loc Nam.
Da Hoai District: The towns of Da M'ri, Ma Da Guoi and the communes of Ha Lam, Da Ton, Da Oai, Da Ploa, Doan Ket, Phuoc Loc.
Da Teh District: Da Teh Town and the communes of Quoc Oai, My Duc, Quang Tri, Da Lay, Trieu Hai, Da Kho, Da Pal.
Cat Tien District: Phuoc Cat Town and the communes of Tien Hoang, Phuoc Cat 2, Gia Vien, Nam Ninh.Quang Ngai, Dong Nai Thuong. 

Source: Bảo hộ chỉ dẫn địa lý “Lâm Đồng” cho sản phẩm cà phê
Translator: Nguyễn Hải Phong