About the Coffee
In the highlands of Mangshi, Dehong, only fully ripe red coffee cherries grown between 1,300 and 1,500 meters are carefully handpicked during the harvest season. The processing is led by Olina – Caicai and her process team at a local washing station in Dehong, where every stage is carried out with precision and respect for the bean’s natural character.
After selection, the cherries are placed into anaerobic fermentation tanks, where a patented yeast strain is introduced to guide flavor development. The cherries ferment for 7 days at a controlled temperature of 20°C, allowing the yeast to interact gently with the natural sugars and enhance the coffee’s complexity.
Once fermentation is complete, the beans are thoroughly washed in fresh mountain water to remove any remaining mucilage. They are then sun-dried on raised beds for 15 to 30 days。
The coffee expresses a distinctive iris-like floral aroma, bright blueberry acidity, honey sweetness, and a refreshing lychee finish. The result is a coffee that reflects both the unique terroir of Yunnan and the dedication of Olina – Caicai’s team in every step of the process.
About
Yunyun Nannan
Project One Light Yunnan Coffee Plan - By YunYunNanNan
Project One Light (POL) is a specialised Yunnan coffee sourcing and processing initiative based in the heart of Yunnan. Founded in 2021 by Olina Cai (Yatong Cai), a local resident with more than five years of experience in the specialty tea and coffee sector, they are committed to bringing the distinct character of Yunnan coffee to the world.
Their team consists of local Q-graders, coffee processing specialists and experienced coffee traders. They operate with a strong belief in fair trade, placing the wellbeing of everyone in their supply chain at the forefront. Ethical practices, empowerment of producers, careful management of the growing environment and rigorous quality control ensure consistently high-quality cherries and safe, reliable processing.
A core part of their mission is the steady and sustainable improvement of Yunnan coffee quality, and they are driven by a desire to share this journey internationally.
This project is not only about sourcing exceptional coffee from Yunnan, it is about reshaping the future of the people and places behind it. At its heart is a commitment to empower individual farmers who have long produced outstanding coffee yet remained unseen in the global market. By spotlighting their craftsmanship and connecting them directly with higher-value buyers, the project helps them gain both the recognition and economic return they genuinely deserve.
At the same time, it serves as an exploration of Yunnan’s hidden gems, its remote villages, unique micro-terroirs, and lesser-known producers whose coffees have never had the platform to shine. Rather than focusing solely on established estates, the initiative actively seeks out overlooked regions and untapped potential, bringing new voices and flavours into the conversation.
Ultimately, this project aims to build a fairer, more diverse representation of Yunnan coffee, one that celebrates individual growers, uplifts rural communities, and uncovers the undiscovered excellence scattered across the province.
