Grid Coffee, connoisseur bring tasting event to Beijing, Chengdu

In May, coffee brand Grid Coffee is joining forces with world-renowned barista Esther Maasdam to bring an exclusive one-week tasting event to Beijing and Chengdu, Sichuan province.

The collaboration showcased four carefully selected specialty coffee beans, offering Chinese coffee lovers a rare opportunity to explore distinctive flavor profiles guided by one of the industry's top talents.

Maasdam is the co-founder of Manhattan Coffee Roasters based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. She is a multi-award-winning barista champion, holding titles such as Dutch Latte Art Champion for four consecutive years and achieved 5th place in the World Latte Art Championships in 2013.

Known for her expertise and creativity, Maasdam brings a global perspective to coffee culture. Beyond her technical skills, she is also a vocal advocate for gender equity in the coffee industry, championing the representation of women at every level.

"What keeps me passionate about coffee is easy — it is the people that are part of this industry and community," Maasdam said. "Being able to share this passion with so many different people from across the world, I hope it can be a tool to bring people with different cultures and beliefs closer together. We got friends all over the world, before you have even met."

For the event, Maasdam collaborated with Grid Coffee to select four standout beans. Among them was Brooklyn, a signature MCR offering. This blend features 10 percent Panama Santa Teresa Geisha, prized for its floral and fruity complexity.

With bright notes of honeyed orange and the rich sweetness of praline, Brooklyn strikes a balance between the bold depth of Brazilian coffee and the refined elegance of Geisha.

Another highlight was Ethiopia Shakiso, sourced from the high-altitude Shakiso estate at 2,173 meters. The coffee delivers a vibrant sensory experience, with candied berry notes mingling with fresh strawberry juice, and a clean finish accented by the subtle sweetness of rock sugar.