SHANGHAI – The Yunnan Coffee Flavor Map and Coffee Fest 2023 is a substantial undertaking led by Torch Coffee Company in collaboration with several important Global and Chinese Coffee Industry stakeholders. The event, which has been happening annually since 2021, will occur in Shanghai at the Shanghai Hongqiao Pinhui Building from September 14 to 17.
Through an unbiased and rigorous evaluation process, the 3rd edition of the event, co-sponsored by Nestlé, Torch Coffee Company, Blue Bottle, Hong Qiao Ping Hui, Melitta, Strong Hold Roasters, Ocean Grounds, and others, and supported by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), aims to produce a comprehensive and definitive body of data, revealing the essence of Yunnan coffee like never before.
The Yunnan Coffee Flavor Map and Coffee Fest
The scope of this initiative started in the coffee fields of the ten distinct growing regions of the Yunnan province, where methodical analysis of coffee beans, soil, and microclimate data was thoroughly conducted; it will end in Shanghai, where around 700 quality graders (Q Graders) and experts in coffee evaluation, will engage in blind cupping of over 400 coffee samples to establish a data-driven understanding of the overall flavor profile of Yunnan Coffee.
“When we started 2014 working with Yunnan Coffees, there was basically no specialty coffee being produced here in Yunnan. You would be hard-pressed to find a specialty cafe without Yunnan in its coffee offerings these days. It was a slow and challenging process, but Yunnan beans are now an essential part of the specialty coffee scene all over China.” – Marty Pollack, CEO of Torch, an international and multi-faceted Coffee Company based in the heart of the Yunnan province.
“The Yunnan Coffee Flavor Map Event provides a platform that allows coffee professionals and enthusiasts to participate in a comprehensive presentation of the beauty of Yunnan coffee. By illuminating unique flavors and high-quality coffee beans sourced from Yunnan, the YCFM and Coffee Fest initiatives are assisting Yunnan producers to achieve their coffee dreams and accelerate their journey into the global coffee market”. – Sherry Zhao, head of Brand Communication, Innovation and Renovation for Coffee at Nestlé China (Nescafe, Nespresso and Starbucks).
At its core, the Yunnan CFM project is a comprehensive exploration that thoroughly represents the uniqueness of Yunnan coffee’s intricate nuances and flavor. It allows for a crucial bridge between coffee growers, discerning consumers, and the global coffee industry to capture.
The Flavor Mapping proceedings will use the Sinolytics electronic flavor record and statistical system and the evaluation support of the CQI, guaranteeing a precise cup profile identification process. The Yunnan Flavor Maps will be available for download after the event on Torch´s Company website in the upcoming months.
“The Yunnan Flavor Map Cupping’s importance goes beyond Asia and interests coffee professionals internationally because the world is watching what is happening in China. We at the CQI are eager to discover the flavors of Yunnan and help spread the word to the global coffee industry.” – Trish Rothgeb, Coffee Quality Institute Q Program Director and representative for the Yunnan CFM.
Network opportunities
The YCFM is also geared towards creating a platform for stakeholders in the coffee industry to connect and network, fostering collaboration and promoting knowledge exchange across the coffee value chain, from Yunnan farmers to consumers. Meeting and cupping rooms will be allocated specifically for this purpose.
The Coffee Fest
A Coffee Fest will accompany the Yunnan Coffee Mapping initiative, which will run from September 15 to 17.
Targeted at coffee enthusiasts and industry players, from baristas and coffee lovers to families, the free-entrance festival will have more than 100 booths showcasing coffee-related products and entertainment options, with drinks, food, live music, and curated presentations of visual artworks.
Besides hosting business networking sections, all visitors can engage with Yunnan’s coffee farmers. Attendees will have access to a designated space specifically for coffee tastings, allowing them to experience the rich and diverse flavors of Yunnan coffee fully.
Summary: About the Yunnan Coffee Map and Festival
The Yunnan Coffee Fest and Flavour Map Showcase 2023´s edition will unite over 700 certified coffee quality graders (Q Graders) to conduct blind cupping of over 400 samples from the 10 coffee-growing regions in Yunnan, China.
The event’s objective is to create a comprehensive body of data, providing insight into the true essence of Yunnan coffee and its regional distinctiveness to foster a deeper understanding of its coffee culture.
A Coffee Fest with various attractions and booths and open cuppings with producers and relevant stakeholders complements the symposium, taking place from September 15 to 17 at the Shanghai Hongqiao Pinhui Building, part of the Hongqiao Trade Center, in Shanghai.
