The Yunnan Yunka Series Coffee ((云南“云咖”系列咖啡)) is a coffee variety developed by the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (云南省农科院). The series aims to improve both the yield and quality of Yunnan coffee while offering strong disease resistance and potential for specialty coffee. Below are the key characteristics and current development status of Yunka Coffee.

1. Varietal Development Background

Research Objectives

Since 1967, the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (云南省农科院) has been collecting coffee germplasm resources. The goal is to develop coffee varieties with independent intellectual property, reducing the reliance on foreign varieties.

Genetic Foundation

The Yunka Series is based on Arabica coffee, optimized through hybridization to enhance disease resistance (such as resistance to leaf rust) and improve flavor. The series currently includes several sub-varieties, including Yunka No. 2 (云咖2号), No. 3 (云咖3号), and No. 4 (云咖4号).

2. Main Varietal Characteristics

Yunka No. 2 (云咖2号)

• Cupping Score: 86.75 points

• Flavor Profile: Features citrus (柑橘), caramel (焦糖), and nut (坚果) notes.

• Planting Regions: Primarily grown in high-altitude areas, such as Lujingba (潞江坝) in Baoshan (保山).

Yunka No. 3 (云咖3号) & No. 4 (云咖4号)

• These varieties maintain high yield characteristics while enhancing acidity and floral complexity.

• Ideal for specialty pour-over brewing (手冲) and espresso blends (意式拼配).

3. Market Performance and Regional Distribution

Planting Scale

The Yunka series, alongside Catimor (卡蒂姆), forms the main coffee varieties in Yunnan (云南). The proportion of specialty coffee cultivation (精品咖啡种植) continues to rise each year.

Core Planting Areas

• Baoshan (保山): The Lujingba (潞江坝) region is the core area for Yunka No. 2, often mixed with Geisha (瑰夏) coffee.

• Pu’er (普洱): Experimental planting is being carried out, with a focus on exploring unique flavor profiles.

4. Flavor Profile and Processing Recommendations

Typical Flavor

• Light Roast (浅烘焙): Emphasizes floral (花香) and fruity (果香) notes with a bright acidity (明亮酸度).

• Dark Roast (深烘焙): Highlights chocolate (巧克力) and caramel (焦糖) sweetness.

Processing Techniques

It is recommended to use the washed (水洗) or honey (蜜处理) processing methods to balance the high yield with optimal flavor characteristics.

The “Panda” Coffee Variety of Yunnan — Yunka 1962

The coffee beans grown by Yunnan Agricultural Reclamation Group (云南农垦集团) are a treasured asset within China’s agricultural reclamation system, known for their unique regional characteristics and exceptional quality. These coffee beans are primarily produced in high-altitude regions such as Baoshan (保山), Pu’er (普洱), and Lincang (临沧), showcasing the distinctive flavors of these mountainous areas. Among them, Yunka 1962 (云咖1962) is considered the “Panda-level variety” of Yunnan coffee.

Yunka 1962 originates from the coffee plantation established by Yunnan Agricultural Reclamation Lujing Farm (云南农垦潞江农场) in 1962. Currently, only 8.5 acres of land remain, producing approximately 1.5 tons of coffee cherries per year. Each year, this precious land yields about 1,200 kilograms of roasted Yunka 1962 coffee beans, a variety that represents the pinnacle of Yunnan’s coffee quality.

In addition to Yunka 1962, the Yunnan Agricultural Reclamation Group (云南农垦集团) has launched several brands and products, such as Yunfei (云啡) drip coffee, which has repeatedly won the Top Ten Products (十大名品) awards in the province and city. This reflects the group’s deep expertise and excellence in the coffee industry.

In conclusion, the coffee beans produced by the Yunnan Agricultural Reclamation Group (云南农垦集团) stand out as some of the finest coffee beans produced within China’s agricultural reclamation system.

The Past and Present of “Yunka”

More than 130 years ago, French missionaries introduced coffee seedlings from Vietnam to Dali (大理), Yunnan, to meet their personal needs, thus starting the journey of coffee cultivation in Yunnan. After a century of development, Yunnan coffee, with its unique charm, has spread its fragrance throughout China and even the world. It has become a “darling” of the market, bringing farmers from the “bitter coffee” industry into a period of “sweet days.” Let us delve into the archives and explore the history of Yunka (云咖).

