Taiwanese Entrepreneur Builds Coffee Eco-Park in Fujian

Most people don’t travel halfway around the world to grow coffee on a mountain in Fujian—but Huang Wenguang did. After years in Taiwan’s construction industry, he swapped rebar for red dirt and ended up planting over 50,000 coffee trees in a remote corner of China’s southeast. What began as a hobby for a coffee-loving expat became a 500-acre sustainable agro-tourism experiment that now yields 10 metric tons of beans a year.

Huang’s Nankeng Coffee Eco-Park spans 500 acres with 50,000+ coffee trees, producing 10 tons of coffee beans annually. The farm uses entirely green cultivation methods and includes a mountain-facing café row and employee-led sorting of 'male' and 'female' coffee beans.

A Former Builder Turns to Coffee

In 2005, Huang Wenguang—then a Taiwan-based construction professional—took a gamble on Fujian’s agricultural potential. His first attempt, mushroom farming, took several tries before succeeding with a climate-controlled king oyster mushroom facility. But just as that business stabilized, another opportunity emerged: the 2008 inscription of Fujian’s tulou earthen buildings as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sensing a shift in regional tourism and agriculture, Huang pivoted again—this time to coffee.

Fujian’s Hidden Coffee Climate

Huang wasn’t starting from scratch. He’d already been nurturing five coffee trees he brought from Taiwan just for personal use. Fujian’s subtropical highland climate, marked by warm temperatures, good rainfall, and distinct day-night temperature shifts, turned out to be ideal for cultivating coffee. In 2008, he leased 130 mountainous acres in Nankeng Town, Nanjing County, and imported 1,000 coffee trees from Taiwan. Over time, his investment grew to nearly 20 million RMB (about $2.8 million USD), expanding the planted area to 500 acres and the tree count to over 50,000.

Green Cultivation & the 'Male' and 'Female' Bean Sort

The entire coffee park follows green, sustainable farming protocols inspired by Taiwan’s precision agriculture model. Huang has trained his staff to identify and separate what he calls “male” and “female” coffee beans—a likely folk term referring to visual or density differences in beans, possibly related to unripe, overripe, or defective sorting (the article does not specify scientific categorization). This attention to detail ensures higher-quality lots for specialty markets.

Beyond the Beans: A Coffee Lifestyle Destination

The farm’s most visible feature? A line of scenic coffee bars facing the mountains. “Coming here and tasting coffee in nature—that’s the real pleasure,” says Huang. Each morning, he personally starts his day at the park’s café, grinding and brewing his own coffee before the crowds arrive. The site has hosted two Nankeng Coffee Festivals, helping establish the region’s reputation for locally grown beans under the “Nankeng Coffee” brand. A satisfied international dignitary once purchased 1 kilogram of beans after a tasting, further validating Huang’s efforts.

Expanding the Coffee Vision

Huang’s ambitions go beyond farming. He plans to build a processing facility on-site for value-added coffee products like coffee biscuits, canned drinks, and even coffee soap. He also intends to expand the “Nankeng Coffee” brand by opening cafés across multiple cities, taking Fujian-grown beans far beyond the mountain valleys of Nanjing County.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Nankeng Coffee Eco-Park located?

The Nankeng Coffee Eco-Park is located in Nankeng Town, Nanjing County, Fujian Province, China. It spans 500 acres in a mountainous region with a subtropical highland climate.

How many coffee trees are planted at the farm?

The farm has over 50,000 coffee trees covering 500 acres, producing approximately 10 metric tons of coffee beans per year.

What sustainability practices are used at the coffee farm?

The farm employs fully green cultivation methods based on Taiwan’s precision agriculture model, though specific techniques like composting or pesticide use aren’t detailed in the article.

Does the farm sell coffee directly to consumers?

The farm has a branded product line called “Nankeng Coffee,” hosts coffee festivals, and operates mountain-view cafés. While direct-to-consumer retail details aren’t specified, the branding suggests local and potentially expanded sales channels.

What is the 'male' and 'female' coffee bean sorting about?

The article refers to Huang teaching staff to sort “male” and “female” coffee beans, likely a colloquial or internal term for quality sorting based on bean appearance or density. No scientific classification is provided.

What other coffee products are planned for production?

Huang plans to produce coffee biscuits, canned coffee drinks, and coffee soap at a future on-site processing facility as part of a broader coffee product line.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Fujian-Grown Style

While Fujian-grown coffee is still emerging, fans of the Nankeng Coffee Eco-Park might enjoy FrontStreet Coffee’s 2013 Yunnan Typica, a single-origin lot processed naturally with pronounced citrus and berry tones, or their washed Yunnan Arabica from the high-altitude hills of Baoshan, offering clean sweetness with caramel and soft acidity. Both beans reflect the kind of nuanced, terroir-driven profiles possible in China-grown coffees. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.