First Glance: High Altitude Coffee

Opening a new business requires the embodiment of many characteristics: A savvy know-how attitude, genuine belief in your product, and above all else an intuition that extends beyond a ‘sixth sense’. James Jiang at High Altitude Coffee is one individual who possesses all of these qualities in abundance.

Walking in to the small two-storey building I was posed the question “looking for some food, or a drink?” Still being mid-morning, my badly stifled yawn gave away the answer, and James swiftly brought out a decent sized pour-over set-up while suggesting from the specialty board the Costa Rica coffee (RMB 33). With expert precision he cleaned the stainless steel jug, measured out beans, ground them, and poured hot water over the fresh powder with the delicateness of a gardener tending to their prized flower. My taste buds were delighted in being carried away from the smog of Beijing, to the home of the fresh and vibrant Caribbean coast in what felt like mere seconds.

With fifteen years of tutoring in Denmark, studying all about the nuances of coffee, James certainly shows a passion for caffeine unrivaled in other coffee houses. His passions are also mirrored in his wife, who supplies the store with home-baking delights like cheesecake and carrot cake (RMB 25 per slice). The carrot cake was dense and chunky with a good balance of nuts and carrot slivers in between the moist cake.

On one side of the coffee house the old walls of Beijing past dominate with their calming grey tone. Asked why he kept it, James said, “I kept the wall because it reminds me of the real world, not the movie playing outside.” He enjoys remembering the realness of things, and it shows in his coffee appreciation. His top-shelf choice, Hachira coffee, (RMB 220) should be enjoyed in a small group of three or four, with a guarantee of “once you try it, you will never forget it.” I’ll need to rustle up some coffee fiends, and go back for a try. The shelf behind is decorated with quirky ceramic pieces made by an artist friend, another salute to the idea of realness and appreciation of good quality products.

James is also well aware of his environment – he has Bibimbap (RMB 40) on the menu as many Koreans live close by, and pointing out the window and he informs me that a quality bar called Cu Ju is right around the corner.

For having been open only two months, High Altitude Coffee is sure to rise to an unprecedented level of popularity, mostly because James’s business plan is nicely summed up in that he aims to “do the coffee business right”. 

High Altitude Coffee
Daily 9am-midnight. 84-1 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng District (5363 6287)