With the rise of third wave specialty coffee shops here in Manila, it?s not unlikely to encounter beans flown in from all over the world like Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Brazil, Costa Rica or even Panama. These are some of the leading producers of the best quality coffee on the planet. The more you know about specialty coffee, the more you realize there?s just so much more to it than just planting coffee seeds and waiting for them to grow and be harvested then roasted. It takes a meticulous and painstaking process to produce crops that will exude the most flavor and aroma, from planting to harvesting to sorting, roasting, grinding and then finally to brewing the perfect cup.
So where does Philippine coffee stand" Filipinos have finally taken to the serious business of growing and producing specialty coffee that passes international standards, with flying colors. My mission this month: find cafes and establishments that boast of this fine brew. Here are some of the places I discovered: Hineleban Café

Serving up some great coffee for an even greater cause is Hineleban Café. Using beans grown by local farmers from Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur, they promote sustainable livelihood and promote the restoration of mountain rainforests in that area. With their gorgeous space along Arnaiz Avenue in Makati, customers are treated to a relaxed and somewhat unique coffee shop vibe. The piccolo or short latte I had here was intense and full-bodied, which I enjoyed. Fruity and bright, ...