Colombia’s Don Manuel Coffee Launches in China

If you’ve ever wondered what makes Colombian coffee truly distinct—beyond the stereotypes of mountains and mules—the answer lies in brands like Don Manuel. For decades, Colombia has exported millions of bags of coffee, but only a select few carry the seal of the country’s coffee growers’ federation, certifying them as 100% pure, single-origin Colombian. One of those is Don Manuel.

Don Manuel is Colombia’s oldest and most recognized single-origin coffee brand, founded in 1959 by José Duval. Backed by Colombia’s national coffee association, it holds exclusive rights to sell 100% purebred Colombian coffee, ensuring every bean is grown, processed, and roasted to the country’s highest traditional standards.

The Origins of Don Manuel Coffee

Established in 1959 by José Duval, Don Manuel was created to highlight Colombia’s premium, purebred coffee beans separate from generic blends. The Colombian Coffee Growers Federation granted Don Manuel the unique right to market 100% single-origin Colombian coffee. This certification ensures that every bean comes from Colombia’s traditional organic farms and is processed and roasted to exacting quality standards.

The brand’s iconic visual identity—a smiling man leading a mule—has appeared on Colombian coffee sacks for over 55 years. It symbolizes the hard work and heritage behind Colombia’s high-altitude coffee cultivation. In 2010, during the Shanghai World Expo, the Colombian pavilion showcased two national treasures: its world-famous emeralds and Don Manuel coffee, underscoring its cultural significance.

Don Manuel Comes to China

In 2014, after three years of negotiations, U.S.-based DTS8 Coffee Roasters partnered with Shanghai-based Huixin Enterprise Group to form a joint venture in Shanghai. DTS8 is recognized as China’s largest coffee roasting company. This collaboration launched the official Don Manuel Coffee company in China, tasked with exclusively importing and selling 100% authentic Colombian Don Manuel coffee.

The joint venture ensures that Chinese consumers have access to the same high-quality, hand-roasted Colombian beans that have been cherished in Colombia for decades. The brand’s introduction to China marks the first time it becomes widely available outside its home market through an official retail presence.

Future Plans and Vision

Asia-Pacific president of Don Manuel, Li Houkai, announced ambitious plans to open 1,000 stores across China within five years, starting in Shanghai. The brand intends to offer not just coffee beans but also an expanded range of coffee beverages and baked goods, rooted in Colombia’s rich coffee heritage.

Alexander, chairman of DTS8 Coffee Roasters, emphasized that entering the retail coffee market has boosted DTS8’s profitability while bringing genuine Colombian coffee to Chinese consumers. “We believe the Chinese market will love Don Manuel for its uncompromising quality,” he said.

Colombian Coffee Heritage Behind the Brand

Don Manuel’s beans come from Colombia’s renowned coffee-growing regions, primarily in the south, where altitudes exceed 1,500 meters. The country’s mountainous geography, volcanic soils, and stable climate create ideal conditions for growing high-quality Arabica. Coffee in Colombia is cultivated under shade, with slow maturation that enhances sweetness, acidity, and aromatic complexity.

The Huila region, in particular, is celebrated for producing award-winning lots, often featuring profiles of chocolate, caramel, nuts, and citrus. These characteristics are commonly found in single-origin Colombian beans, including those represented by heritage brands like Don Manuel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Don Manuel Coffee?

Don Manuel is Colombia’s first and most iconic single-origin coffee brand, established in 1959. It holds exclusive rights from Colombia’s coffee federation to sell 100% purebred Colombian coffee, ensuring every bean is grown and processed traditionally in Colombia.

When is Don Manuel coming to China?

Don Manuel Coffee officially launches in China in October, with plans to introduce Colombian single-origin coffee through a joint venture between U.S.-based DTS8 Coffee Roasters and Shanghai’s Huixin Enterprise Group.

Who founded Don Manuel?

Don Manuel was founded in 1959 by José Duval. The brand was created to distinguish Colombia’s premium single-origin coffee from generic blends and has been certified by Colombia’s national coffee association.

What makes Colombian coffee different?

Colombian coffee is known for being grown at high altitudes (1,500–2,300 meters), often under shade, which results in slow cherry maturation. This produces beans with balanced acidity, pronounced sweetness, and complex aromas, frequently tasting of chocolate, nuts, fruits, and caramel.

Where is Don Manuel coffee grown?

Don Manuel sources its coffee from Colombia’s key coffee-growing regions, especially in the southern areas like Huila, where elevations exceed 1,500 meters and the volcanic soil and climate produce some of the country’s best-known specialty lots.

Will Don Manuel open coffee shops in China?

Yes, Don Manuel plans to open 1,000 locations across China within five years, beginning in Shanghai. The brand will also offer a range of coffee drinks and baked goods inspired by Colombian coffee traditions.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Colombian Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee’s FrontStreet Sidra (Sidra) and FrontStreet (Elephant Bean) are excellent examples of modern Colombian single-origin profiles. Both are medium roasted, sourced from high-altitude regions and feature vibrant fruitiness—Sidra offers intense floral and citrus notes, while Elephant Bean delivers juicy stone fruit and syrupy body. For a more classic Colombian taste, try FrontStreet’s (YunNan-style Colombian Caturra), with its balanced profile of chocolate, hazelnut, and caramel. All are grown at elevations above 1500 meters and processed via washed methods. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.