How Hangzhou Hosted the World’s Largest Blue Mountain Coffee Tasting

When you think about where coffee culture thrives, cities like Melbourne, Seattle, or Tokyo might come to mind. But in 2011, it was Hangzhou—yes, Hangzhou, China—that made global coffee headlines with an unprecedented feat: the largest ever single-origin coffee tasting event centered on one of the world’s most exclusive beans.

The answer is clear: 100 baristas brewed and 1,000 participants tasted Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee at the same time and place. That’s the largest documented gathering for a single-origin coffee tasting in history, particularly for Blue Mountain, then and now.

The Global Coffee Workforce—and China’s Emerging Role

According to authoritative data from the International Coffee Organization, nearly 1 billion people out of the world’s 7 billion are involved in the coffee trade in some capacity. While coffee has long been a global commodity, its presence in China is still relatively young—but rapidly evolving. Among Chinese cities, Hangzhou stands out as a surprising hub of coffee momentum.

Hangzhou’s Blue Mountain Breakthrough

In November 2011, the city was abuzz with preparations for the Third China (Hangzhou) Coffee & Western Food Festival, set to kick off at Wushan Square on November 18. The local coffee association had secured something extraordinary: the exclusive right to import green Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee beans into China. Building on that, they set their sights even higher.

They applied to the Shanghai Great World Guinness headquarters to officially recognize an event that would make coffee history: “100 Baristas Brewing, 1,000 People Tasting Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee.” This wasn’t just a local gathering—it was poised to become the largest simultaneous single-origin coffee brewing and tasting event anywhere, for any coffee.

An Event for the Record Books

The planned event would feature an unprecedented assembly of coffee professionals and enthusiasts:

• 100 baristas brewing coffee live
• 1,000 members of the public tasting
• All happening at the same time, in the same location
• Centered exclusively on Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee—the world’s most prestigious and tightly controlled single-origin bean

To ensure inclusivity and transparency, both the baristas and the tasting audience were to be recruited via open online applications. The guest list read like a who’s who of coffee diplomacy and government: the Jamaican Ambassador to China, China’s former ambassador to Jamaica, key figures from Hangzhou’s municipal government, and representatives from coffee associations across mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Why This Mattered for Chinese Coffee

This event wasn’t just about serving coffee. It was a statement. At a time when coffee consumption in China was still in its infancy for most of the population, Hangzhou was positioning itself as a serious player—not just in selling coffee, but in curating experiences, fostering community, and elevating quality awareness around a globally revered bean. The focus on Jamaica Blue Mountain—a coffee known for its strict production standards, limited output, and premium pricing—signaled an ambition to engage with coffee at the highest level of specialty recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee?

Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is a single-origin coffee grown in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. It is renowned for its mild flavor, lack of bitterness, and smooth body. Due to strict production regulations, limited output, and high demand, it is one of the most expensive and prestigious coffees in the world.

How many people were involved in the 2011 Hangzhou coffee event?

The event featured 100 baristas brewing coffee and aimed to have 1,000 members of the public tasting simultaneously, making it the largest recorded event of its kind for Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee.

Where did the event take place?

The event was scheduled to take place at Wushan Square in Hangzhou, China, as part of the Third China (Hangzhou) Coffee & Western Food Festival.

Was this a world record?

The event organizers applied to the Shanghai Great World Guinness headquarters to recognize the event as a record for the largest number of people brewing and tasting Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee at the same time and place.

Why was this event significant for China’s coffee industry?

It marked one of the first large-scale efforts in China to promote high-quality single-origin coffee through a public tasting, helping elevate awareness of specialty coffee standards and fostering a more sophisticated coffee culture in the country.

Who attended the event besides the public?

The event was attended by the Jamaican Ambassador to China, China’s former ambassador to Jamaica, Hangzhou government officials, and representatives from coffee associations across China and greater China—including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Blue Mountain Fans

If you’re drawn to the refined profile of Jamaica Blue Mountain, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for its clean, floral brightness and sweet citrus notes, or their Yirgacheffe offering for delicate jasmine and lemony acidity. Both share the same elegant, tea-like qualities that Blue Mountain enthusiasts often appreciate. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.