Meet 10 Specialty Coffee Professionals in China’s Second Barista Profile

If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the bar in China’s growing specialty coffee scene — the people shaping taste, technique, and community — here’s your chance to meet them. This ‘enhanced’ second edition of the ‘Secret Barista Archive’ goes beyond mystery: it introduces 10 real coffee professionals with detailed stories, skills, and locations. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, a great cup, or just curious about the humans behind the craft, these are the faces and voices you’ve been asking about.

In total, you’ll meet ten individuals from cities like Suzhou, Beijing, Xiamen, Dali, and Chengdu — each with unique paths into coffee, special skills (like latte art or machine repair), and personal philosophies that shape how they roast, brew, and serve. Let’s dive into who they are and what makes their coffee stories worth sipping.

The Baristas: Who They Are and Where to Find Them

10. Suzhou – Gu Xiaobai

Gu Xiaobai, a passionate Scorpio with 12 years in coffee, has worked as a barista, trainer, shop planner, and retailer selling both machines and beans. He’s now deeply devoted to pour-over and latte art. According to the profile, he believes that once your technique matures, what separates good from great is mindset: ‘When milk or water hits the coffee bed, commit without hesitation. Let the pattern form, let the aroma rise — regardless of bitterness or acidity, don’t regret it. Coffee is like life: no take-backs.’

11. Beijing – Gong Hui

Gong Hui, a handsome barista based in Beijing, combines his love for coffee with an unusual skill: machine repair. He works at a trading company where he handles both daily coffee tasks and equipment fixes. ‘Coffee is my dream,’ he says, ‘but repairing machines builds patience — something every barista should learn.’ His dual abilities reportedly make him especially valuable, especially to single cafe owners in need of a versatile hand.

12. Xiamen – Zhang Xu (Green)

Zhang Xu, also known as Green, grew up in a small Fujian city and studied brand design at East China Normal University in Shanghai. For eight years, he danced passionately before shifting focus. He spent summers helping at his mother’s coffee roastery and brew bar in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where he discovered coffee as creative expression. After aimless office work post-graduation, he launched his own brand, Namaxia Specialty Coffee, in Xiamen. ‘My coffee dances on your tongue,’ he promises.

13. Dali – Xiao Bei

Xiao Bei is a certified SCAE Advanced Roaster, Barista, and Intermediate Brewer. He won the 2015 Toper Cup Roasting Championship in Yunnan. After quitting his job in 2011, he traveled to over ten countries over two years before settling in Dali. He volunteered in Tibetan schools and at Mother Teresa’s hospice in India, and practiced Vipassana meditation in Malaysia and Sri Lanka — experiences that sharpened his sensory skills. He opened a self-roasting cafe at the foot of Cangshan Mountain. ‘We’re missing a shop owner,’ he jokes. ‘Ladies visiting Dali, take note.’

14. Changsha – Mr. Zhang

Mr. Zhang, a fashion designer turned coffee entrepreneur, founded 31 Memory Coffee from scratch. Though described as aloof and cool, those who know him say his coffee — like him — is layered, bold, and ultimately rewarding. ‘His coffee is meant to be sipped slowly,’ the article notes.

15. Shenzhen – Xiao Magee Ray

Xiao Magee Ray, known as a funny guy in the coffee circle, is actually introspective and emotionally expressive. While his coffee is good, his personal stories are said to be just as compelling. ‘Coffee gives you, the story gives me,’ he quips.

16. Dongguan – BB

At just 18 years old, BB started in coffee at 17 after leaving school. He found purpose in coffee during a time of uncertainty. Now six months into the trade, he says, ‘Coffee is like life’ — and he plans to stick with it.

17. Qingdao – Mark

Mark, 19, began working in coffee last October under mentor Huang Liuda in Qingdao. Drawn to the city’s strong coffee culture — which he calls the best he’s encountered — he chose to stay. ‘I wanted to make a coffee everyone loves, but tastes differ. So why not create the one I believe in?’ he says.

18. Chengdu – Yu Ting

Yu Ting, who jokes she looks older than she is, brings humor to her coffee service. She insists, though, that while you can laugh at everything, coffee demands seriousness. Her approach blends fun with precision.

19. Shanghai – Rocky

Rocky, a quiet, humorous, and sunny personality, sums up his coffee philosophy succinctly: ‘Coffee may beat me a thousand times, but I’ll always love it like the first time.’

How to Join the Archive

Aspiring baristas or coffee pros can still apply to be featured. The submission guidelines are simple: include a clear photo (ideally with coffee), a personal introduction detailing your city, age, coffee journey, and any insights or reflections, and send it via WeChat to best-cafe. The deadline for submissions is November 11. Priority goes to detailed, heartfelt stories — and, the editors note, it’s all ‘for a good cause,’ helping singles connect over coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the people featured in the second Secret Barista Archive?

The archive profiles ten coffee professionals: Gu Xiaobai from Suzhou, Gong Hui from Beijing, Zhang Xu (Green) from Xiamen, Xiao Bei from Dali, Mr. Zhang from Changsha, Xiao Magee Ray from Shenzhen, BB from Dongguan, Mark from Qingdao, Yu Ting from Chengdu, and Rocky from Shanghai. Each has a unique background and relationship with coffee, from roasting and brewing to machine repair and latte art.

What special skills do some of these baristas have?

Gu Xiaobai specializes in pour-over and latte art; Gong Hui repairs coffee machines in addition to making coffee; Xiao Bei is an SCAE-certified advanced roaster, barista, and intermediate brewer who won the 2015 Toper Cup Roasting Championship in Yunnan; and BB, despite being only 18, has quickly developed a passion for coffee after leaving traditional education.

Where are these baristas located?

The featured professionals work in cities across China including Suzhou, Beijing, Xiamen, Dali, Changsha, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Qingdao, Chengdu, and Shanghai. Many run or work in cafes, while others freelance, teach, or operate within the specialty supply chain.

How can I apply to be featured in the Secret Barista Archive?

You can apply by submitting a personal photo (ideally including coffee), a written self-introduction covering your age, city, coffee story, and personal insights, and sending it to the WeChat account best-cafe. The deadline for the current round is November 11, with priority given to detailed and moving submissions.

What is the SCAE and how is it mentioned in the article?

The SCAE (Specialty Coffee Association of Europe) is a professional body for the specialty coffee industry. Xiao Bei is identified as an SCAE-certified Advanced Roaster, Barista, and Intermediate Brewer, highlighting his formal training and credentials in advanced coffee skills.

Why do some of these coffee professionals emphasize mindset or emotion in coffee?

Several contributors, such as Gu Xiaobai and Yu Ting, describe coffee as intertwined with life philosophy. Gu believes technique matters less than commitment and mindset during brewing, while Yu Ting insists that coffee, like life, deserves seriousness and focus despite its enjoyable aspects.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Specialty Brewers

For fans of the diverse brewing methods and roasting stories in this feature, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera — bright with citrus and floral tones ideal for pour-over — or their PWN Golden Mandheling, a classic Indonesian offering with heavy body perfect for exploring extraction finesse. Also consider the FrontStreet Classic Blend for a balanced espresso that works well across machines. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.