Starbucks China recently released detailed data on its coffee bean procurement and exports in Yunnan for the first time. Since the launch of Starbucks China and Asia Pacific's first Coffee Farmer Support Center in Pu'er on December 12, 2012, Starbucks has purchased a total of 56,433 tons of coffee beans in Yunnan over the past decade, including 99 tons of Reserve-quality high-grade coffee beans, and 43,000 tons of Yunnan coffee beans have been exported by Starbucks to markets in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. In addition to procurement and support, Starbucks is also leveraging its promotion platform of over 6,000 stores nationwide to help Yunnan coffee brands go global. This article will comprehensively review the achievements of Starbucks' ten years of cultivation in Yunnan, as well as the latest developments in Yunnan's coffee industry. [more…]

Yunnan coffee has emerged in the specialty coffee scene in recent years. Starbucks has successively launched several Yunnan reserve coffee beans, including the Puer Baoshan blend and the Qingkai Farm reserve coffee beans, demonstrating strong recognition of the Yunnan growing region. Front Street Coffee also has its own exclusive Arabica plantation in Baoshan, Yunnan. This article will focus on the flavor characteristics of Starbucks' two Yunnan coffee beans, while also outlining the growing region distribution, cultivation history, main varieties, and processing methods of Yunnan coffee, and introducing Front Street Coffee's Yunnan Typica and Yunnan small-batch coffee beans, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state and charm of Yunnan coffee. [more…]

Yunnan small-bean coffee has drawn increasing attention in recent years. Since establishing its first Asia-Pacific Farmer Support Center in Pu'er in 2012, Starbucks has continued to promote the sustainable development of the local coffee industry. By introducing the C.A.F.E. Practices certification system, it strictly monitors four aspects: product quality, economic responsibility, social responsibility, and environmental protection. To date, 1,678 farms have passed certification, covering more than 16,000 hectares of cultivated area, with nearly 17,000 person-times of cumulative training for coffee farmers. Starbucks incentivizes farmers to sort and process coffee beans according to the principle of "high quality, high price," enhancing the overall quality and image of Yunnan coffee. This article will provide an in-depth interpretation of the flavor and taste characteristics of Yunnan small-bean coffee under this certification system, along with recommendations from Front Street Coffee, to give you a comprehensive understanding of the rise of Yunnan coffee. [more…]

Yunnan coffee has been gaining increasing attention in the specialty market in recent years. Starbucks has continuously released Yunnan single-origin Reserve beans since 2017, as evidenced by the latest two products: the Puer Baoshan Blend and the Qingkai Farm. Front Street Coffee also owns an exclusive Arabica plantation in Baoshan. This article will start with the flavor characteristics of Starbucks' two Yunnan Reserve beans, systematically reviewing Yunnan coffee's origin advantages, the features of its four major producing regions, a century of cultivation history, the main cultivated varieties (Typica, Bourbon, Catimor), and processing methods. It will also include information on two single-origin beans produced by Front Street Coffee's Yunnan coffee estate, helping coffee enthusiasts fully understand the potential and charm of Yunnan coffee. [more…]

Yunnan coffee is gaining an increasingly strong presence in the specialty market. Starbucks has launched its Yunnan Reserve series for multiple consecutive years, from the Fengwu Xiangyun blend to the Puer-Baoshan blend and the Qingkai Farm Reserve, all presenting Yunnan flavors as either single-origin or blended offerings. Meanwhile, Front Street Coffee operates its own Arabica plantation in Baoshan, continuously promoting Yunnan Typica and Catimor varieties. This article will systematically review the flavor characteristics of two Starbucks Yunnan Reserve coffee beans, the growing conditions and historical context of Yunnan's main production regions (Dehong, Baoshan, Lincang, and Puer), the differences among the three major varieties—Typica, Bourbon, and Catimor—as well as the complete preparation methods for washed processing and Yunnan cold brew coffee, providing coffee enthusiasts with a reference that combines origin knowledge and practical value. [more…]

As China's only coffee-producing region with export capacity, Yunnan has seen its profile in the international market rise steadily in recent years. Since launching the Fengwu Xiangyun blend, Starbucks has been cultivating the Yunnan producing region for more than a decade, and in 2023 it released two Reserve coffees made entirely from single-origin Yunnan beans—the Qingkai Farm Reserve coffee and the Pu'er Baoshan blend. The former uses a mechanical drying method to cope with the rainy season, while the latter, for the first time, adopts a light elegant roast profile and is blended from the Baoshan Zuoyuan and Pu'er Jinshan cooperatives. This article details the origin background, processing methods and flavor performance of these two beans, and also recommends Front Street Coffee's Yunnan small-bean and Black Cocoa basic blends, offering coffee lovers a more comprehensive buying reference. [more…]

