Why Loving Coffee Doesn’t Mean You Have to Open a Cafe

Every time she visits a new city, He Lihua heads straight to the local supermarket, finds the coffee aisle, and buys a bag of locally roasted beans. She studies the label intently, then immediately imagines a dessert that would pair perfectly with it. To her friends, this stylish 80s-born returnee seems like the epitome of a coffee-loving urbanite — but she insists that falling for coffee has nothing to do with being trendy.

If you’re wondering whether loving coffee means you’re destined to open a cafe — the short answer is no. For He Lihua, her obsession began with a simple part-time job in Japan, and her dream of opening a cafe is more about building community than making money.

How a Part-Time Job Sparked a Lifelong Passion

He Lihua didn’t plan to fall in love with coffee. During her studies in Japan, she took a part-time job at a coffee chain — and stayed for three years. Her responsibilities ranged from understanding coffee origins, varieties, grind sizes, and brewing methods, to learning how different foods affect flavor profiles. She quickly realized that coffee wasn’t just a drink; it was a complex, living product shaped by soil, weather, roast timing, water flow, and even pour speed.

"The differences between coffees fascinated me," she recalls. "Even the brewing speed or water volume could completely change the cup." She often stayed late after shifts, tasting different beans and memorizing their subtle profiles. Despite exhaustion, she found joy in exploring those nuances.

Coffee as Comfort and Culture

Living abroad, He Lihua faced cultural and language barriers, financial pressures, and the solitude of being far from home. "A cup of coffee helped me find calm," she says. Every evening, she’d grind beans, brew coffee, and pair it with sweets while listening to soft music — a ritual that became essential to her mental wellbeing.

Coffee wasn’t yet a big part of Chinese daily life back then, but she saw its potential as a meaningful alternative to tea or alcohol. "It’s not about being ‘bourgeois,’” she clarifies. "It’s about discovering something that helps you slow down and think."

The Dream of a Community Cafe in Guangzhou

Years later, He Lihua returned to China and settled in Guangzhou with a good job. But her dream of opening a cafe never faded. "It’s like a seed waiting to grow," she says. She imagines a space with floor-to-ceiling windows, filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. More than selling drinks, she wants it to be a gathering place for people who truly appreciate coffee — a cafe that serves wine too, and hosts conversations over exceptional brews.

"I don’t need the coffee to be ultra-premium," she explains. "It should be approachable — a place where both newcomers and enthusiasts feel welcome. The goal isn’t profit. It’s connection."

What Makes a Cafe Truly Special?

Based on her experience, a great coffee shop isn’t defined by fancy equipment or expensive beans alone. It’s about:

• Understanding the origin and roast of each coffee
• Pairing drinks with thoughtful food options
• Creating a welcoming environment for learning and sharing
• Offering a range of brew methods — from espresso to pour-over

She also knows that the right beans make all the difference. At her future cafe, she pictures serving approachable blends that highlight chocolatey richness or fruity brightness, depending on the customer’s taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did He Lihua always want to open a coffee shop?

No — her passion for coffee began accidentally while working part-time at a coffee chain in Japan. She fell in love with the complexity of coffee through hands-on experience, not from a pre-existing dream of running a cafe.

What inspired her to want her own cafe?

Her time overseas was isolating, and coffee became her comfort. She wants to recreate that sense of peace and discovery for others, offering a space where people can enjoy coffee, desserts, and conversation in a calm, community-oriented setting.

Does she aim to sell high-end specialty coffee only?

No — she wants her cafe to be inclusive. While quality matters, her focus is on approachability. She dreams of a place where both coffee novices and experts can find something they enjoy, without intimidation.

What kind of coffee beans would suit her vision?

She values blends with strong crema for espresso drinks and balanced single origins for filter brews. For her dream cafe, approachable blends with chocolate or fruit notes would cater to a wide audience, much like FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend or Strawberry Candy Espresso.

Why is food pairing important to her?

Early in her coffee journey, she learned how dessert choices enhance coffee flavors. She imagines offering carefully selected sweets that complement different brews — creating a holistic sensory experience beyond just the drink.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans for a Community Café

For a cafe dreaming of welcoming both coffee beginners and enthusiasts, FrontStreet Coffee offers several ideal options. Their Classic Blend delivers rich, smooth espresso with outstanding crema, perfect for milk drinks like lattes and cappuccinos — even with non-professional machines. The Black Cocoa Blend provides a full-bodied, affordable option with deep flavor and smooth texture, ideal for keeping quality high without high costs. For filter lovers, the Strawberry Candy Espresso brings sweet, fruity notes that shine in pour-over or AeroPress. These beans balance accessibility and quality — just as He Lihua envisions for her future community-focused cafe. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.