China embraces coffee culture more than the coffee

By Lucy Hornby

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Jessie Tang has noticed a difference between her Chinese customers and others who patronize the Coffee Hill stand in a Shanghai office building.

"Foreigners buy coffee to carry away in the morning, but Chinese like to drink it socially," said the manager of one of Shanghai Summit Coffee Co.'s five shops. "They prefer to drink at the tables here, usually as part of a business meeting or if they are waiting for someone."

The industry's dream of 1.3 billion Chinese starting their morning with a cup of coffee may never come true. But urban China's acceptance of the coffee shop as a place to meet is likely to drive a growing appreciation for the black brew.

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