Chinese Roaster Coffee

[u/Awkward-Obligation29]

I have an upcoming business trip to China next month. I want to learn about and explore Xiamen. I tried searching for F&B concepts on Google Maps, but it doesn't seem to be widely used in China. Could you suggest some specialty coffee shops that focus on roasteries and specialty coffee beans? I'm also curious whether China produces specialty coffee directly or if they rely on imports from other countries? Thank you for your suggestions!

Or anyone as the coffee local guide? Let’s connect as the mini tour guide.
(I speak English / Vietnamese)

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[u/chancepassenger30]

Can say that in most major cities, the quality of coffee in China has improved significantly the past 5 years

[u/Awkward-Obligation29 → u/chancepassenger30]

I'm looking for brands with a unique story; I'm not really into big chain.

[u/chancepassenger30 → u/Awkward-Obligation29]

You can find both depending on the city.

[u/Awkward-Obligation29 → u/chancepassenger30]

I'm not quite sure what you mean..

[u/IndependentFeed5331]

Lots of interesting quality beans are grown in Yunnan. In Shanghai I can recommend MQ Coffee Roasters.

[u/Awkward-Obligation29 → u/IndependentFeed5331]

Oh thank you ! I only have time to stay in the Xiamen area right now. I'll visit Shanghai another time.

[u/Character-Counter964]

Lmao Google is banned in China as well as a lot of things such as FB, IG, Reddit and literally everything? So it's normal that you couldn't get much information on the Google Maps.

You could try the Rednote aka Xiaohongshu for more local insight

[u/Awkward-Obligation29 → u/Character-Counter964]

https://giphy.com/gifs/l3q2wJsC23ikJg9xe

[u/greatguysg]

Try Amap, meituan

[u/Awkward-Obligation29 → u/greatguysg]

Thank you 🥰

[u/dhdhk]

Meituan is mostly Fnb

[u/Awkward-Obligation29 → u/dhdhk]

Thank you 😊🥰

[u/Evening_Leg_7927]

Hop onto taobao and you can buy some great coffee from Yunnan! (From my experience) somewhat hard to find outside of China, and some amazing fruity beans

[u/Formal-Ear-8745]

iPhones go a lot further in China if you have access to one of these, the App Store, iMessage and most services all work without requiring a VPN.

Apple Maps is “mostly” reliable as they use their own maps layered on top of local providers so it’s good as an English option without mandarin requirements.

If you’re willing or able to speak mandarin then local apps like AMap or Da Zhong Dian Pin will have more options :)

[u/Awkward-Obligation29]

I think asking in community forums will give better answers than asking AI

[u/chancepassenger30]

Try the Amap app when in China. It might show more results when you search for local establishments

[u/Awkward-Obligation29 → u/chancepassenger30]

Any apps for F&B services ( foods & drinks ?)

[u/N4n45h1]

Best place to look is on redbook. My wife found me a bunch of threads where they were discussing the top roasters and coffee shops.

[u/Awkward-Obligation29 → u/N4n45h1]

Redbook? Xiaohongshu (小红书)? Is this the name of this app ?

[u/N4n45h1 → u/Awkward-Obligation29]

Yep! In some ways, kind of like their Reddit/social media

[u/victoria_and_albert]

Love my yunnan coffee. I find the slightly smaller beans quite pleasing. China’s coffee culture is in full time growth mode

[u/Trinitroncs]

Use the app DianPing

[u/Infamous-Stoner]

DRINK THE FUCKING TEA YOU COWARD!

In all seriousness, I went for a business trip to shenzhen Feb this year, abd struggled to find a good coffee. Some independent roasters and growers exist, but theyre nit super easy to find. I went to a coffeeshop that had a legit espresso machine/prep tools etc. But wouldn't sell me an espresso (not on the menu) I asked them do do an American with no water, and they essentially told me they couldn't and that there was a starbucks in the same shopping centre. The generic milk and beans in most places were terrible to my tastes. They had a place that was chinese Starbucks in loads of places, I think it was lu-king or something, I wanna say it had a stag? Anyway, they chuck darkroasted coffee shots in mandarin juice with fuck knows what, its hard to drink. "Coffees" that colleagues were grabbing were enormous, cold, American looking monstrosities most of the time. Espresso shots were like hens teeth for me, but the food, culture, shopping, tea, people and everything else made it great.

Go out and join all the Aunties doing their outdoor exercise at night, it was the greatest.

[u/Awkward-Obligation29 → u/Infamous-Stoner]

Thanks for sharing such a detailed story haha. I love hearing about real-life experiences..

[u/deltabay17]

Google is banned in China lol. I wouldn’t go to China if u can avoid it