Citizens Learn to Brew Coffee at Local Roastery

When a local newspaper organized a tour of a family-run coffee factory, visitors didn’t expect to see actual coffee trees growing just steps from the roasting equipment—or to watch green beans transform into richly aromatic cups right before their eyes. For many, it was the first time they’d encountered the full journey of coffee, from fruit to finished brew.

Citizens visiting the Bika Coffee Food Factory learned to grind and pour coffee under a roaster’s guidance, tasted freshly roasted beans from global origins, and saw three rare coffee trees cultivated onsite—all in one afternoon.

Coffee Trees Inside a Guangzhou Factory

"Coffee trees grow this short?" visitors exclaimed as Bika owner Yang Qinglin showed them the company’s only three coffee trees. "These are actually taller than usual under ideal conditions," he replied. The trees, planted to educate visitors unfamiliar with coffee agriculture, produce familiar-looking cherries—but few had ever seen them firsthand. Enthusiast You Kaiping even pocketed a few beans, marveling, "I’ve never seen coffee fruit straight from the branch before."

Global Coffee Beans in the Warehouse

In the storage area, sacks of green coffee beans from around the world lined the shelves. Visitors closely examined beans varying in size, color, and texture—each batch reflecting its country of origin. The visual differences between origins offered a vivid lesson in how terroir shapes the raw material before roasting even begins.

Hands-On Coffee Brewing Lesson

Inside the training space, a lineup of brewers—including a siphon pot with a built-in thermometer—drew curious questions. Under a roaster’s instruction, participants practiced grinding beans and brewing pour-over coffee. The first cups yielded bright, acidic profiles rather than intense bitterness, surprising those who expected harsher flavors. Many sipped eagerly from small cups, commenting on the unexpected clarity and aroma.

About the Factory and Future Tours

Bika imports most of its beans internationally, then roasts and distributes them domestically—often through agents unfamiliar with cultivation or brewing basics. To bridge that gap, the company grows demo trees and hosts hands-on sessions. The local community newspaper plans more factory tours to showcase regional food businesses and economic activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many coffee trees are at the Bika Coffee Food Factory?

The factory has three coffee trees planted onsite, specifically to help visitors understand coffee cultivation. These trees are kept shorter than typical due to growing conditions, and are used purely for educational purposes.

What did visitors learn about coffee beans during the tour?

Visitors saw and handled green coffee beans sourced from various global regions. They observed differences in bean size, color, and texture, which vary depending on the coffee’s country of origin.

Did participants actually brew coffee themselves?

Yes—a professional instructor guided citizens through grinding beans and using brewers like a siphon pot. Participants brewed pour-over coffee and tasted the results, noting its acidity and aroma rather than bitterness.

What brewing equipment was shown during the session?

The training area included multiple brewers, notably a siphon pot equipped with a temperature gauge. Visitors took photos and asked questions about the various tools used in specialty coffee preparation.

Will there be more factory tours like this?

Yes. The local newspaper, , plans additional tours of regional businesses to help citizens learn about local enterprises and the local economy.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Brewing Workshops

For hands-on brewing sessions like those at Bika Coffee, try FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for its bright citrus and floral notes, or FrontStreet’s Colombia Huila for balanced caramel and nutty tones. Both single-origin beans highlight distinct flavor profiles ideal for pour-over practice. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.