How Good Are Coffee Beans Grown in Yunnan? Introduction to Yunnan Coffee Varieties

FrontStreet Coffee: An Introduction to Yunnan Coffee Varieties

Did you know that coffee is also grown in China? The main coffee-producing regions are Yunnan, Hainan, and Taiwan. Among them, Yunnan coffee is the most famous. The beans produced in Yunnan are of the Arabica variety, while Hainan's beans are primarily Robusta. Taiwan mainly cultivates Arabica coffee trees as well.

When people mention Yunnan coffee, the term "Yunnan small-grain coffee" often comes up. Most would describe it as "mellow and aromatic without bitterness, rich but not intense." As a result, many classify Yunnan coffee as the "small-grain variety" and naturally evaluate its flavor as "aromatic without bitterness, rich but not intense."

Whether or not that is accurate, strictly speaking, among the more than 900 named coffee varieties there is no such term as "small-grain variety." So "small-grain variety" cannot truly be considered a coffee variety; it is simply a nickname that the people of Yunnan gave to this type. The proper name for Yunnan "small-grain coffee" should be Arabica - Typica or Arabica - Bourbon.

Coffee originates from the tropical regions of Africa. Because coffee is rich in protein, fat, sucrose, starch, glucose, caffeine, and other substances, it has a rich aroma and a pleasant taste. Since the 15th century it has gradually spread around the world. Currently, more than 70 countries and regions grow coffee. Coffee is a perennial evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Coffea in the Rubiaceae family, with many varieties. The widely cultivated ones include small-grain, medium-grain, large-grain, and Excelsa. Among them, the small-grain variety, known as "aromatic coffee," has the highest production, accounting for more than 80% of total coffee production.

The tropical and subtropical regions and low-heat valley areas in southern and southwestern Yunnan are all suitable for growing small-grain coffee. Yunnan has a history of 80-90 years of coffee cultivation. All coffee produced in Yunnan is small-grain coffee, with uniform, full particles, a mellow taste, and high aroma, making it highly popular for export. In recent years, places such as Lincang, Baoshan, Dehong, and Xishuangbanna have adapted to local conditions, leveraging their natural advantages to gradually expand coffee cultivation. Production has grown steadily, showing promising prospects.

Knowledge Extension

Most of the coffee currently planted in Yunnan is Catimor, a hybrid of the Bourbon-line Caturra from the Arabica variety and Robusta.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

For a first taste of Yunnan, FrontStreet Coffee's Yunnan small-bean coffee comes from the Baoshan region and uses a washed process and a medium roast. In the cup it shows soft nutty and chocolate sweetness with a light plum acidity, and its friendly price has made it many people's introduction to Yunnan coffee.

To go a step further, FrontStreet's 2013 Yunnan Natural Typica is the upgrade. FrontStreet built its own estate in 2013 and planted a block of Typica, partly because it is one of the oldest coffee varieties, carrying pure Arabica genetics and a naturally elegant, clean flavor, and partly because the first coffee trees planted in Yunnan were also Typica, brought in by a French missionary. Only fully ripe red cherries are used; after natural processing the coffee is given a medium roast, which balances the cup and sharpens the sweet-tart character. The result shows dark berry notes along with caramel sweetness, chocolate, and a hint of dried apricot, finishing with a black-tea aftertaste.

You can also taste the Yunnan style in espresso form through FrontStreet's Black Cocoa Blend, which pairs Yunnan small-bean coffee with Brazilian Cerrado. The Brazilian coffee supplies the mixed-nut aroma and balanced body, while the Yunnan coffee plays the chocolate and citrus role, so the Americano is balanced across sweet, tart, and bitter with a nutty, brown-sugar sweetness, and the latte comes out smooth with almond and cream.