The 9th China-South Asia Expo in Kunming, Yunnan province of the Chinese mainland, has become ground zero for the latest in coffee innovation. At the Coffee Industry Pavilion, roasters and coffee entrepreneurs from around the world converged to showcase a kaleidoscope of beans, brews and bold ideas.
Amid the sea of options, one drink stole the spotlight: the viral "Jianshouqing Dirty."
Inspired by Yunnan's famous Jianshouqing mushroom—long prized for its earthy, umami-rich profile—this brew layers a concentrated mushroom infusion beneath a shot of specialty espresso, creating a "dirty" effect as the two streams intertwine. The result? A multi-dimensional cup that marries bright acidity with deep, savory undertones and a whisper of smoke.
CGTN's Wu Yunliu dug into the trend, sampling variations from lattes to cold brews. Each pour reveals unique flavor layers: a tangy first sip, followed by mushroom-driven depth, and a clean, lingering finish that highlights Yunnan's high-altitude terroir.
Beyond the gimmick, this fusion spotlights Yunnan's emerging coffee culture. Once overshadowed by tea, the province is now carving out its own "coffee code": a link between ancient foraging traditions and modern specialty roasting. Here, farmers, roasters and baristas collaborate to elevate local beans—cultivated on mist-kissed slopes—to the palates of global coffee lovers.
"Jianshouqing Dirty is more than a novelty," says one barista at the pavilion. "It's proof that innovation thrives when we embrace our heritage."
As Yunnan's homegrown coffee gains steam, the expo buzz suggests the next wave of global coffee trends might just trace back to these mountainous landscapes. Whether you're a bean geek, a curious traveler or a digital nomad chasing your next caffeinated inspiration, the flavor-packed Coffee Industry Pavilion has plenty to sip on.
Reference(s):
'Dirty' coffee inspired by toxic mushroom wows at China-South Asia Expo
cgtn.com
