When it comes to the history of coffee cultivation in China, many people immediately think of “1904, when missionary Tian De Neng introduced coffee in Zhukula,” but in fact, the history of coffee in China dates back even earlier.
(photo from online)
In 1884, coffee seeds were planted in Taiwan Province, and about ten years later, in 1893, the Jingpo people in Yunnan began their association with coffee. For them, coffee was not only a daily beverage but also a precious dowry item in marriages.
In JingPo Coffee Plantation
Speaking of the spread of coffee, one cannot omit the foreign missionary Owen Hansen. He arrived at the China-Burma border in 1890 with the Bible and coffee seeds, spreading his faith and introducing coffee culture to the Jingpo people.
In 1952, the first specialized coffee factory in China was established in Hainan, and subsequently, places like Guangdong and Yunnan also began attempts at large-scale coffee cultivation.
However, in 1962, due to a coffee glut in the international market and adjustments in domestic policies, the coffee industry entered a period of decline.
It wasn’t until 1981, with policy adjustments, that the coffee industry began to recover. In 1988, the introduction of Catimor coffee seeds by the Agricultural Science Institute of Dehong Prefecture in Yunnan injected new vitality into the diversity of Yunnan coffee. The 1990s marked the peak period for the coffee industry. The establishment of Yunnan Coffee Factory in 1992 signified the maturation of China’s coffee industry. The involvement of Swiss Nestlé and American Maxwell House further propelled Yunnan coffee onto the world stage.
Today, Yunnan’s coffee production accounts for about 95% of the national total, with Pu’er, known for its Pu’er tea, contributing over 60% of Yunnan’s output.
Holding coffee in one hand and tea in the other aptly describes the current state of Pu’er.