The Origins of FCR Coffee: From Hanee to FrontStreet

When you're at a low point in life, a chance meeting can change everything. For 'Feng Ge' , that moment came in the form of a transformative relationship—with 'Jun Jie' —that not only lifted him out of hardship but also sparked a decades-long journey into the world of coffee.

The story of FCR Coffee starts with two people learning coffee together in a small shop, mastering everything from roast profiles to pour-over techniques—before going on to build one of Xiamen’s first dedicated specialty coffee spots.

The Early Days: Learning Coffee at Hanee

Feng Ge and Jun Jie first crossed paths during a difficult time in Feng’s life. Together, they found work and purpose at Hanee, a now-defunct coffee spot in Xiamen. There, they trained side by side under a Taiwanese instructor, studying professional coffee roasting, single-origin pour-over brewing, and espresso preparation. They didn’t just make coffee—they learned the craft from the ground up.

Their training covered the full spectrum: how to roast coffee beans with precision, how to extract nuanced flavours through manual drip methods, and how to craft balanced milk drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. But when Hanee’s Taiwanese owner returned home, the business closed, leaving Feng and Jun to chart their own path.

From Street Corners to Their Own Shop: Building FCR

After Hanee, Feng and Jun took their skills to the streets of Xiamen. Every day, they roasted coffee beans and visited neighbourhood cafes, teaching the basics of pour-over brewing to locals still unfamiliar with high-quality, unadulterated black coffee. Their mission was clear: spread knowledge and appreciation for specialty coffee, one cup at a time.

Their big break came when they met two fellow coffee professionals from Taiwan: Mr. Peng and Mr. Gao. With their support, Feng and Jun opened FCR (presumably an acronym or brand name, as no full expansion is given in the source), their own coffee shop. The journey wasn’t linear—there were relocations, expansions, and new branches—but step by step, FCR evolved into what it is today.

FCR Today: A Technical, Community-Focused Coffee Spot

Under the leadership of Feng Ge and Jun Jie, FCR has always been technically driven. The team maintains exacting standards—not just for milk-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, but across all brew methods. They’re fluent with a wide range of pour-over devices and other single-origin brewing tools. But what truly sets FCR apart is that it’s also a retail space for freshly roasted specialty coffee beans, all curated in-house.

Beyond the technique, FCR is known for its warm, inclusive atmosphere. The roster of baristas includes both quiet, focused personalities and cheerful, talkative ones. Customers, too, span the spectrum—from those who gather daily over black coffee to share stories, to loyalists who never stray from their usual flat white or mocha. It’s a place built by relationships as much as by roast profiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did FCR Coffee originate?

FCR Coffee originated in Xiamen, China, after its founders, Feng Ge and Jun Jie, trained at a now-closed coffee shop called Hanee. They later opened FCR with the help of two Taiwanese coffee professionals, Mr. Peng and Mr. Gao.

What kind of coffee training did Feng Ge and Jun Jie receive?

Feng Ge and Jun Jie trained under a Taiwanese instructor at Hanee, where they learned professional coffee roasting, single-origin pour-over brewing, and espresso preparation. Their education covered both technical and practical aspects of specialty coffee.

What makes FCR different from other coffee shops?

FCR is both technically focused and community-oriented. It is known for its precise milk drinks, expertise in various pour-over methods, and its own in-house roasted specialty coffee beans. The atmosphere is welcoming, with a mix of personality types among both baristas and customers.

Did FCR always have multiple locations?

No. FCR started as a single shop and expanded over time through relocations and the opening of additional branches, evolving step by step into its current form.

What is the significance of Hanee in FCR’s story?

Hanee was the original coffee shop where Feng Ge and Jun Jie met, trained, and developed their foundational coffee skills. When it closed, it led them to start their own journey in coffee, eventually resulting in FCR.

What kinds of coffee does FCR serve?

FCR serves a full range of coffee styles, including expertly brewed single-origin pour-over coffee, traditional milk drinks like cappuccino and latte, and espresso-based beverages. They also sell freshly roasted specialty coffee beans onsite.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Pour-Over & Espresso

For fans of FCR’s technical approach, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Huakui for a bright, complex pour-over with floral and citrus notes; their PWN Golden Mandheling delivers a classic heavy-bodied espresso with herbal sweetness; and the Brazil Queen Manor offers nutty balance ideal for milk drinks. All are expertly roasted for clarity and texture. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.