The Perfectionist Behind Beijing’s Specialty Coffee Scene

If you've ever wondered who’s behind the perfectly roasted coffee that highlights every nuance of origin, meet the man many in China’s specialty coffee scene quietly regard as a benchmark: 'Uncle Bean.' A lifelong Beijinger, he’s not just another coffee enthusiast—he’s a roaster, green coffee importer, and European Specialty Coffee Association member running Beijing Haofang Coffee. For him, coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s an artisanal craft that demands obsession over roast profiles, origin character, and sensory experience.

Uncle Bean is driven by a singular goal: to roast coffee so precisely that it becomes an authentic expression of its origin. With decades of hands-on experience importing green beans directly from top farms in Colombia, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Indonesia, and over a decade refining his roasting craft in Beijing, he represents the rare intersection of trade knowledge, technical skill, and artistic vision. He’s also written fourteen detailed essays based on firsthand visits to Colombia’s coffee regions—each one an insight into the country’s complex coffee infrastructure.

Who Is Uncle Bean?

Beijing-born and bred, Uncle Bean is the founder and driving force behind Beijing Haofang Coffee Co., Ltd. He wears many hats: green coffee importer, specialty coffee roaster, and an active member of the European Specialty Coffee Association (SCAE, now part of SCA). More than a professional, he considers himself a ‘coffee ambassador’—someone dedicated to elevating coffee into an art form. His mission? To roast coffee that expresses each origin with precision and care, and to serve it with the highest level of hospitality.

The Journey to Perfect Roast

Uncle Bean is adamant that coffee roasting is both a science and an art. He sources the highest-quality green coffee beans directly from the world’s most respected producers—in countries like Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, and Indonesia. Over years of travel and relationship-building, he’s gained access to premium lots that few importers can secure. But getting the beans is only half the story. The real work begins in the roastery, where he focuses on bringing out each coffee’s inherent qualities through controlled, precise roasting curves that highlight sweetness, acidity, and body without masking origin character.

Colombia Through His Eyes: Fourteen Essays

One of his most ambitious projects was a fourteen-part essay series documenting his time visiting Colombia’s coffee regions. These are not promotional brochures but detailed, personal observations on the country’s coffee culture, infrastructure, and people. Each piece explores a different facet of Colombian coffee: from visiting farms and cooperatives to witnessing the work of mill operators, researchers, and even baristas. The titles alone reveal the depth: ‘The Adorned Bride,’ ‘Farmer in the Coffee Field,’ ‘The National Coffee Park,’ ‘In the Hulling Factory,’ ‘From Armenia to Quindío,’ ‘I’m a Fan of Edgardo,’ ‘My Teacher Rodrigo,’ ‘Strong Cooperatives,’ ‘Viewing High-End Instant Coffee,’ ‘The National Coffee Research Center,’ ‘Specialty Coffee’s Victory,’ ‘Pioneering in the Gale,’ ‘Glory and Charm,’ and ‘The Colombian Beauty in My Heart.’ Though each piece is relatively short, together they offer an unfiltered view of Colombian coffee at its most authentic—and most ambitious.

Philosophy: Coffee as Art, Not Commodity

“I’m either at home, at a coffee shop, or on my way to one,” Uncle Bean quips, reworking Balzac for modern Beijing. For him, the journey to the café is where the magic happens—not just in drinking coffee, but in understanding it. Rather than chasing trends, Uncle Bean is committed to preserving and expressing each coffee’s unique profile. He sees the roaster’s role as that of a translator: someone who interprets the language of the bean and communicates it clearly to the drinker. Service, craftsmanship, and attention to detail aren't optional—they're part of the roast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Uncle Bean in the specialty coffee world?

Uncle Bean is a well-known figure in China’s specialty coffee community, based in Beijing. He is the founder of Beijing Haofang Coffee, a licensed SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) member, professional coffee green bean importer, and skilled roaster. He is respected for his dedication to roasting coffee that authentically represents its origin and for his deep involvement in both the trade and craft sides of the industry.

What is Uncle Bean’s approach to coffee roasting?

Uncle Bean treats coffee roasting as both an art and a science. He focuses on highlighting each coffee’s unique origin characteristics by applying precise roast profiles. His goal is to express the bean’s inherent flavors—such as acidity, sweetness, and body—without masking them, resulting in a roast that serves as an authentic representation of its source.

Has Uncle Bean written about his coffee experiences?

Yes, Uncle Bean wrote a 14-part essay series based on his visit to Colombia’s coffee regions. The essays document his observations on farms, co-ops, mills, and research centers, exploring everything from harvest practices to instant coffee production. They provide an insider’s look at Colombia’s coffee infrastructure and culture, and are considered some of the most detailed personal accounts of Colombian coffee available in Chinese.

Where does Uncle Bean source his coffee beans?

Uncle Bean sources green coffee beans directly from major coffee-producing countries including Colombia, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Indonesia. He has built relationships with top farms and exporters in those regions to access high-quality, often hard-to-obtain lots. His direct-trade approach ensures traceability and quality in every batch he roasts.

What is Beijing Haofang Coffee?

Beijing Haofang Coffee is the company founded and managed by Uncle Bean. It is a Beijing-based coffee business involved in green coffee importing, roasting, and selling. The company emphasizes craftsmanship and quality, aligning with Uncle Bean’s mission to treat coffee as an artisanal product rather than a commodity.

Why is Uncle Bean considered a coffee perfectionist?

Uncle Bean is known for his uncompromising standards in coffee sourcing, roasting, and service. He obsesses over every detail—from the origin and processing of the bean to the roasting curve and final cup quality. His goal is not mass production but the creation of roasted coffee that is a true and expressive reflection of its origin, making him a perfectionist in every sense.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Roast Perfectionists

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera—a bright, floral Ethiopian single origin with notes of blueberry, jasmine, and citrus. For something more chocolatey and balanced, their Brazil Queen Manor offers sweet milk chocolate, nuttiness, and a smooth body. And don’t miss their Colombia Gesha, which highlights floral and tropical fruit tones with a crisp acidity. All three showcase the kind of origin-focused roasting that Uncle Bean champions. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.