The Origin: From Nothing to Something, Beginning in Zhukula

Coffee was first introduced to Taiwan in 1884, and by 1892, small-scale planting began in Zhukula Village (朱苦拉村) in Binchuan (宾川), Yunnan. In 1914, the Jingpo (景颇) people from the Dehong (德宏) region introduced coffee from Myanmar, planting it in Ruili Nongxian Village (瑞丽弄贤寨), and later expanding to Luxi (潞西), Longchuan (陇川), Yingjiang (盈江), and Lianghe (梁河).

In the 1930s, coffee began to be trial-planted in some farms. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, many schools and institutions moved to Kunming (昆明), leading to population growth and an increased demand for coffee. This created a supply shortage and rising prices. To address this, coffee cultivation expanded in areas like the Hekou Tropical Crop Experimental Farm (河口热带作物试验农场), Kaiyuan Agricultural Experimental Station (开远农事试验场), and in areas such as Jinping (金平), Yuanjiang (元江), and Ning’er (宁洱). Despite challenges like seed shortages, pests, and a lack of experience, coffee cultivation did not scale up. By this time, only about 5,000 coffee mother trees existed in the province, which later became the primary source of seedlings for the coffee industry in Yunnan.

Transformation: Industrialized Planting, Emerging Prominently

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, with guidance from central and provincial policies on developing tropical and subtropical plant resources and boosting the border economy, coffee trees that had previously been neglected were revived, and their cultivation expanded rapidly. In the 1950s and 1960s, to repay Soviet loans, Yunnan’s coffee production was planned and coordinated by the agricultural reclamation system, and large-scale planting was promoted. The product was acquired by foreign trade departments and supplied to the Soviet Union and Eastern European socialist countries, marking an opportunity for large-scale coffee cultivation in Yunnan.

Yunnan’s unique geographic environment and climate conditions made it highly suitable for growing high-quality small-bean coffee varieties. In 1952, the agricultural research station in Baoshan Lujingba (保山潞江坝) began trial planting small-bean coffee seedlings developed by the Provincial Agricultural Experiment Station (省农业试验场), making Lujingba the first small-bean coffee production and export base in China.

In 1957, Yunnan’s coffee was recognized after a trial shipment of 40 bags to the Soviet Union, leading to increased planting. In 1958, Lujing small-bean coffee was rated as a top-grade coffee at the International Coffee Tasting Conference in London, earning the name “Lujing No.1.” In 1963, the small-bean coffee from Dehong (德宏) was awarded as a quality product at the International Expo in Hamburg (德国汉堡), with its “rich aroma and slightly acidic flavor.”

By the early 1960s, Yunnan’s coffee planting area reached 58,000 acres, accounting for a quarter of the country’s total. However, after the repayment of loans and the breakdown of Sino-Soviet relations, coffee lost its market, and the spread of leaf rust caused a significant reduction in cultivation areas. The coffee industry entered a period of stagnation.

Reform and Opening Up: Revival and Growth

With the improvement of people’s living standards, the development of tourism, and increased cultural exchange between China and the West, coffee consumption saw rapid growth after the reform and opening up. In November 1980, a national coffee production symposium was held in Baoshan (保山) by the Ministry of Agriculture’s Economic Crop Bureau (农业部经济作物局), Ministry of Foreign Trade (外贸部), and the Ministry of Agricultural Reclamation (农垦部). Following this, the provincial government passed a report on developing high-yield and stable coffee plantations, focusing on Baoshan and Dehong as key coffee production bases. This marked a new opportunity for Yunnan’s coffee cultivation, ushering it into the industrial development phase.

In March 1988, to meet the market demands of China and nearby regions and to reduce the influence of South American coffee-producing countries on prices, Nestlé (瑞士雀巢) and Dongguan Tobacco and Liquor Company (东莞糖烟酒公司) collaborated to establish Dongguan Nestlé Co., Ltd. (东莞雀巢有限公司). They selected Simao (now Pu’er) (思茅) as the coffee production base, located at the same latitude as the coffee-growing powerhouse of Brazil (巴西). By 1992, Nestlé’s Coffee Agricultural Service Department (雀巢咖啡农业服务部) was established in China to guide and research the improvement and cultivation of Yunnan coffee, purchasing coffee at US spot market prices. By 1995, the coffee cultivation area in Yunnan reached 58,400 acres, surpassing Hainan (海南), and Pu’er became the fastest-growing area, accounting for 65% of the total cultivation area.

