Nearly all of it comes from Yunnan, mostly Catimor arabica sold as commercial grade, though a small specialty segment reports brighter, fruited cups.
Coffee is a recent, geographically narrow crop in China. A French missionary is credited with bringing coffee to Yunnan in the late 19th century, but modern cultivation began in 1988, when the Chinese government, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme jointly launched a program. Nestlé arrived early to encourage cultivation. Yunnan supplies 98% of China's coffee, with arabica and Catimor (a Caturra-Timor hybrid) as the varietal of choice, while Fujian and Hainan mainly grow robusta. Most Chinese beans are commercial grade, and exports are primarily green beans sent to European markets. In 2016 about half of Yunnan's crop was exported. Starbucks alone bought more than half of U.S. coffee imports from China in January to September 2014. A specialty tier has emerged since around 2009, when early adopters such as Hu Xixiang of Mangzhang Farms in Menglian (Pu'er) began dedicated specialty farming, and Yunnan Coffee Traders became the region's first dedicated specialty exporter in 2013. Chinese consumption grew by an annual average of 22% from 2006 to 2017. The Yunnan Coffee Exchange began operating in January 2016, and Chongqing has emerged as the largest domestic trading hub.
History
A French missionary brought coffee to Yunnan in the late 19th century, but modern cultivation began in 1988 under a joint Chinese government, World Bank and UNDP program, with Nestlé arriving early to encourage cultivation. Catimor became the varietal of choice. Most beans are commercial grade and exported as green coffee, and Nestlé holds over 70% of the domestic instant-coffee market against 2.7% for Yunnan-based Hogood Coffee (founded 2007, largest domestic instant maker) in 2014. Dedicated specialty farming began around 2009 with pioneers such as Mangzhang Farms (Menglian), and Yunnan Coffee Traders became the first dedicated specialty exporter in 2013.
Field notes
- i
A French missionary is credited with introducing coffee to Yunnan in the late 19th century, nearly a century before modern cultivation began there.
- ii
The modern industry began in 1988 as a joint program of the Chinese government, the World Bank and the UN Development Programme, not a private company.
- iii
Yunnan Coffee Traders became Yunnan's first dedicated specialty exporter in 2013, after early adopters such as Mangzhang Farms in Menglian began specialty farming around 2009.
- iv
Starbucks alone purchased more than half of all U.S. coffee imports from China in January to September 2014, even though most Chinese beans are commercial grade.
Where it growsYunnan sits roughly 21-25°N, near the northern edge of latitudes where arabica is grown at commercial scale. Altitude in its southern and western prefectures is what makes cultivation viable this far north.
In the cup, according to guides
- AcidityMoreOne importer lists bright acidity among tasting notes on its specialty Yunnan microlots.
- FloralOften notedJasmine noted on select specialty Yunnan lots.
- CaramelOften notedCaramel noted on select specialty Yunnan lots.
Regions of China
-
This province supplies about 98% of the country's coffee, mostly Catimor arabica grown in prefectures such as Pu'er, Baoshan and Dehong.
- Hainan
This island is one of the other provinces growing coffee, mainly robusta rather than Yunnan's arabica.
- Fujian
This province is one of the other provinces growing coffee, mainly robusta rather than Yunnan's arabica.
Varietals grown here
How it is usually processed
Species
- Coffea arabica100%
Sources · 2 Every sentence here was checked against a source we read. Taste notes are what guides describe, not promises about your bag. Last revised 2026-11-11. Some details here are less settled than others.
- Coffee production in China · Wikipedia
- Coffee: World Markets and Trade (July 2026) · USDA Foreign Agricultural Service