Despite the fact that coffee has not long been grown in China, the specialty coffee scene has come a long way in just 10-20 years. 

This is partly thanks to support and knowledge offered by those who have invested in this emerging market, but also due to the region’s unique experience and expertise in tea cultivation—offering a robust framework for agricultural practices and quality control. 

The motivation to move towards specialty coffee comes from both home and abroad. For existing producers of commodity coffee (coffee produced in large volumes with little regard to quality or flavour), the knowledge that smaller and more refined batches can lead to incredibly profitable yields is enough for many farm owners to start adapting their ways. 

Chinese consumers are also demanding higher quality coffees as appetite for this drink grows, especially across the middle class. And these drinkers now take pride in the fact that some of the best coffee available now comes from China, contributing to further consumption. 

At the same time, experimentation in coffee production is happening as we speak. The results of this may take Yunnan coffee to new levels, with recently planted Typica, Bourbon, Pacamara and even Geisha species being added to the future mix of export stock — creating even more complexity and potential for Yunnan specialty coffee in the world market. 

Yunnan is the largest coffee-producing region in China and responsible for around 95 percent of the country's total coffee output. 

Changing Global Perceptions 

Reputations can sometimes be deceiving in the world of coffee. Often, a country’s inherent potential for producing high quality specialty beans is diminished and clouded by the growing practices of small groups.

China, unfortunately, has suffered from this same fate with many considering it a producer of low quality coffees that are only good for instant coffees or blending with higher quality crops. 

This is largely due the fact that Yunnan hasn’t, until now, had a huge pool of coffee farms exporting globally. Many that have existed have been focused on mass produced commodity coffee to be traded in high volumes with little consideration for quality or taste. 

Today, when roasters and drinkers get the chance to sample the best of Yunnan, perceptions quickly change and many roasters and subscription suppliers in Europe are introducing single origin Yunnan coffees into their lines. Beyond the fact that coffee from China is new and exciting (something that always sells), it’s quickly gaining a reputation for amazing quality.

The Future of Yunnan Specialty Coffee from Yunnan

As more investments are made into specialty coffee infrastructure in Yunnan, we’re likely to see Chinese coffees receive even more attention on the world stage—aided by the experimentation and innovation taking place today. 

If all this continues, we’ve no doubt Yunnan coffee will play an important role in global consumption over the next half a century, during an especially precarious time for the planet where coffee supply (sourced primarily from traditional producers like Brazil) is predicted to drop by half due to the effects of climate change. 

Explore Our Range of Yunnan Single Origin Coffees!