Pu'er Coffee Tasting Spreads Across 1,000 Cafés in 100 Cities

When coffee lovers seek a unique single origin with bright acidity and balanced body, they often overlook China—yet one region has been quietly producing award-worthy beans for over a decade. Pu'er, better known for tea, now exports more arabica than almost any other Chinese province.

More than 10,000 people will sample Pu'er-grown arabica in over 1,000 cafés across 100 Chinese cities this June to August, during the 'Pu'er Coffee Tasting Across 100 Cities and 1,000 Cafés' event and the inaugural China Siphon Cup championship.

Why Pu'er Produces Premium Smallholder Arabica

Pu'er’s arabica—classified as 'small-type' beans by global standards—benefits from high-altitude mountain terrain and distinct microclimates. These factors produce uniformly dense beans with high gloss, intense aroma, rich flavor, and moderate fruit acidity. The International Coffee Organization (ICO) rates Pu'er’s output as Grade 1 quality.

China’s Largest Arabica Producer by Volume and Area

As of the latest data, Pu'er cultivates 650,000 mu (approximately 43,333 hectares) of coffee, yielding 36,500 metric tons annually. This accounts for 61.44% of China’s total arabica planting area and 58.6% of national production. The region is now the country’s top arabica cultivation zone, primary production hub, and key trade center.

In recognition of its coffee focus, the China Fruit Marketing Association designated Pu'er as 'China Coffee Capital' on December 10, 2012. The 'Pu'er Coffee' geographical indication trademark was registered nationally in January 2013.

Event Goals and Structure

The multi-city tasting campaign and the China leg of the World Siphon Cup aim to boost domestic awareness of Pu'er coffee’s flavor profile and elevate its market share. The initiative seeks to build national and international recognition for the region’s beans.

The event is organized by the Pu'er Municipal People’s Government, with execution led by the Pu'er Coffee Industry Development Office, the Pu'er Government Beijing Liaison Office, the Pu'er Coffee Industry Federation, Beijing Taigu Wanlong Coffee Co., Ltd., CBC Training Academy (Beijing), and Chizitianxia Media. Key supporting partners include Beijing Yigufeng Carving Time Coffee Co., Ltd. and Jazz Island International Catering Management (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

From June through August, over 1,000 affiliated cafés in 100+ major Chinese cities—including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Harbin—will host tasting sessions. Approximately 10,000 participants are expected to engage directly.

Official Event Launch

The launch ceremony took place at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center. Speakers included Zhao Liantao, Pu'er Municipal Committee Propaganda Department Head; Dong Yuguo, Vice President of Nestlé Greater China; and Zhuang Songlie, Founder of Beijing Yigufeng Carving Time Coffee. The event was officially opened by Shu Jianxin. Attendees featured representatives from Nestlé China, Starbucks China, and leading café chains.

Additional attendees included Wang Duwei, Beijing Xicheng District Propaganda Department Head, and executives from major coffee companies such as Nestlé (China) and Starbucks (China).

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Pu'er coffee different from other Chinese coffees?

Pu'er arabica is grown at high altitude with unique microclimates, resulting in beans that are dense, glossy, aromatic, and well-balanced with mild fruit acidity. It has been rated Grade 1 by the International Coffee Organization, distinguishing it for quality among Chinese coffees.

How large is Pu'er’s coffee production compared to the rest of China?

Pu'er grows coffee on 650,000 mu (about 43,333 hectares), accounting for 61.44% of China’s total arabica cultivation area, and produces 36,500 metric tons annually, making up 58.6% of the country’s total arabica output.

Where is the Pu'er Coffee Tasting event being held?

The event includes over 1,000 cafés in 100 major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Harbin. Tastings will occur between June and August 2023.

What is the China Siphon Cup?

The inaugural China Siphon Cup is the national leg of the World Siphon Cup competition, focused on promoting Pu'er coffee through the siphon brewing method during the multi-city tasting event.

Who organized the Pu'er coffee tasting campaign?

The event is organized by the Pu'er Municipal People’s Government, with key support from the Pu'er Coffee Industry Development Office, Pu'er Coffee Industry Federation, training academies, media groups, and leading coffee chains like Yigufeng and Jazz Island.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans from Yunnan

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Yunnan Arabica offerings to experience the bright, balanced profiles similar to Pu'er-grown beans. The Yunnan Honey offers notes of brown sugar and tropical fruit with a silky mouthfeel, while the Yunnan Single Origin presents citrus and caramel tones with a medium body. Both highlight the potential of high-elevation Chinese arabica. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.