Nestled along Huaxin Road, the 32/How Café is often underestimated. But those in the know say it's the place to taste the city's best coffee.

The exterior of the 32/How Café on Huaxin Road, Xiamen city. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Unlike its upscale competitors, the café encourages customers to explore various cultures through its different flavors.

The philosophy matches that of Xiamen, which has been dubbed a heaven for young creative types. And it starts with 32/How Café, a 57-year-old two-story villa composed of multiple themed zones including a medieval-style coffee hall, an ancient Chinese study room, a wine-tasting room and an arts exhibition zone.

Miss Cherry, the café’s founder, always advocates her "Taste of a Territory" philosophy, saying a coffee’s taste depends on the climate, earth and traditions of its place of origin.

She also says that black coffee – no milk or sugar – is the best way to "taste its soul".

Cherry’s way of coffee appealed to Xu Weining, who decided to join the cause six years ago and became a barista assistant at the café.

Xu Weining, an assistant barista, demonstrates the art of coffee making at the 32/How Café on Huaxin Road, Xiamen city. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Xu said she quickly fell in love with the job of grinding, roasting and boiling coffee beans.

Every step of coffee-making matters, says Xu. The best boiling temperature is between 92 and 96 degrees Celsius, and the time it’s boiled should not exceed one minute.

Boiling coffee doesn’t seem very hard. But the timing is difficult, and it requires experience. Xu spent hours repeating the process at the beginning.

Miss Cherry also asks her employees to learn about the culture each coffee originates from so they can pass that on to the customers.

Now a solid barista, Xu said she plans to work in the field of coffee for at least the next ten years, possibly for life.

Location: No.32, Xinhua Rd, Simin District

Tel: 0592-2916511 0592-2264040 (Reservation for foreigners)