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style) For more specialty coffee beans, please add the personal WeChat of Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex Starbucks has opened Shanghai's first intangible cultural heritage concept store in Shenyu Li at the Suhewan Mixc World in Jing'an, Shanghai, which began trial operation on September 30. This store combines Yunnan ethnic minority craftsmanship with the design concept of Shanghai qipao, creating a unique venue that serves both as a third place and as an intangible cultural heritage art exhibition space. The store offers Reserve Yunnan coffee beans and incorporates interactive experiences such as siphon coffee brewing. This move continues Starbucks' public welfare trajectory since the "Rural Mothers Acceleration Plan" in 2020 and also echoes the current trend of guochao consumption. [more…]

Yunnan, as China's largest coffee-growing province, contributes over 98% of the country's coffee production. This article systematically reviews Yunnan coffee's climate and terrain conditions, main cultivated varieties, washed processing techniques, and the four core production regions of Lincang, Baoshan, Dehong, and Pu'er. Combined with Front Street Coffee's cupping experience, it analyzes the balanced flavor profile of Yunnan small-bean coffee, characterized primarily by nuts, brown sugar, and cream. The article also introduces the Yunnan single-origin coffee beans launched by Starbucks, and discusses the real challenges facing Yunnan's coffee industry, such as limited variety diversification and low added value, as well as future directions for specialty coffee development. [more…]

Recently, two labor monitoring organizations released reports stating that during field investigations in Yunnan Province, China, they found that coffee farms in the supply chains of Starbucks and Nestlé may have situations that do not meet certification requirements. The reports revealed the so-called "ghost farms" and "coffee laundering" model—small family farms informally supply coffee beans to large certified estates, resulting in labor practices that may violate the terms of Starbucks C.A.F.E. Practices and Nestlé's 4C certification. Through undercover interviews, investigators found that farm workers are paid by picking weight, often needing to work from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, lacking paid leave, protective equipment, and contract protection. Both Starbucks and Nestlé stated they will seriously investigate and take necessary measures. [more…]

Yunnan, as China's core coffee-producing region, dominates the country in both planting area and output. This article begins with the packaging symbolism of Starbucks Fengwu Xiangyun coffee beans, traces the cultivation history of Yunnan coffee since 1892, explains in detail the characteristics of varieties such as Typica, Bourbon, and Catimor, and introduces the grading system based on screen size as well as the terroir of major producing areas including Lincang, Baoshan, Pu'er, and Dehong. The article also analyzes the effects of washed, natural, and special processing methods on flavor, and finally offers Front Street Coffee's medium-roast approach and pour-over parameter recommendations for Yunnan small-bean coffee, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the unique charm of Yunnan small-bean coffee: strong yet not bitter, aromatic yet not harsh, with a slight fruity note. [more…]

Yunnan Pu'er is the core coffee-growing region in China, and its main cultivar, Catimor AAA, combines the advantages of high yield and disease resistance, yet it also faces controversy over insufficient specialty-grade quality. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of Pu'er Catimor AAA coffee beans, from the cultivar's origins, cultivation distribution, and cupping flavors to the current state of the industry, and includes Front Street Coffee's recommendations and tasting references to help coffee enthusiasts understand the potential and limitations of this "Yunnan small bean." [more…]

In recent years, Yunnan coffee has risen prominently, gradually stepping into the public eye with its unique terroir and continuously improving specialty craftsmanship. From Pu'er to Dehong, Lincang, and Baoshan, each producing region displays a distinctly different flavor profile. Since 2013, Front Street Coffee has been conducting Typica cultivation trials in Lincang, accumulating rich origin experience. This article will guide you through a systematic understanding of the distribution of Yunnan's major coffee-producing regions, variety evolution, and processing method characteristics, along with Front Street's brewing parameters and flavor descriptions, helping you gain a comprehensive understanding of this dark horse of domestic coffee. [more…]

