Are the Characteristics of Yunnan Small Bean Coffee Just Small Size? Where Are the Yunnan Small Bean Coffee Growing Regions?

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Yunnan Coffee Growing Region

Yunnan Province is China's main coffee-producing region, and it primarily cultivates small bean coffee, that is, Coffea arabica. Among the varieties grown there, the Catimor series has strong disease resistance, high yield and excellent quality, making it the most widely planted in Yunnan. A few areas also cultivate the excellent older variety Typica.

Yunnan's Ruili and Binchuan are home to China's earliest ancient coffee forests. Today, major coffee-growing areas have formed in Dehong, Pu'er, Baoshan and Lincang. In 2015, Yunnan's coffee planting area reached 118,000 hectares, accounting for 99% of the country's total, and it was expected to reach 148,300 hectares by 2020.

China's coffee-producing regions are currently distributed mainly across Yunnan, Hainan, Sichuan and Taiwan. Since 1996, Yunnan has developed into China's largest coffee-growing province with the highest production, with both planting area and output accounting for over 99% of the national total. Yunnan's coffee output reaches 139,000 tons.

Yunnan's Four Major Growing Areas: Pu'er, Lincang, Baoshan, and Dehong

Small-scale Xishuangbanna

Currently 6,000 hectares, expected to expand to 9,600 hectares by 2020. Mainly distributed across counties and cities such as Mengla, Menghai and Jinghong.

Wenshan Prefecture

Currently 1,700 hectares, expected to expand to 3,000 hectares by 2020. Mainly distributed across counties such as Malipo.

Honghe Prefecture

Currently 1,100 hectares, expected to expand to 2,500 hectares by 2020. Mainly distributed across counties such as Hekou, Honghe, Yuanyang, Luchun, Pingbian and Jinping.

Dali Prefecture

Currently 200 hectares, expected to expand to 300 hectares by 2020. Mainly distributed across Binchuan County.

Other Regions

Currently 800 hectares, expected to expand to 1,000 hectares by 2020. Mainly distributed across counties such as Lushui in Nujiang, Yuanmou in Chuxiong and Huaping in Lijiang.

Knowledge Point

Arabica coffee is generally believed to originate in the Ethiopian highlands and is widely distributed across tropical regions. Through repeated mutation and breeding, it has developed into numerous varieties.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

To taste Yunnan's terroir, FrontStreet Coffee suggests starting with the FrontStreet Yunnan Small Bean, which comes from the Baoshan producing area. Baoshan's coffee history began in the mid-1950s, and the warm, frost-free climate suits small bean coffee especially well; the dry-hot river valley around Lujiangba has little seasonal temperature variation but a large day-night temperature swing, which helps give the coffee its distinctive sweet aftertaste. Washed and medium roasted, this lot keeps some acidity while emphasising caramel, showing the region's characteristic flavour at an approachable price.

If you want a clearer, more layered Yunnan cup, the FrontStreet 2013 Yunnan Sun-Dried Typica is the next step. Typica is one of the oldest and purest Arabica varieties, and FrontStreet processes it with the most traditional method, natural sun-drying. The result is a heavier body, brighter sweet-sour balance, citrus and berry notes, a faint fermented wine aroma, caramel sweetness and a creamy finish.

Yunnan also works well in espresso. The FrontStreet Black Cocoa Blend combines Yunnan small bean with Brazil Cerrado: the Brazilian coffee provides mixed nut aromas and a balanced body, while the Yunnan small bean contributes chocolate and citrus. Pulled as an Americano it is balanced across acidity, bitterness and sweetness with nutty, brown-sugar sweetness, and as a latte it has an almond and creamy smoothness that suits beginners.