Baoshan Arabica Coffee

Baoshan Arabica Coffee is a specialty coffee from Baoshan (保山), Yunnan (云南) Province, China. It is recognized as a Geographical Indication Product by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China (国家质检总局). Known for its exceptional quality, this coffee is one of the best in China and globally, with its evenly sized beans, fresh aroma, rich fragrance, and full-bodied taste. The coffee is celebrated for its smooth and strong flavor without being overly intense, earning it global acclaim. In the late 1950s, it was rated as first-class in the London Market and earned the name “Lujiang No. 1” (潞江一号). At the 1980 National Coffee Conference, it was recognized as “The Crown of National Coffee.”

In December 2010, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China approved the protection of Baoshan Arabica Coffee as a Geographical Indication Product.

Product Features

Baoshan Arabica Coffee is highly praised by coffee experts worldwide, who describe its characteristics as follows:

• “Rich but not bitter, aromatic but not overpowering, smooth and well-balanced.”

• “It has a rich oil content, with pronounced fruity acidity and a lasting sweetness in the aftertaste.”

• “This is considered one of the finest coffees in the world.”

The coffee has a delicate floral aroma reminiscent of jasmine, citrus flowers, and osmanthus. It offers a fresh, elegant scent and a memorable taste experience. The coffee exhibits a mild bitterness, providing a rich and enjoyable flavor profile. Its full-bodied taste is smooth, with a refreshing and non-intrusive fruit acidity.

Geographic Origin and Environment

Baoshan is located in Lujingba (潞江坝), a dry and hot river valley climate unique to Yunnan. This region is ideal for growing small bean coffee. Lujingba, located on the southern slopes of Gaoligong Mountain (高黎贡山), spans the banks of the Nu River (怒江) at altitudes ranging from 640 meters to 3,510 meters. The coffee-growing areas are mainly located between 800 to 1,200 meters in altitude, with some areas extending up to around 1,400 meters.

The climate is characterized by a subtropical monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 21.3°C, 2,334.5 hours of sunshine per year, and annual rainfall ranging from 721.51 to 1,000 millimeters. The accumulated temperature above 10°C reaches 7,800°C, and there is virtually no frost throughout the year. These environmental conditions make Baoshan one of the best regions for producing high-quality small-bean coffee.

History and Origins

Baoshan is one of the three major coffee-producing regions in Yunnan, and it is a pioneer in both coffee cultivation and processing in China. The region’s coffee cultivation history dates back to the mid-20th century. The oldest coffee trees in Baoshan are over 60 years old.

Since 1952, large-scale coffee cultivation began in Baoshan, and the region has accumulated decades of expertise in coffee farming. Due to the unique natural conditions of the Nu River basin and Kuhu River basin, along with years of accumulated cultivation technology, Baoshan coffee has earned an excellent reputation in the international market for its unique quality.

Development Stages of Baoshan Coffee Industry

The development of Baoshan coffee can be divided into four stages:

1. Initial Stage (1950s): In the 1950s, Baoshan Arabica Coffee was successfully promoted for large-scale cultivation in Lujingba, and by 1960, the coffee planting area in the city reached nearly 10,000 acres.

2. Decline Stage (1960s-1970s): Due to market issues, pests, and other factors, coffee cultivation in Baoshan experienced a decline. By the late 1970s, the city’s coffee plantation area shrank to just 0.3 acres.

3. Restart Stage (1980s): In the late 1980s, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the involvement of international coffee production groups, coffee prices surged, reaching as high as 30 yuan per kilogram. The Baoshan coffee industry began to recover, and by 1997, the city’s coffee plantation area had grown to nearly 30,000 acres.

4. Rapid Growth Stage (1990s-Present): Since the launch of the Yunnan Province Bio-Resources Development Program, the Baoshan coffee industry has experienced rapid growth. This stage has seen significant advancements in the local coffee farming techniques and production scale.

Current Status and Recognition

As of recent years, Baoshan coffee continues to be highly regarded both domestically and internationally, known for its quality and the unique growing environment of Yunnan. It remains a flagship product of the Yunnan coffee industry, representing the excellence of China’s Arabica coffee.

Production Overview

In 2015, the coffee planting area in Baoshan (保山) City surpassed 235,000 acres, with a total coffee production of 35,120 tons, achieving a production value of 640 million yuan. The city exported 10,086 tons of coffee, earning foreign exchange of $3.65 million USD. The agricultural output value amounted to 634 million yuan, while the sales value reached 699 million yuan.

Product Recognition and Honors

Baoshan Arabica Coffee has received multiple prestigious awards and recognitions over the years:

• In 1958, Baoshan small-bean coffee was rated as a first-class product at the London Market and earned the title “Lujiang No. 1” (潞江一号).

