From Curiosity to Cup: Exploring Coffee from China
You might’ve noticed something new on our menu — a coffee from China.
That’s a first for us, and we’re really excited about it!
We’re always up for exploring new origins and processes. We don’t like getting too set in the “this is how it’s always been done” ideology, and we’re all about bringing new experiences to our customers. So when we came across this lot from Yunnan, it immediately caught our attention.
A closer look at where it comes from
One of our green bean suppliers, Condesa, sourced this lot through SMS ECOM China, a team that works closely with farmers and cooperatives on the ground. The coffee comes from the Tianyu Cooperative in Menglian County, Yunnan, led by Ms Ye Ping — an ethnic Wa woman who’s been instrumental in empowering local farmers and developing sustainable agricultural practices.
Under Ye Ping’s leadership, Tianyu has invested in modern equipment like color sorters for coffee cherries and embraced eco-friendly techniques that help lift both quality and consistency. Beyond coffee, the co-op also grows tea, peanuts, rice, and fruit — a smart move for community resilience and environmental balance.
Quality and innovation on the rise
The quality of Chinese coffee has advanced dramatically in recent years.
Producers across Yunnan are adopting selective picking, careful post-harvest processing, and experimenting with honey, anaerobic, and yeast fermentations. The result? Coffees that are expressive, vibrant, and far from the “low-grade” reputation Chinese coffee once carried.
It’s an exciting time to be tasting from this origin — and this lot from Tianyu is a great example of how quickly things are evolving.
What makes this origin special
Condesa shared how the energy and openness of Chinese producers stand out. Many are relatively new to specialty coffee, which means they’re keen to learn, collaborate, and innovate. Add to that support from global infrastructure and passionate local leaders like Ye Ping, and the path for continued progress is clear.
It’s not just about coffee, either — Tianyu’s focus on empowering women farmers and sustainable growth brings real meaning to every cup.
Changing perceptions
There’s still some hesitation when people hear “coffee from China.” But that’s changing fast. With its ideal growing conditions, modern equipment, and forward-thinking cooperatives, Yunnan is emerging as a serious specialty region.
The coffees themselves are distinct — often tea-like, delicate, and layered, or fruit-forward and juicy depending on the process. This diversity is exactly what makes it exciting.
The bigger picture
China’s role in coffee is twofold: it’s becoming both a producer origin and a fast-growing consumer market. As domestic demand for quality rises, farmers are encouraged to push quality even higher — a feedback loop that fuels progress on both ends.
It’s still early days, but the trajectory is clear. China is carving its place on the global coffee map, and we’re stoked to be part of that story, even in a small way.
In the cup
Our lot from the Tianyu Cooperative is a beauty — dark chocolate, ripe banana, black and sour cherry, with hints of tobacco and wine-like depth. A juicy, energetic brew with bold edges and a complex structure.
Final sip
For us, this coffee isn’t just about trying something new — it’s about celebrating progress, people, and possibility.
If you’ve given it a go, we’d love to hear what you think.
Here’s to more coffees that surprise us in the best way.
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