227 China Yunnan Dehong Yeast Fermentation Honey

"Dehong"

Located in the southwestern frontier of China, this region is home to many ethnic minorities. Coffee cultivation in Yunnan Province is primarily concentrated around the basins of rivers such as the Nujiang (Salween River), Lancang River, Honghe River, and Jinsha River, in tropical areas at altitudes ranging from approximately 800 to 1,800 meters. The region's terrain is generally complex, with significant temperature variations between day and night, and a diverse climate. (When I looked into the climate classification, I found that the northern part of the region has a temperate climate, the southern part has a tropical climate, and the area in between has a subtropical climate—it's truly intricate.)

The Dehong region is situated in the northern part of Yunnan Province and falls under the southern subtropical rainforest climate. While it has traditionally been known as a producer of commodity coffee (used in products such as instant coffee), in recent years, the production of specialty coffee has also begun.

This coffee is produced in collaboration with the Dehong Tropical Crop Research Institute using a honey process that incorporates a specialized coffee yeast. The Dehong Tropical Crop Research Institute focuses on coffee varietal improvement, seedling cultivation, and process research, significantly contributing to the development of Yunnan's coffee industry.

In this honey process, fully ripe coffee cherries are first harvested and washed, after which the pulp is removed. The parchment coffee, with mucilage still attached, is placed in a water-filled tank along with the removed pulp, and specialized coffee yeast is then added. The mixture undergoes fermentation for 150 hours before moving on to the drying stage. Although the fermentation process itself remains unchanged from last year, this year’s batch involved more meticulous selection of cherries to enhance quality. 

Building on last year's roasting profile, we paid special attention to this year's slightly lower moisture content of 9.6% during the green beans. To highlight the vibrant fruit flavors derived from the processing method, we opted for a light roast, finishing with a total roasting time of just over 9 minutes.

As soon as you open the bag, you'll be greeted by the familiar lychee-like aroma once again this year. The flavor evokes the freshness of fruits like lychee and white peach. The aftertaste is reminiscent of a gentle tea-like finish, making it smooth and easy to drink without being overpowering. It’s a vibrant yet calming flavor. Additionally, the texture has improved compared to last year, offering a smoother and more polished mouthfeel. (The impact of the more precise cherry selection is evident here!)

Yunnan coffee continues to improve in quality year by year through close collaboration with the farm and ongoing process research. This is a cup that makes you excited to see how it will evolve in the future.