Blue Bottle Coffee to Open Ten Stores in Shanghai! How Good Are Blue Bottle Coffee Beans?

Blue Bottle Coffee's Expansion into China

Since Blue Bottle Coffee announced plans to enter the Chinese market last year, coffee enthusiasts across the country have been eagerly anticipating their arrival. Recently, the location of China's first Blue Bottle Coffee was confirmed in a two-story red-brick house at Shanghai's JIC Jing'an International Center, which was once a dormitory for the Yutong Flour Mill. This demonstrates Blue Bottle Coffee's preference for integrating their stores into local culture. The store is currently under renovation and expected to open after the Spring Festival next year.

Multiple Store Locations in Shanghai

Moreover! Blue Bottle Coffee's entry into the domestic market won't be limited to just one store! According to sources familiar with the matter, Blue Bottle will open 10 stores in Shanghai. "Candidate" locations include the confirmed small house, as well as areas near Taikoo Li, Wukang Road, Huaihai Road, IFC, Columbia Circle, Hongqiao Airport, the former World Expo site, Raffles City in North Bund, and quieter spots near Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Xuhui campus. (Friends from other regions have expressed their envy! Really!!)

It's reported that before deciding on the first store at the former Yutong Flour Mill dormitory site, quieter locations near Taikoo Li in Qiantan and Raffles City in North Bund were on the "shortlist" for the first store location, so the second and third stores might choose these locations for opening.

Strategic Roasting Facility

Remember the news from Coffee Workshop two days ago about Blue Bottle Coffee establishing a roasting facility on Jiangchang West Road in Jing'an District, Shanghai? (🚪 Portal) The future 10 Blue Bottle Coffee stores will be no more than 25 kilometers from the roasting facility, reachable by car in about 30 minutes.

(For those with perfectionist tendencies, the first store at Jing'an International Center is approximately 10 kilometers from the roasting facility)

Store Design Philosophy

Blue Bottle Coffee stores are typically located in relatively quiet, spacious areas, often choosing buildings with historical significance and rich stories, such as mansions and old factories. Combined with transparent and bright designs, they allow every visiting guest to feel the warmth brought by architecture and sunlight. In the view of Blue Bottle Coffee's founder, good coffee should be savored in a quiet, comfortable environment.

In-Store Experience Philosophy

It's reported that Blue Bottle Coffee in China will follow their usual practice: no WiFi, no power outlets, and only a coffee menu. They hope guests don't bring work to the coffee shop, allowing them to focus on experiencing a good cup of coffee rather than treating coffee as an accessory.

Coffee Standards and Quality

Regarding their offerings, espresso can only be enjoyed in-store and cannot be taken to go; pour-over coffee also has no standardized production—baristas will use different extraction parameters and brewing techniques based on the characteristics of the coffee beans. For coffee bean sales, Blue Bottle Coffee does not provide grinding services because coffee loses its flavor within 45 seconds of grinding if not used, preventing customers from experiencing the coffee's original flavor.

Some netizens have commented: "I think in China, Blue Bottle will face significant adaptation challenges."

Image source: Internet

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