This coffee originates from Shigaoqing and Guiben, an area traditionally famous for its exceptional tea. Based in a remote part of Yunnan, east of Pu’er City and close to the Laos border, the region is home to many ethnic minorities including Hani, Miao, Dai and others.

The production of this coffee is spearheaded by Tian Cai, who is the Farm Operations Manager for Yunnan Coffee Traders (YCT), with family member Mr Tang managing the farm on a daily basis. They belong to a small group of farmer families in the Guiben region of Yunnan province.

Cherries are grown by these farms as well as purchased directly from nearby smallholder farmers. Tian Cai and Mr Tang’s principal motivations with the production of specialty coffee are two-fold, bringing sustainable livelihoods to their families and those of the local smallholder farmers in the surrounding area as well as returning the land back to being more biodiverse - many farms focus on one cash crop such as bananas. Only organic fertiliser is used at the farm, supplied by YCT.