Joshua Jones: The Three Corner Coffee Ethical Coffee Pioneer
Joshua Jones, originally from Minnesota, has spent the majority of the last 32 years in Cambodia. With a moderate fluency in Khmer and a diverse work background, Joshua co-founded Three Corner Coffee Roaster in 2010 alongside a missionary couple. Their mission was clear: to foster an ethical and sustainable coffee industry within Cambodia.
“Beyond espresso brewing and café management, I had a rather limited knowledge of the coffee value chain,” Joshua recalls. “In those early years we learned as we went: standardised production processes, established partnerships with Indigenous Bunong coffee farmers, and developed the domestic market for high-quality, fresh-roasted coffee beans grown in Cambodia.” These efforts were not in vain and firmly established Three Corner Coffee Roaster as Cambodia’s first international-standard coffee roaster.
Joshua temporarily pursued other opportunities in mid-2013 but remained connected to Three Corner Coffee Roaster. In 2017, he took over the company completely. “It wasn’t a difficult decision,” he says, reflecting on his passion for ethically sourced, locally produced coffees.
In 2018, Ms. Sona Sam joined the executive team as Assistant Managing Director. Together, they refined their vision, focusing on eco-friendly and waste reduction policies, sustainable products, and impactful business practices. They continue to pursue partnerships with clients like Six Senses (Koh Krabey) and Hyatt Regency (Phnom Penh), and work alongside organisations such as Platform Impact, OXFAM, and Young Entrepreneurs of Cambodia (YEAC).
Sustaining a Dream: The Journey of Three Corner Coffee Roaster
Operating since 2010, the dream of Three Corner Coffee Roaster is to see the sustainable development of the Cambodian coffee industry’s full value chain. “There is no other story that encompasses the Cambodian coffee industry’s full value chain quite like ours,” Joshua asserts.
Cambodia, with its young and dynamic population, is ripe for change. “Now is the time for the coffee industry to help this generation of Cambodians let go of the old business mentality and generate momentum for inclusive, collaborative, impactful, and profitable businesses,” he says.
Over the last 14 years, sourcing more than 80 tons of green coffee beans from Indigenous Bunong farmers stands as a testament to their dedication. Joshua highlights the partnerships with specialty coffee roasting partners like Gourmet Beverage Solutions and So Wat Roasters. Looking forward, they aim to establish a post-harvest processing line and storage location in Mondulkiri, with support from Platform Impact, USAID – Feed the Future program, and other impact investors.
The Backbone of Three Corner Coffee Roaster: Core Values and Ethical Practices
Joshua identifies the company’s “3 Give Backs” as the best aspect of their business. The first is to the farmers, sourcing coffees at or above fair-trade values through a direct trade model. “The Indigenous Bunong farmers were the first to grow coffee in Indochina, and we are working to see their legacy revitalised,” he says.
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The second give back is to their team, providing fair wages, proper benefits, and a positive working environment. “We encourage our team members to honour our five company virtues: Teamwork, Time Management, Communication, Commonality, and Respect,” Joshua explains. Employees are urged to gain hands-on experience and continually learn, with no expectation of lifelong tenure at the company.
The final give back is to their customers and partners. “Our motto is ‘Where Quality Meets Freshness,’ ensuring our coffee is no older than 10 days from the date of roast,” Joshua states. Certified by the Institute of Standards of Cambodia and the Halal Certification, they maintain rigorous production and hygiene standards.
Joshua concludes, “Our three givebacks help us stay on track towards our mission and goals. The full value chain starts with the farmers and continues through our team to our clients, ensuring sustainable success for everyone involved.”
 | Cambodia |
 | https://threecornercoffeeroaster.com/ |
 | 078 800 213 |
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
