When it comes to premium coffee in China, most think of Yunnan's high-altitude regions. Today, however, Arabica coffee meeting SCA international standards is being cultivated at low altitudes beneath Zhanjiang's eucalyptus forests.
This breakthrough follows eight years of research by the Chinese Academy of Forestry's Institute of Fast-growing Trees, which developed a multi-layered forest ecosystem that transforms a monoculture plantation into a "green gold mine" that sequesters carbon and generates economic value.
Eucalyptus and coffee trees.
Coffee flowers
The team reduced eucalyptus planting density and controlled understory light, temperature, and humidity to create a favorable environment for coffee. After years of screening, they selected two Arabica varieties for local cultivation. Now in peak production, the coffee yields 650 kilograms of fresh fruit per mu (0.16 acres), with beans meeting SCA standards.
In the past, this land relied solely on timber that took years to mature. Now, coffee alone generates an additional 6,000 yuan for 0.16 acres annually. Ecological benefits are equally significant, with improved soil, water conservation, and carbon storage.
Over 90% of the workers are from surrounding villages, mastering intercropping techniques under the team's guidance—a replicable model for low-altitude regions. The team is also developing coffee flower tea, cascara, and specialty fermented coffee using local fruits, while exploring value-added processing for understory mushrooms and medicinal herbs.
Reporter & Photo | Lin Riqing
Revised by Wei Shen
