The Story of Starbucks Phoenix Dance Coffee: Characteristics of Yunnan Coffee Beans and Small Bean Coffee Flavors

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Yunnan: China's Premier Coffee Growing Region

As China's largest coffee growing region today, Yunnan has attracted the attention of major coffee companies including Starbucks and Nestlé, who have recognized its enormous potential.

Historical Legacy

History can be traced back to 1892, when French missionary Father Tian Deneng planted the first coffee tree in Zhukula Village, Binchuan County, Dali City—this is generally considered the earliest record of coffee introduction to Yunnan. In the 100 years that followed, coffee trees did not flourish in this region until multinational companies entered Yunnan in the late 1980s, when this foreign product was replanted and utilized for export worldwide.

Coffee Characteristics

Region: Asia and Pacific growing region

Processing Method: Washed (wet), semi-washed

Flavor: Herbal notes

Acidity: Low

Body: Medium

Phoenix Dance Coffee Blend

The Phoenix Dance coffee bean was first launched in 2009 to celebrate Starbucks' 10th anniversary in the mainland Chinese market, and it was also the first blend containing coffee from mainland China. This coffee bean is a blend of Asian/Pacific region and Yunnan coffee beans.

The Yunnan coffee beans in this blend come from the Baoshan region of Yunnan Province, grown at an altitude of approximately 1200-1400 meters. Due to annual precipitation of about 800mm, growers have taken additional irrigation measures.

Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, Yunnan features snow-capped mountains, deep canyons, and lush tropical lowlands, making it the most diverse province in China in terms of plant species, birds, and mammals (including Asian elephants and tigers).

Brewing Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee recommends using water at 89-90°C for three-stage extraction, though you can also try Starbucks' common large-flow brewing method.

Symbolic Design

The packaging design of the Phoenix Dance coffee beans depicts a phoenix against a background of mountains and deep canyons. In China's symbolic cultural system, the phoenix is the embodiment of perfectionism. Through research, it has been discovered that the phoenix is a divine creature of "harmony," symbolizing the ancient Chinese people's understanding, respect, and reverence for various creatures in nature, and representing virtue and prosperity.