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The Origin of Manlaoriver's Name - Is Manlaoriver Coffee Good? - Which Manlaoriver Coffee is Best?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange, more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style). Manlaoriver Coffee is named after the Manlaoriver River that runs through the base, flowing into the Lancang River and Mekong River. Its origin is due to a poverty alleviation project by the Yunnan provincial government in 1997, aimed at relocating poor farmers trapped in deep mountains unsuitable for human habitation.

Manlaojiang River flowing through pristine forest landscape

Manlaojiang Coffee derives its name from the Manlaojiang River that flows through its plantation base, which continues into the Lancang River and Mekong River. Its origins trace back to 1997 when the Yunnan provincial government initiated a poverty alleviation relocation project to help impoverished farming families migrate from the deep mountains—areas unsuitable for human habitation—to the pristine forestlands along the Manlaojiang River to engage in agriculture and environmental conservation work.

The plantation base spans 153,000 mu, of which only 14,421 mu have been developed for coffee cultivation, leaving 94% of the land untouched. The majority of this undeveloped land consists of virgin forest. Situated in the golden zone for coffee cultivation at 22°N latitude, the base benefits from low latitude, medium altitude (800m-1400m), and high forest coverage. The region enjoys abundant rainfall, sufficient sunshine, fertile soil, and remarkable biodiversity—providing ideal natural conditions that guarantee the exceptional quality of Manlaojiang coffee beans.

Commitment to People and Environment

Manlaojiang Coffee embodies a profound humanistic philosophy. Unlike other coffee producers, Manlaojiang prioritizes ecological preservation. Their coffee cultivation methods protect the biodiversity within the plantation area, maintaining harmonious development between forests, rivers, natural springs, other crops, and grazing lands. Beyond caring for nature, Manlaojiang enhances farmers' income by improving coffee quality through professional methods and developing diversified cultivation, thereby preventing further deforestation.

During downturns in the coffee bean market, when international corporations compete to drive down prices while purchasing coffee beans in Yunnan, Manlaojiang Coffee purchases beans from farmers at above-market prices to help them minimize losses. At Manlaojiang, both coffee farmers and coffee beans deserve meticulous care.

Quality and Innovation

Currently, Manlaojiang Coffee has established two processing facilities for coffee cherry depulping, degumming, and sorting, importing coffee processing machinery from Austria, Brazil, Colombia, and other countries. They have also built 14,000 and 18,000 square meter drying grounds at Manzhongtian and Naji Village respectively, along with a 2,500 square meter warehouse. All coffee beans here are completely natural, undergoing processes including manual selective picking, mountain spring water washing, natural fermentation, and sun drying before final roasting.

Manlaojiang's head roasting master, A Ri Re, became China's first roaster to achieve an impressive 96 points from Coffee Review and was ranked #2 globally among international roasters by CoffeeReview in 2015. He excels at discovering the unique flavors of coffee, currently having created six coffee beans scoring above 90 points: Ninety+ Sentimental Love, Ninety+ Red Honey Kiss, Ninety+ Outlook, Sweet Maria Guatemala Geisha, Sweet Maria Colombia, and Manlaojiang Naji Peaberry.

Global Recognition

Manlaojiang Coffee boasts a professional expert team and has obtained over ten certifications in coffee quality control from Colombia and other countries. In 2012, Manlaojiang Coffee achieved three major certifications: USDA Organic Certification (the most stringent certification requiring three consecutive years of on-site testing for 100% organic compliance), EU Organic Certification (50% organic), and China Organic Certification, making it the only coffee company in China to hold all three certifications simultaneously. Additionally, the company passed the comprehensive SGS 315-item pesticide residue testing.

In the 2012 World Barista Championship, Manlaojiang Coffee became the championship bean for the China competition region and became the first Chinese coffee bean to enter the international finals, earning recognition from coffee professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. Currently, Manlaojiang Coffee has joined the Specialty Coffee Association of America, Specialty Coffee Association of Europe, and the Cup of Excellence program.

FrontStreet Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee): A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find both famous and lesser-known beans, while also providing online shop services. https://shop104210103.taobao.com