The 1990s and Beyond: International Recognition

In the 1990s, the coffee counters at the Beijing Asian Games Shopping Center (北京亚运购物中心) were filled with customers buying coffee. In the 21st century, major global coffee giants such as McDonald’s (麦氏), Kraft (卡夫), and Starbucks (星巴克) began investing in Yunnan’s coffee industry, with numerous international buyers setting up operations in Yunnan for raw material procurement.

In 2009, Starbucks began including Yunnan coffee in its procurement system, and in December 2012, Starbucks’ first Coffee Grower Support Center (咖啡种植者支持中心) in Asia was established in Pu’er (普洱), marking a significant milestone in the international recognition of Yunnan small-bean coffee and its move toward global markets.

The Rise: A Shift to Premium Coffee, Spreading Worldwide

The advantages of the Yunka series have become increasingly apparent, making the creation of an independent brand, the establishment of a market edge, and the transformation into a premium product more urgent. In 1998, Yunnan (云南) introduced the “Opinions on Accelerating the Development of the Coffee Industry” (关于加快咖啡产业发展的意见), which called for the creation of high-standard, standardized planting bases, the establishment of well-known raw coffee bean brands, and the development of premium processed coffee products. This laid the foundation for a strategic shift towards industrial growth in coffee production.

In 2007, the Ministry of Agriculture’s “Regional Layout Plan for Specialty Agricultural Products (2006–2015)” (特色农产品区域布局规划（2006—2015年）) identified the southwestern region of Yunnan as a key area for coffee development. In 2010, the State Council (国务院) issued the “Opinions on Promoting the Development of the Tropical Crop Industry in China” (关于促进我国热带作物产业发展的意见), which specifically highlighted coffee as an important national strategic resource and daily consumer product. The policy called for stronger support, improved supporting measures, resource potential exploration, and optimized industry structure.

In 2017, Yunnan issued the “Guiding Opinions on the Development of the Coffee Industry” (关于咖啡产业发展的指导意见), proposing the construction of a modern coffee industry system that integrates primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. This plan aimed to transform Yunnan from a major coffee-growing province to a powerhouse in coffee processing, coffee tourism, coffee trade, and coffee culture.

The 2022 Boost: Upgrading Quality and Processing

In 2022, Yunnan introduced the “Policies to Promote the Increase of Premium Coffee and Deep Processing Rates” (关于推动咖啡精品率和精深加工率提升若干政策措施), significantly improving the quality and processing rates of coffee. This also promoted continuous income growth for local farmers. As of the first half of 2024, 14 coffee farms in Yunnan were officially recognized as premium coffee plantations. Compared to 2022, the premium coffee rate had reached 22.7%, a 8.4% increase, while the deep processing rate had risen by 11.3%, reaching 54.3%. The price of raw coffee beans exceeded 30 yuan per kilogram for the first time, surpassing international coffee futures prices. Premium coffee beans were priced at 60 yuan per kilogram. Over 600,000 coffee farmers in Yunnan enjoyed greater income, with an average annual income increase of over 3,000 yuan. Many farmers have upgraded to new home appliances and cars, jokingly calling these items “coffee-branded,” making their lives even sweeter.

Current Status: Leading Coffee Production and Trade

As of 2023, Yunnan‘s coffee plantation area reached approximately 1.2 million acres, with a raw bean output of 146,000 tons, accounting for over 98% of domestic coffee production. As the largest coffee trade and export hub in China, Yunnan‘s coffee is primarily exported to over 50 countries and regions, including Europe (欧洲), the United States (美国), Japan (日本), South Korea (韩国), and Singapore (新加坡). Several well-known local coffee brands, such as Zhongka (中咖), Jinglan (景兰), Hougu (后谷), Xinlu (辛鹿), and Xinzai (新寨), have emerged from Yunnan and gained national recognition.

Educational and Cultural Influence

In 2024, Yunnan Agricultural University (云南农业大学) established an undergraduate program in Coffee Science and Engineering, pioneering the education of coffee professionals in China and even globally. With the rise of national pride and the wide dissemination of coffee culture, the concept of “Chinese Coffee in Yunnan” has gained widespread recognition.