• In 1980, at the National Coffee Conference, it was recognized as the “Crown of National Coffee” in China, and Baoshan was listed as one of the national coffee production bases by the State Council‘s South Asia Tropical Region Office.

• In 1984, at the Beijing Expo, Baoshan small-bean coffee was praised as “China’s Coffee Crown” by domestic and international coffee experts.

• In 1987, after a visit to Lujing (潞江), the technical director of Nestlé Coffee from Switzerland praised the coffee, stating, “This is the best coffee I have ever had in China.”

• In October 1992, Baoshan small-bean coffee won the Silver Award at the China Agricultural Expo. Since there was no Gold Award set for that year, Baoshan small-bean coffee was awarded the highest prize.

• In 1993, it won the Eureka Gold Medal at the World Coffee Tasting Competition held in Brussels, Belgium.

• On December 24, 2010, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (formerly the National Quality Supervision Bureau) approved the Geographical Indication Protection for Baoshan small-bean coffee.

• On July 20, 2020, Baoshan small-bean coffee was included in the first batch of geographical indications in the China-Europe Geographical Indication Protection List.

Geographical Indication Protection

Protected Geographic Area

The geographical indication protection for Baoshan small-bean coffee covers five districts in Baoshan City: Longyang District (隆阳区), Longling County (龙陵县), Shidian County (施甸县), Changning County (昌宁县), and Tengchong County (腾冲县) in Yunnan Province. These areas are the core regions where Baoshan small-bean coffee is produced and protected under the geographical indication system.

Quality and Technical Requirements

1. Varieties

• Catimor

• Typica (Iron variety)

• Bourbon

• Caturra

• Mundo Novo

2. Site Conditions

• The protected area is situated at an altitude between 1,000 meters and 1,500 meters above sea level.

• The soil types include brick-red soil, dry red soil, sandy soil, and yellow soil.

• The soil thickness should be ≥60 cm, and the underground water level must be 1 meter below the surface.

• The soil pH range is from 5.5 to 6.5.

3. Cultivation Management

• Seedling and Planting: Coffee seeds should be sown between March and July. Once the seedlings reach a height of ≥30 cm, they are transplanted. The planting density is 5,000 to 6,000 plants per hectare.

• Fertilization: Organic fertilizers and mineral fertilizers should be used as the primary base fertilizers. No less than 30 tons of organic fertilizer per hectare should be applied.

• Harvesting: Fresh coffee cherries should be harvested by mid-April. Only the ripe, red cherries are picked manually from the plants.

• Environmental and Safety Requirements: The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals must comply with national regulations to ensure no environmental contamination.

4. Processing

• Processing Steps: Wet processing is used with the following steps:

  • Fresh fruit → Skin removal → Fermentation → Washing → Drying → Hulling → Grading and Packaging → Storage.

• Processing Techniques:

  1. Fresh Fruit: The coffee cherries should be fully ripe and red when harvested.

  2. Skin Removal: If the skin cannot be removed immediately after picking, the fresh cherries must be soaked in water to preserve them.

  3. Fermentation: The peeled coffee beans are placed in fermentation tanks at a temperature of approximately 20°C and left to ferment for 20 to 24 hours. The fermentation time can be extended if the temperature is low but should not exceed 72 hours.

  4. Drying: The beans should be sun-dried or machine-dried. The moisture content should be reduced to below 45% within 24 hours, and the final moisture content should be 12%.

5. Quality Features

• Sensory Characteristics:

  • Appearance: The beans should be uniform, plump, and glossy, with no damage or shriveling. The color should be light blue or light green, and the aroma should be fresh with no off-flavors.

  • Sensory: The coffee should have a rich aroma and a full-bodied taste with a strong yet smooth flavor and a slight fruity acidity.

  • Bean Size: ≥5.5 mm.

• Physical and Chemical Indicators:

  Item	Standard
  Moisture (%)	≤ 12
  Water Solubles (%)	≥ 22.0
  Caffeine (%)	≥ 0.8
  Total Sugars (%)	≥ 9.0
  Protein (%)	≥ 11.5
  Crude Fat (%)	≥ 5.5

6. Safety Requirements

The safety standards of the product must meet the national regulations for similar products.

7. Use of Geographical Indication Marks

Producers within the protected geographical indication area of Baoshan (保山) small-bean coffee may apply to the Baoshan Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau (保山市质量技术监督局) to use the “Geographical Indication Product Mark.” After review by the Yunnan Provincial Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau (云南省质量技术监督局), approval is granted by the National General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (国家质检总局). The designated testing institution for Baoshan (保山) small-bean coffee is assigned by the Yunnan Provincial Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau (云南省质量技术监督局).