STiR coffee and tea magazine

56 STiR coffee and tea / Issue 5, 2017 (October / November) Two Gems of Beijing's Independent Coffee Scene A decade ago an independent café selling specialty coffee found it difficult to even obtain quality beans from major producing countries. Fast forward and there are now a handful of specialty shops with a decent selection of beans ― many now roast up to 15 origins in-house. By Si Chen BEIJING, China Fan Yang manages the 'Me & Temple of Earth' café. She is a delicate woman with a sweet youthful voice that contrasts the cool, industrial tone the building presents. The café is a part of a multi- purpose complex located just outside of the Temple of Earth near Ditan park in Beijing's East district. The main building houses an avant-garde auto body shop. The café is located in a tiny corner of the complex, which led to its English name - The Corner. The Chinese name is more revealing. Shi Tiesheng, one of the most distinguished modern authors, serves as inspiration. Shi wrote an essay titled Me & Temple of Earth, reminiscing about about old Beijing, weaving an inner dialogue on the topics of loss, the meaning and life, and death. Temple of Earth owner Tian Bu, is a Beijing native who owns the adjacent garage and body shop. "I hope this place, with a modern appearance, can re-kindle people's passion for literature and the quest to lead a meaningful life," he said. There are several quotes from Shi subtly hidden around the bar area. You need to look closely to see them. Bu's favorite: "In a suffocatingly-dense metropoli- tan, a tranquil place where you could park yourself for a while seems like a God's intent." Specialty coffees sell for RMB27. A single pull espresso is RMB 17 or RMB 19 for a double. Americanos sell for RMB21. A no frills menu includes cookies, muffins, tiramisu, and biscotti. Specialty coffee consumers in Beijing are generally attracted by the unique, sometimes ec- centric design common to independent cafes. It is rare to see people talking in a café in Beijing. The casual, community chats over coffee so common in the west depends on a sufficiently large number of cafés adapted to neighborhoods. In some shops you do see people sitting on a big couch start to talk to each other. The idea of a 'third space', that is, a public space other than home and work where people can relax and read/write, is a new concept in China. Chinese traditionally gather for meals to talk. Teahouses are strictly reserved for a business occasions rather than pleasure. Spe- cialty coffee clientele can be described in four words: young, female, white-collar, interested in lifestyle. Art-oriented city dwellers love to meet like-minded people in places that they identify themselves with, and independent cafes serve this function. Unintendedly, Me & Temple of Earth won its first batch of loyal customers from architects and designers. Many have good connection with media or themselves have a sufficiently handsome fan base. Fan told us over an embarrassing smile that con- sumers have been taking selfies here. Some- times they get too comfortable, she says. Good coffee is an add-on, rather than a defining factor yet, due to the majority is still relatively unfamiliar with specialty coffee – no loyalty yet. Chinese gently progress in the world of coffee: back in the 1960s, it was only a handful that had the opportunity to taste instant coffee. Only for those whose work in- volves an international element got to have this exotic beverage. Instant coffee became available in the supermarkets in the 1990s, going for Starbucks's coffee was considered to be chic. And just about 10 years ago a small circle of elite coffee drinkers started to ask for specialty coffee. "The ratio for customers' or- der is 1:2 for drip coffee and expresso drinks," said Fan, given that most people are familiar with expresso drinks from mainstream fran- chise cafes. Located: 8B Hepingli Nanjie Xikou, Dongcheng District 和平里南街西口甲8号B+汽车服务 体中心西 Photos by Pedro Pegenaute Fan Yang, left with Si Chen The Corner appeals to younger art-oriented city dwellers, people who are comfortable starting conversa- tions with strangers The first floor projects a minimalistic living room setting. Cool-toned furnishings are arranged to stablish a distance sufficient to drink alone but close enough to invite conversations with other customers. A soundtrack provides quiet back- ground music punctuated by the baristas' murmur. Me & Temple of Earth café (The Corner)

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