The 130-Year History of Hougu Coffee in Dehong, China

When you think about the origins of coffee in China, it’s not Ethiopia or Colombia that comes to mind—but a remote village in Yunnan called Zhukula. Over a century ago, a French missionary planted the country’s first coffee trees there, unknowingly laying the foundation for what would become China’s most significant domestic coffee story. That story is now centered in Dehong, a region that has grown into the heart of the nation’s coffee industry.

Hougu Coffee, headquartered in Dehong’s capital city of Mangshi, traces its roots to 1892, when French missionaries introduced coffee to Zhukula Village in Yunnan. Today, Hougu is China’s largest and most vertically integrated coffee company, managing over 120,000 acres of coffee farms and producing more than 10,000 metric tons of green coffee annually.

The Birthplace of Chinese Coffee: Zhukula and 'Hougu’s Origin'

In 1892, French missionary Father Tian Deneng brought coffee to Zhukula Village in Binchuan, Yunnan—the location of China’s oldest surviving coffee plantation. Hougu Coffee identified this site as the origin point of Chinese coffee culture and officially named it "Hougu’s Origin." The company has implemented five key protective measures to conserve this historic coffee forest, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

Dehong: China’s Coffee Gold Belt

Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province lies between 23°50′ and 25°20′ north latitude—squarely within the coffee-friendly zone along the Tropic of Cancer. Its capital, Mangshi (meaning "City of Dawn" in the Dai language), is where Hougu Coffee began. This region’s climate and elevation make it ideal for growing high-quality Arabica coffee.

From Plantation to Cup: Hougu’s Integrated Model

Hougu Coffee Co., Ltd., a subsidiary controlled by Dehong Hongtian Industrial Group, leads China’s coffee supply chain. The parent group, founded in 1994, operates across the full spectrum of coffee production—from planting and processing to domestic market development. Hougu has expanded to include six subsidiaries across Yunnan (Luxi, Yingjiang, Gasa, Lincang), Kunming, and South Korea.

The company manages 120,900 acres of coffee plantations, with an investment of 540 million RMB. Its processing infrastructure includes an annual production capacity of 3,000 metric tons of roasted coffee powder and a new 10,000-ton instant coffee powder production line (463 million RMB investment). Hougu produces over 10,000 tons of green coffee beans and 3,000 tons of coffee powder yearly, generating 240 million RMB in revenue. The company holds ISO9001:2007 certification and has earned numerous accolades, including National Agricultural Industrialization Key Leading Enterprise (the only one in China’s coffee sector), Yunnan Provincial Famous Trademark, and Green Food Certification.

Innovation, Patents, and the Road Ahead

Over the past decade, Hougu has developed more than 20 "Hougu" brand coffee products tailored to consumer preferences. The company holds multiple patents and was recognized as a Yunnan Provincial Advanced Private Enterprise in 2001, and as a Quality and Reputation Demonstration Unit by the China Light Industry Products Quality Assurance Center in 2005. It also received the China Green Food Certificate and was named a Yunnan Provincial Agricultural Industrialization Excellent Leading Enterprise in 2006.

With plans for IPO and strong backing from provincial government, Hougu aims to shift the balance of China’s coffee market away from foreign dominance. Backed by its century-long legacy beginning in Zhukula and its modern infrastructure in Dehong, Hougu is positioning Chinese coffee—from Fugala Village to the global stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did coffee originate in China?

Coffee was first introduced to China in 1892 by French missionaries in Zhukula Village, Binchuan County, Yunnan Province. This site is now recognized by Hougu Coffee as "Hougu’s Origin" and is protected through specific conservation measures.

What is Hougu Coffee?

Hougu Coffee is China’s largest and most vertically integrated coffee company, headquartered in Dehong, Yunnan. It manages coffee cultivation, processing, and domestic sales, with operations spanning multiple provinces and international markets including South Korea.

Where is Dehong and why is it important for coffee?

Dehong is a autonomous prefecture in Yunnan Province, located between 23°50′ and 25°20′ north latitude, within the Tropic of Cancer coffee belt. Its capital, Mangshi, is the origin point of Hougu Coffee and an ideal region for growing Arabica coffee due to its climate and altitude.

How much coffee does Hougu produce?

Hougu produces over 10,000 metric tons of green coffee beans and 3,000 metric tons of coffee powder annually. The company has 120,900 acres of coffee plantations and processes coffee at a rate of 3,000 tons of roasted powder per year, with plans to scale up to 10,000 tons of instant coffee.

What recognition has Hougu Coffee received?

Hougu has been named a National Agricultural Industrialization Key Leading Enterprise, Yunnan Provincial Famous Trademark holder, and Green Food Certified. It has also earned awards for quality, innovation, and private enterprise development in China.

What are Hougu’s future goals?

Hougu aims to reduce foreign dominance in China’s coffee market and expand globally. With over 20 product lines, multiple patents, and upcoming IPO plans, it seeks to establish Chinese coffee—starting from Zhukula and Dehong—as a major player worldwide.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans from Yunnan

Explore Yunnan’s coffee heritage with FrontStreet Coffee’s Yunnan Arabica offerings. The Yunnan Single Origin features bright acidity with notes of citrus and stone fruit, showcasing the terroir of China’s key coffee-growing region. For something deeper, try the Yunnan Honey Process, which delivers honey-like sweetness with tropical fruit undertones. Both beans highlight the quality potential of Yunnan-grown coffee, rooted in the same region as Hougu’s origin. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.