Pu'er Coffee Scores 81.5, Rivals Jamaican Blue Mountain

In a breakthrough for Chinese coffee, a cupping session led by renowned international coffee taster Jeremy Wakeford in Pu'er, Yunnan, has yielded a remarkable result: a local coffee sample scored 81.5. That’s above the typical range for the world-renowned Jamaican Blue Mountain, which usually earns 79–80. For coffee professionals and enthusiasts wondering if China can produce world-class beans, this score is a serious answer.

The short answer: yes. A Pu'er-grown coffee, sourced from the Mannzhongtian Estate managed by the Eani Group, scored 81.5 in a blind cupping by a world-class expert. That puts it in rarefied air, close to or surpassing some of the most famous origins in the world.

A World-Class Score from Pu'er

The 81.5-scored coffee was selected from 200 samples evaluated during an official cupping session in Pu'er conducted by Jeremy Wakeford, a globally respected cupper hired by Starbucks. The beans originated from the Mannzhongtian Estate, located in Pu'er, Yunnan, at an elevation between 1,400 and 1,500 metres. The steep, shaded slopes of the estate create ideal growing conditions for high-quality coffee.

According to reports, Wakeford was highly impressed, stating that if this coffee were aged in an oak barrel, it would be indistinguishable from Blue Mountain. He called it one of the few truly top-tier coffees he’d ever tasted.

The Starbucks–Eani Joint Venture

This high-scoring coffee is part of a larger strategic move. On February 6, Starbucks and Yunnan’s Eani Group signed a cooperation agreement in Kunming to establish a joint venture, with Starbucks holding 51% equity. In its first phase, the venture will focus on sourcing, processing, and exporting Yunnan coffee beans. Future plans include expansion into other products like tea.

The partnership directly supports Pu'er’s ambitions. The city is positioning itself as China’s “coffee capital,” leveraging its status as the country’s largest coffee producer by both area and output.

Pu'er: China’s Coffee Heartland

Pu'er currently has 439,000 mu (approximately 29,267 hectares) of coffee plantations and produces 28,000 metric tons of coffee annually. These figures represent more than half of China’s total coffee cultivation area and production. The region’s coffee is gaining recognition among global buyers for its consistent quality.

Li Xiaoping, Mayor of Pu'er, emphasised that while Blue Mountain is considered the global benchmark for coffee excellence, Pu'er’s high-altitude, cool-climate conditions are producing beans that can compete internationally. The city plans to invest heavily in processing infrastructure and branding to elevate its coffee’s global profile.

Pu'er’s Coffee Industry Expansion Plans

Eani Group is investing RMB 1 billion during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011–2015) to develop deep-processing facilities and supporting equipment for coffee. This includes building production lines for roasted beans, ground coffee, and ready-to-drink coffee. The project is expected to be completed by 2015, with an annual output capacity of 3,000 tonnes of roasted beans, 5,000 tonnes of ground coffee, and 20,000 tonnes of canned coffee drinks—projected to generate over RMB 5 billion in value.

Long-term, Pu'er aims to expand coffee cultivation to 1 million mu, with production reaching 90,000–100,000 tonnes. The goal is to establish a comprehensive coffee industry that benefits local farmers and supports a rich coffee culture, including plans for a national coffee standards lab.

Frequently Asked Questions

What score did the Pu'er coffee receive?

The coffee from Pu'er’s Mannzhongtian Estate scored 81.5 in a professional cupping evaluation led by international cupper Jeremy Wakeford. This score is higher than the typical 79–80 range for Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, placing it among the world’s top-rated coffees.

Who cupped the Pu'er coffee?

The coffee was cupped by Jeremy Wakeford, a world-renowned coffee cupper hired by Starbucks. He evaluated 200 samples during his visit to Pu'er and selected this particular sample for its outstanding quality.

Where is the coffee from?

The high-scoring coffee is grown at the Mannzhongtian Estate in Pu'er, Yunnan Province. The estate sits at an altitude of 1,400–1,500 metres on a steep, shaded mountainside, providing ideal conditions for cultivating premium coffee.

What makes Pu'er suitable for coffee growing?

Pu'er’s high elevation, cool climate, and mountainous terrain—especially on shaded, sloped land—create optimal conditions for growing high-quality Arabica coffee. These factors contribute to the beans’ complex flavours and high cupping scores.

What are Pu'er’s coffee industry plans?

Pu'er aims to become China’s coffee capital with a target of 1 million mu of coffee farms and 90,000–100,000 tonnes of annual production. The city is investing in processing plants, export capabilities, and a national coffee standards lab to support this vision.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Brewing Yunnan Coffee

For exploring the unique profile of Yunnan coffee at home, try FrontStreet’s washed Yunnan Arabica, known for its balanced profile of almond, berry, chocolate, and light red sugar sweetness with a gentle plum acidity. For espresso, the Black Cocoa Blend combines Yunnan beans with Brazilian coffee for a well-rounded cup featuring chocolate, citrus, and nutty depth—perfect for lattes or Americanos. Both beans highlight the terroir and craftsmanship of Yunnan’s high-elevation coffees. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.