Introduction:In the historic and artistic old neighborhood of Dongshankou in Guangzhou, there is a specialty coffee shop that has been roasting its own beans for six years. This is not just a place that sells coffee beans—it’s also where many coffee beginners get their start with single origins and practice pour over. This article will introduce how this shop promotes specialty coffee culture through hands-on sharing, and recommend several everyday-drinking and practice-friendly beans, from Mandheling to Yunnan small beans, helping you find one that suits your taste best.

Nestled in Guangzhou's Dongshankou district, a certain specialty coffee shop has quietly passed its sixth year and is one of the few local specialty shops that still roast their own beans. This is not just a shop that sells coffee beans, but a space that emphasizes the sharing of coffee knowledge and hands-on experience. Over the years, the shop has been dedicated to explaining the characteristics of different regions, varieties, and processing methods to coffee enthusiasts, helping many step into the world of specialty coffee.

As one of Guangzhou’s cultural landmarks, Dongshankou blends a historical background interwoven with Chinese and Western cultures. It retains many Western-style buildings from the last century, with red-brick colonial houses exuding a nostalgic charm, attracting photography enthusiasts and hipsters alike. A certain specialty coffee shop is tucked away in such a neighborhood, and with its simple yet unique style, it has become a gathering spot for many coffee novices and enthusiasts.

Since its inception, a certain specialty coffee shop has focused on selling roasted beans and home roasting. In an era when specialty coffee was not yet widely popular in China, the shop was already promoting single origin beans and sharing the flavor profiles and brewing suggestions of different coffees based on actual roasting and tasting experiences. It’s common to see staff testing bean batches, adjusting roast profiles, and documenting each trial even when there are no customers—this spirit of practice is also a key reason why the shop has remained steadily operational to this day.

For those who are new to specialty coffee, the shop’s everyday beans series offers highly cost-effective entry options. These beans are carefully selected and suitable for daily pour over practice or exploring the flavors of different regions. If you prefer a rich and full-bodied taste, you can go for the shop’s Indonesian Mandheling, which features distinct notes of spices and herbs; if you lean toward bright and crisp acidity, try the shop’s Yirgacheffe, with its memorable floral and lemony tones.

If you prefer nutty and creamy smoothness, the shop’s Brazilian Cerrado is a great choice, with its mild flavor perfect for everyday drinking; for those wanting to experience intense dark chocolate notes, the shop’s Colombian Huila is a solid pick, offering richness with a hint of caramel sweetness. Additionally, the shop’s Yunnan small beans showcase the potential of locally grown beans, with soft acidity and nutty aromas; if you prefer balanced profiles, the shop’s Costa Rica Tarrazú is also a bean worth trying.

All these everyday beans are single origin coffees, ideal for brewing via pour over to fully highlight the unique flavors of each region. The shop’s roasting style emphasizes balance, focusing on how the beans perform after roasting rather than chasing overly dark roasts, thereby preserving the nuances of original flavors. All everyday beans are shipped within 24 hours of order placement and guaranteed to be from a fresh batch roasted within the last five days—ensuring you receive beans at their peak flavor.

For beginners, choosing the right beans and appropriate extraction parameters is key to enjoying the pleasure of pour over. It’s recommended that newcomers start with medium to light roast beans, such as Yirgacheffe or Colombian Huila, using a pour over kettle with water temperature around 90–93°C and a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:15 to 1:16, gradually practicing grind size and water flow control. Through continuous experimentation and record-keeping, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the unique character of each bean.

A certain specialty coffee shop is not just about selling beans, but also a platform that accompanies coffee lovers on their journey of growth. Six years of dedication have made this small shop in Dongshankou an important stop for many on their specialty coffee path. If you’re looking for a coffee bean suitable for daily practice or tasting, start with the shop’s everyday series and find your perfect cup.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.