By Cui Yin, People’s Daily
Each cup of coffee tells a story—of soil, sun, and soul. Brazil offers bold richness, Jamaica contributes vibrant brightness, Ethiopia serves delicate freshness. Now, the highlands of Yunnan, in southwest China, are writing a new narrative in the global coffee journey, introducing a uniquely Chinese profile that is capturing international acclaim.
This transformation was brought into sharp focus at the 2025 First Gems of Yunnan Green Coffee Competition (Yunnan CoE Pilot Program), hosted in Baoshan. For the first time, Yunnan participated in a Cup of Excellence (CoE)-affiliated event, a globally respected coffee competition model. Out of 144 entries, 19 coffee samples scored above 87 points, crossing the threshold into world-class quality—validated by rigorous blind tastings by an international panel of seasoned coffee judges.
The highest-rated coffee, grown in Lincang, was auctioned at a record-breaking 13,000 yuan (approx. $1,813.65) per kilogram. More than a financial feat, this marked a symbolic shift: Yunnan is evolving from a producer of raw beans to a competitive player in premium coffee. The province now stands under the global spotlight, aligned with CoE’s gold standards of traceability, transparency, and quality.
Since its founding in Brazil in 1999, the CoE has been instrumental in raising quality and income standards for coffee producers. Each participating bean is subjected to detailed evaluation—roasting, grinding, brewing, and cupping—based on parameters such as cleanliness, sweetness, acidity, mouthfeel, and flavor complexity. At the Yunnan competition, a Brazilian farmer named Oliveira, whose beans scored 90 points, expressed sheer delight at being part of a competition that welcomed China onto the global coffee map.
Visitors taste coffee at the Kunshan International Fair at Jiangsu province, (Photo: Dongfang Xu People’s Daily Online)
Yunnan, with its high-altitude terrain, ideal climate, and over a century-long coffee-growing heritage, produces nearly 98% of China’s coffee. Recent improvements in cultivation practices, varietal refinement, and processing techniques have transformed its coffee output. Specialty-grade beans now account for 70% of production (up from 40% in 2022), while deep processing rates have soared to 85%. These factors have cemented Yunnan’s reputation for high-quality coffee.
Globally, coffee has become more than a beverage—it’s a cultural bridge. In China, its rise is especially visible in cities like Shanghai, which now boasts the world’s highest number of coffee shops, outpacing New York and London. For the younger generation, coffee is a lifestyle—a symbol of sophistication, creativity, and community. This reflects the Chinese principle of “harmony without uniformity”: embracing global influences while nurturing a distinct local identity.
Yunnan’s ascent in the specialty coffee world is more than a regional achievement; it’s a cultural milestone. With ongoing efforts to improve quality, scale innovation, and build brand equity, Yunnan is shaping a new global perception of Chinese coffee. It’s a journey from plantation to palate that invites the world to taste a different side of China—rich, refined, and rooted in tradition, yet forward-looking and globally connected.
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Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