Pu'er in Yunnan is not only the hometown of Pu'er tea, but has also quietly become China's core coffee-producing region. As of October 2011, Pu'er's coffee planting area had reached 425,000 mu, accounting for more than sixty percent of the national total, with international giants such as Starbucks and Nestlé setting up operations here one after another. Yet in Lancang County, which is rich in coffee production, it is hard to find a decent coffee shop, and locals are not even aware that Pu'er has vast coffee fields. This article takes you to the front lines of Yunnan's coffee cultivation to learn about the varieties and flavors of Pu'er coffee beans, the current state of the industry, and the exploration of independent brands, along with recommendations and product information from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Walking into Starbucks and ordering a pour-over, how should you choose among 13 coffee beans? Front Street Coffee has ranked all of Starbucks' pour-over beans by acidity, from bright to full-bodied, and starting from the three major regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas, breaks down one by one the distinct character of the flavors of origins such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Sumatra, Yunnan, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. This article not only helps you understand the Starbucks menu, but also guides you in building a framework for understanding regional flavors, so that whether you prefer fruity acidity or full-bodied bitterness, you can find the cup that suits you. [more…]

Cold brew coffee, with its smooth mouthfeel and low bitterness brought by low-temperature long-time extraction, has become a favorite of many coffee lovers. The cold brew series once launched by Starbucks made this trend sweep the whole country. So, which type of coffee beans should be chosen for making cold brew? Front Street Coffee recommends sun-dried, washed, or specially processed beans, and takes Yirgacheffe Gudingding and Panama Butterfly as examples to show the flavor performance of different producing regions. This article will also share creative drinking methods such as adding sparkling water, milk, or alcohol, as well as a hands-on experience of making cold brew with room-temperature water, to give you a comprehensive understanding of the charm and key points of making cold brew coffee. [more…]

Starbucks has long been known as a "cup factory," releasing themed cup designs for every season, holiday, or regional specialty, and many of its standout or limited-edition cups are eagerly sought after by fans. Recently, Starbucks' Spring Mountain pastoral series mugs, a collaboration with a Yunnan peasant painter, went viral online. The retro spring color palette, combined with the buzz around "Spring Mountain studies," made the cup attract attention as soon as preview images surfaced. However, after the official launch, a series of issues emerged one after another: each store was allocated only one cup, some stores required customers to buy additional items to qualify, and secondhand prices tripled overnight. The last-minute changes to purchasing rules also left many consumers disappointed, raising doubts about Starbucks' sincerity. [more…]

Starbucks currently offers 13 regular coffee beans, covering single-origin and multi-origin blends, from Yunnan and Indonesia in Asia, Guatemala and Colombia in Central and South America, to Ethiopia and Kenya in Africa. Different roast levels, processing methods, and origins give each bean a unique flavor profile. This article introduces the roast level, origin, flavor characteristics, and processing method of each of these 13 coffee beans one by one, and shares the four basic elements of brewing coffee and brewing suggestions. At the end of the article, there is also a specialty coffee communication channel from Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee) for enthusiasts to explore further. [more…]

Yunnan, with the unique microclimates of the Nu River and Lancang River valleys, has cultivated small-bean coffee that is rich yet not bitter, aromatic yet not harsh, with a slight fruity acidity, and has been praised by international experts as being of world-class quality. From the introduction of the crop by missionaries in 1892 to Nestlé restarting industrialization in Pu'er, Yunnan coffee has gone through a century of ups and downs, yet has long been trapped in the role of raw material supplier. This article sorts out the varietal characteristics of Yunnan coffee, its production area distribution, the acquisition battles with Nestlé and Starbucks, and the tortuous course of local brand awakening and capacity expansion, to help you understand the true face of China's core coffee-producing region. [more…]

Which region in China produces coffee? The answer inevitably points to Yunnan. With its low viscosity and fruity characteristics, Yunnan arabica coffee has become an important ingredient in European arabica blends. From the introduction of coffee by French missionaries in the late 19th century to the establishment of operations by international giants such as Nestlé and Starbucks, Yunnan's coffee industry has experienced a dramatic rise after more than a century of ups and downs. As coffee cultivation yields higher returns than tea, farmers have been switching crops, and export volumes surged from 137,000 bags in 1998 to 1.1 million bags in 2012. Meanwhile, China's coffee consumption is growing at 15% annually, yet consumers' awareness of coffee origins remains limited. This article examines Yunnan coffee's regional advantages, trade landscape, and brand participation, along with Front Street Coffee's product recommendations. [more…]

Recently, consumers reported that a Starbucks store locked the seats in its outdoor area with combination locks during business hours, preventing customers from sitting down normally, which sparked widespread discussion online. The store involved is the Starbucks at Aegean Shopping Park in Dali, Yunnan. Employees responded that this measure was truly a last resort, mainly to prevent tables and chairs from being taken away by passersby during closing hours. The shopping mall stated that outdoor facilities are managed by the store itself, while Starbucks customer service apologized and promised to improve service. This article reviews the incident, the responses from all parties, and retains recommendations related to the Front Street brand for coffee enthusiasts to learn about. [more…]