When and How Coffee First Came to China

Ever wondered when coffee first reached China and how it became part of modern café culture? Though today’s third-wave coffee shops are common in major cities, the drink has a much older—yet surprisingly recent—history in the country. The story goes beyond just beans and brewing: it’s about trade, empire, and cultural exchange.

Coffee was first recorded in China in 1866, during the late Qing Dynasty’s Tongzhi era. That year, American missionary wife Miss Gao Peidi published The Western-Style Cooking Book in Shanghai, which included a phonetic transcription of 'coffee' as '' along with roasting and brewing instructions.

What Does 'Coffee' Mean, and Where Does the Plant Come From?

The word 'coffee' originates from the Greek 'Kaweh', meaning 'strength and passion'. Coffee is made from the roasted seeds—commonly called beans—of the coffee fruit, which grows on small evergreen shrubs belonging to the Rubiaceae family (often mislabelled as mountain pepper in older texts). Though ancient China had figures like Shennong documenting plants, there are no native records of coffee’s discovery. Instead, its origin is wrapped in legend.

The Popular Legend of the Coffee Discovery

The most widely told tale credits a goat herder who noticed his flock acting energetically after eating red berries. Upon trying the fruit himself and feeling invigorated, he began boiling the beans. The resulting brew spread for its stimulating effects. Early Arabian communities originally used coffee beans as a digestive aid, but soon recognised their awakening properties—especially useful during religious observances that forbade alcohol.

How Coffee Spread Across the Middle East and Into Europe

By the 15th century, coffee drinking was common in Mecca, then Egypt, Syria, Iran, and Turkey. Ottoman Empire troops played a surprising role in bringing coffee to Europe. After years of occupation in Vienna and Paris, retreating soldiers left behind coffee supplies and knowledge, planting the seeds—literally—for European café culture.

In Vienna and Paris, coffee evolved from a medicinal curiosity into a social staple. French cafés became hubs for political debate, while intellectual circles flourished around Parisian coffee salons. In Italy, the rise of espresso transformed consumption habits and spurred global interest in specialised brewing methods.

When Did Coffee Arrive in China?

The first documented mention of coffee in China comes from 1866, when American missionaries in Shanghai translated and published coffee-making steps. The book described roasting the beans over high heat, adding butter before brewing—but notably omitted sugar. Chinese staff working in foreign kitchens were likely among the first locals to taste coffee.

By the late Qing Dynasty and into the early Republican period (early 20th century), commercial coffeehouses began appearing in cities like Tianjin and Shanghai. These were modelled after Western tea houses, often serving coffee alongside sweets. The earliest printed use of the Chinese word '' was in the Chinese Dictionary, though its adoption in speech likely predated that.

Early Coffee Culture in China

Early Chinese exposure to coffee was tied to foreigners and foreign-run establishments. While coffee drinking wasn’t widespread, those employed in Western kitchens or interacting with diplomats and missionaries encountered the beverage. Over time, larger hotels and Western-style restaurants added coffee services, often as part of a broader foreign culinary offering.

What About Coffee Cultivation in Asia?

Though this article focuses on China’s coffee adoption, it’s worth noting that Asia has grown into a major coffee-producing region. Today, Indonesia and Yunnan (China) are among the most notable. Yunnan’s high-altitude, cool-climate farms produce balanced, chocolatey coffees, while Indonesia is known for bold, earthy profiles with sweet undertones.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did coffee first come to China?

Coffee was first recorded in China in 1866 during the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, mentioned in an American missionary cookbook published in Shanghai. This is the earliest known written reference to coffee in Chinese context.

What was coffee originally called in China?

In the 1866 book The Western-Style Cooking Book, coffee was phonetically transcribed as ''. The modern Chinese term '' first appeared in print in the Chinese Dictionary, though its spoken use may have been earlier.

How did coffee spread to Europe?

Coffee spread to Europe largely due to the Ottoman Empire. After occupying parts of Central Europe, retreating Ottoman troops left coffee supplies and brewing knowledge in cities like Vienna and Paris, which became foundational for European coffeehouse culture.

Where was coffee drinking first popularised?

Coffee drinking originated in the Arab world, where it was initially consumed as a digestive aid. It later became popular in Turkey and spread across the Middle East before reaching Europe through trade and cultural exchange during the 15th and 16th centuries.

When did coffee shops start appearing in China?

Coffeehouses began appearing in China in the late Qing Dynasty, around the turn of the 20th century, particularly in cities like Tianjin and Shanghai. They were modelled after Western establishments and catered mainly to foreigners and affluent locals.

Was coffee grown in China historically?

Historically, coffee cultivation in China was minimal. The modern coffee farming boom in Yunnan started much later, in the late 20th century. Today, Yunnan is one of China’s primary coffee-growing regions, producing high-quality Arabica.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Asian Coffee

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s 2013 Yunnan Typica for a balanced introduction to Chinese-grown coffee: it’s medium-roasted with nutty, chocolatey, and slightly malty tones, ideal for beginners. For a classic Indonesian profile, their Lintong Mandheling offers deep spice, wood, and caramel notes with a low-acid, bold body, especially appealing when roasted medium-dark. Both showcase Asia’s distinctive contributions to global coffee flavours. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.