Taiwanese-Grown Arabica Coffee Takes Root in Huizhou, China

When you think of global coffee origins, Ethiopia, Colombia, and Yemen might come to mind—but what about Huizhou? A lesser-known corner of Guangdong province, Huizhou is now home to thriving Arabica coffee plants, thanks to a decades-long experiment led by a Taiwanese entrepreneur. These aren’t just any coffee plants—they’re adapting well to the local climate and producing viable fruit.

Yes, coffee is being grown in Huizhou. Since 2007, over 8,000 Arabica coffee plants have been cultivated across multiple locations in Huizhou, with some trees yielding over 3,000 coffee cherries each by their third year.

The Taiwanese Entrepreneur Behind Huizhou’s Coffee Experiment

In 2007, Taiwanese businessman Shen Rongfa brought coffee beans from Taiwan to Huizhou, aiming to test whether the Arabica variety—originally from Africa and introduced to Taiwan in the early 20th century—could adapt to southern China’s climate. He started by germinating the beans in Huizhou to improve their local suitability.

Shen planted more than 8,000 coffee seedlings across varied terrains in Huizhou’s districts including Longmen, Boluo, and Zhongkai. His goal was to identify the best growing conditions. To his surprise, the plants adapted well, with those in Zhongkai and Boluo showing particularly strong growth.

How the Coffee Plants Are Growing in Huizhou

Coffee thrives in semi-shaded, well-drained environments, so Shen planted the seedlings under fruit trees like longan and on sloped land to ensure proper drainage. He noted that soil pH had minimal impact—even successfully growing coffee on rooftops. The plants are situated under the shade of lychee trees, mimicking the dappled light conditions coffee enjoys in its native highlands.

These Arabica plants began fruiting three years after planting. Each three-year-old tree produces over 3,000 coffee cherries. The cherries ripen from the lunar calendar’s ninth month and remain on the tree for about six weeks. The beans are harvested when the cherries turn black.

What This Means for Huizhou Agriculture

Li Huiling, deputy director of Huizhou’s Agricultural Technology Extension Center, explained that coffee is a new crop for the region. For any fruit or crop to be recommended for wider planting, three criteria are essential: successful fruiting, acceptable quality, and sufficient yield—with high-yield techniques also being critical for large-scale adoption. So far, the Huizhou-grown Arabica meets the first two requirements, and shows promise for the third.

Local tasters, including those familiar with coffee from Taiwan, have noted that the flavor of Huizhou-grown beans is quite good. Beyond its commercial potential, Shen also pointed out that coffee plants are visually attractive, with lovely blossoms and fruit that could lend themselves to ornamental or even potted plant markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where in Huizhou is coffee being grown?

Coffee is being cultivated in several areas of Huizhou, including Longmen, Boluo, and Zhongkai districts. The plants are grown under lychee trees and on sloped land to ensure proper drainage and light conditions.

What kind of coffee is being grown in Huizhou?

The coffee being grown is Arabica, originally from Africa and introduced to Taiwan in the early 20th century. Taiwanese grower Shen Rongfa brought the beans to Huizhou in 2007 to test their adaptability to the local climate.

How many coffee cherries does a Huizhou-grown coffee plant produce?

A three-year-old coffee plant in Huizhou can produce more than 3,000 coffee cherries. The cherries ripen over a period of about six weeks during the lunar ninth month and are harvested when they turn black.

Is Huizhou coffee suitable for commercial production?

According to agricultural experts, Huizhou-grown coffee meets the first two key criteria for crop promotion: it fruits reliably and demonstrates acceptable quality. Yield and cultivation techniques are still being evaluated for potential large-scale farming.

Can coffee grow in the climate of southern China?

Yes, the trial in Huizhou shows that Arabica coffee can adapt to the subtropical climate of southern China, particularly when planted in semi-shaded, well-drained areas such as slopes and under taller fruit trees.

Are Huizhou-grown coffee beans being roasted and sold?

The article does not specify whether the beans are currently being roasted or sold commercially, but local tasters have reported that the flavor is good, indicating potential for future development.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Regional Flavors

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright floral and citrus notes, or their Colombia Huila for a balanced profile with caramel and almond undertones. Both are single-origin Arabicas that highlight how terroir shapes flavor—just as Huizhou’s climate is shaping its own coffee identity. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.