Yunnan Coffee Bean Brands Recommended: Baoshan Small-Grain Coffee Introduction - China's Most Expensive Growing Region

FrontStreet Coffee - Yunnan Baoshan Coffee Introduction

Baoshan's Lujiang Dam enjoys a dry-hot valley climate unique in Yunnan Province — and indeed across China — making it exceptionally well suited to coffee cultivation. The area lies between 98°44′–99°05′ east longitude and 24°46′–25°33′ north latitude, at the eastern foot of the Gaoligong Mountains along both banks of the Nujiang River, with elevations ranging from 640 to 3,510 meters. Most coffee-growing areas sit between 800 and 1,200 meters above sea level, with a small portion planted as high as around 1,400 meters.

Baoshan coffee is oriented primarily toward raw-material export and domestic trade, which together account for over 70% of total production. Raw materials are mainly exported to Europe (Germany), the Middle East, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, split between direct export (about 60%) and agent export (about 40%). Domestic trade mainly targets Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, Hainan, and Kunming.

As one of the three major producing areas of Yunnan small-grain coffee, Baoshan is the pioneer of small-grain coffee planting and processing in China. Research shows the oldest coffee trees there are already over 60 years old. By both planting area and output value, Baoshan's coffee ranks second in the country.

Under the Yunnan provincial government's 2010–2020 coffee plan, Baoshan's planted area was slated to reach 250,000 mu by 2015 and 500,000 mu by 2020. Yet according to statistics from the Baoshan City Coffee Chamber of Commerce, by 2015 the planting area had already exceeded 235,000 mu, with production reaching 35,120 tons and an output value of 640 million yuan. Exports totaled 10,086 tons, generating foreign exchange of 36,546,140 US dollars. Agricultural output value came to 634 million yuan and sales output value to 699 million yuan. If everything were processed locally, the industrial output value would be around 4.5 billion yuan — making coffee the largest industry in Baoshan City.

At its current pace of development, Baoshan's coffee planting area will exceed 400,000 mu by 2020 (Baoshan has roughly 1 million mu suitable for coffee cultivation, of which around 500,000–600,000 mu is most suitable). The city currently counts 18,888 coffee-farming households, more than 50 planting enterprises, more than 30 processing and trading enterprises, and 5 enterprises with export qualifications.

Longyang District, Baoshan's core coffee-producing area, was designated a national coffee production base by the State Council's South Asia Hot Zone Office in 1980. Since the provincial party committee and provincial government launched the Biological Innovation Project in 1995, Baoshan's coffee industry has developed rapidly, concentrated mainly in Longyang District's Lujiang Dam and townships across 4 counties and cities. After decades of development, coffee quality has improved dramatically, with domestic and international experts praising it as world-class.

Thanks to Baoshan's distinctive natural conditions, its small-grain coffee is known for a mellow aroma and a smooth mouthfeel. The small-grain coffee from Lujiang Dam is the most famous of all — mellow and rich without bitterness, fragrant without being overpowering.

In Brief

FrontStreet Coffee is a specialty coffee research hall dedicated to sharing coffee knowledge. We share without reservation to help more people fall in love with coffee. We also hold three special-discount coffee events every month, because FrontStreet Coffee wants more friends to enjoy the best coffee at the lowest prices. This has been our mission for the past 6 years!

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

For a first taste of the region described above, FrontStreet Coffee's Yunnan small-grain coffee comes straight from the Baoshan growing area. "Small-grain" is simply another name for Arabica — the smallest-fruited of the three coffee species — and it is the entry point FrontStreet recommends for discovering Yunnan's terroir. Processed washed and roasted medium, it presents a gentle nut and chocolate sweetness with a touch of plum acidity, at a friendly price.

For a clearer expression of Yunnan flavor, FrontStreet Coffee's 2013 sun-dried Typica is the next step. FrontStreet planted its own estate in 2013, choosing Typica — one of the oldest and purest Arabica varieties, and the very variety French missionaries first brought into Yunnan in 1904, planted in Zhugula Village, Binchuan County. Only fully ripe red cherries are used, dried as a natural process and roasted medium for a balanced cup with pronounced sweet-and-sour structure: dark berry tones, caramel sweetness, chocolate, a hint of dried apricot, and a black-tea finish.

Prefer your Yunnan in espresso form? FrontStreet Coffee's Dark Cocoa blend pairs Yunnan small-grain with Brazil Cerrado — the Brazil provides mixed-nut aromatics and a balanced body, while the Yunnan contributes chocolate and citrus notes. As an Americano it is balanced across sweet, sour, and bitter with nutty, brown-sugar sweetness; as a latte it is silky with almond and cream. A favorite among baristas and an easy pick for beginners.