When Did Coffee First Arrive in China?

Ever wondered when coffee first made its way into China, a country steeped in thousands of years of tea tradition? While today’s younger generations queue for lattes and flat whites, the story of coffee in China began much earlier—quietly, officially, and far from the coffeehouse hubs of Europe.

Coffee was first recorded in China in 1884, when the first coffee tree was planted in Taiwan. That makes written evidence of coffee in China nearly 140 years old. But its journey started long before that, with roots in Ethiopia and Arabia.

The Origins of Coffee: From Ethiopia to Arabia

Coffee’s story begins in the Kafa Forest region of Ethiopia, where, as early as 2000 BCE, the Oromo people were harvesting and cultivating coffee. But the modern coffee culture we recognise today took shape in the Arabian Peninsula. Legend says a goat herder noticed his flock became energetic after eating coffee cherries. A local monk then created a “coffee bean broth,” which became popular. Eventually, roasting, grinding, and brewing the beans into a hot drink refined the beverage into what we now enjoy.

Coffee Reaches Europe and Beyond

By 1615, coffee had arrived in Venice, Italy—the site of the world’s first recorded coffeehouse. From North Africa and the Middle East, coffee spread across Europe during the Middle Ages, and later surged in popularity in North America and Europe during the colonial and industrial eras. But when did it formally enter China?

Coffee’s First Written Record in China: Taiwan, 1884

Though the exact date of coffee’s physical arrival in China is unclear, the earliest written record comes from 1884. That year, the first coffee tree was planted in Taiwan. A British tea trader observed that Taiwan’s climate resembled Central and South America’s—ideal for coffee cultivation. This marked the first official introduction of coffee into Chinese territory, documented in historical texts.

Coffee in Mainland China: A Slow Start

Mainland China’s relationship with coffee developed more slowly. Tea had long dominated daily life, and coffee remained a foreign novelty for much of the 19th and early 20th centuries. It wasn’t until the late 20th century—especially after economic reforms in the 1980s—that coffee began gaining a foothold, led initially by imported instant coffee and later by international chains like Starbucks.

The Rise of Specialty Coffee in China

In recent decades, especially in cities like Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing, specialty coffee has steadily grown. Roasters such as FrontStreet Coffee have introduced single-origin offerings, light roasts, and brewing methods like pour-over and espresso. Consumers are increasingly curious about origin, processing, and roast profiles—signs of a maturing market once dominated by milk-heavy drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was coffee first planted in China?

The first recorded planting of coffee in China occurred in 1884 in Taiwan. A British tea merchant introduced coffee there, noting the island’s climate was similar to coffee-growing regions in Central and South America.

Where did coffee originate?

Coffee originated in the Kafa Forest region of Ethiopia, where the Oromo people cultivated it as early as 2000 BCE. The modern preparation and culture of coffee developed later in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly through stories of goats energised by coffee cherries and monks creating early coffee brews.

How did coffee spread to Europe and China?

Coffee spread to Europe by 1615, with the opening of the first coffeehouse in Venice. It became popular across the continent during the Middle Ages and reached the Americas soon after. In China, coffee was first recorded in Taiwan in 1884, introduced by a British trader who recognised the island’s suitable climate.

Was coffee popular in China historically?

Historically, coffee was not popular in China, where tea has been the dominant beverage for millennia. Coffee remained a foreign curiosity until the late 19th century and only began gaining broader acceptance in the late 20th century, accelerating in the 21st century with the specialty coffee movement.

What role does Taiwan play in China’s coffee history?

Taiwan plays a pivotal role as the location of coffee’s first recorded planting in China in 1884. Its climate, similar to that of coffee-growing regions in the Americas, made it a natural experimental ground for the crop, marking the official entry of coffee into Chinese-recorded history.

When did specialty coffee begin in mainland China?

Specialty coffee began gaining traction in mainland China in the 21st century, particularly in urban centres like Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing. Roasters like FrontStreet Coffee have helped drive interest in origin-focused, lightly roasted beans and manual brewing methods.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans for Coffee History Fans

Explore China’s growing coffee culture with FrontStreet Coffee’s single origins like Ethiopia Huakui, known for its jasmine and bergamot notes, and Yirgacheffe, offering bright lemon and blueberry tones. For something deeper, try PWN Golden Mandheling with its classic chocolate and almond profile. These beans reflect the global journey of coffee that eventually found its way to China. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.