CHINA - MENGLIAN YI RONG
ANAEROBIC NATURAL
Yi Rong Coffee Manor is a second-generation coffee estate located in Menglian, Yunnan, where high elevations, a subtropical monsoon climate, and careful post-harvest practices support the production of distinctive specialty coffees.
FARM: Yi Rong Coffee
VARIETALS: Catimor Arabica P3 · Catimor Arabica P4
PROCESSING: Natural Anaerobic (Double Fermentation)
ALTITUDE: 1,300 to 1,600 meters above sea level
REGION: Menglian, Pu’er · Yunnan, China
CERTIFICATIONS: EcoCert Organic · NOP Organic · GB Organic
TASTING NOTES: Blackberry, Cinnamon, Molasses
Yi Rong Coffee Manor was established in 1988 and is now managed by the second generation of growers, continuing a long-term vision of developing specialty coffee in Yunnan. Situated far from major urban centers, the farm benefits from a subtropical monsoon climate and strong altitude variation across the estate. A natural mountain spring flows year-round through the property, supporting farm operations and contributing to careful post-harvest handling.
Covering more than 130 hectares and home to over 60,000 coffee trees, Yi Rong emphasizes quality through selective harvesting of fully ripe red cherries. Harvest takes place from December through February, with annual production ranging between 300 and 500 tonnes. Organic-certified practices replace chemical inputs with compost, while natural anaerobic fermentation is used to carefully manage cherry fermentation, reflecting the estate’s focus on consistency, control, and long-term sustainability.
HARVEST & POST-HARVEST
Cherries are selectively handpicked at peak ripeness before undergoing a natural anaerobic process. Whole cherries are fermented in sealed, oxygen-limited environments to control fermentation activity, then slowly dried to stabilize the coffee and preserve its structure. Each stage is carefully monitored to ensure consistency and quality before milling and export preparation.
COFFEE IN CHINA
A French missionary brought coffee to Yunnan province in the late 19th century, marking the crop's introduction to China. However, the modern Chinese coffee cultivation industry began in 1988 when the Chinese government, The World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme jointly initiated a program to introduce coffee growing in the region.
Despite not being well known for coffee production, Yunnan has the ideal conditions for specialty coffee production. In fact, the majority of coffee produced in China is grown in the Yunnan Province in western China.
