SURPRISE COFFEE interior

A symphony of coffee cups (Vessels that whisper stories with every sip)

A half-open black door adorned with gold-lettered signage and stained-glass reflections invites passersby into a world where nostalgia and elegance converge. Inside, the scent of fresh flowers mingles with the rich aroma of coffee, setting the stage for an enchanting escape at SURPRISE COFFEE. Here, owner Xueli (a pseudonym) has woven her connection with Pingtan into a dreamscape of Nanyang tiles and glass-paneled windows, where every sip of coffee carries an unexpected delight.

A Name Born from a Moment of Serendipity

SURPRISE COFFEE exterior

"Good names come when you least expect them," a friend once said to Xueli as she struggled to name her café. She wanted to create a space of effortless beauty—a place where travelers and coffee lovers could stumble in on a lazy afternoon, drawn by the fragrance of freshly brewed coffee and blooming flowers. Then, like a sugar cube dissolving in espresso, it clicked!

"That's it!" she exclaimed, eyes gleaming. "Unintentional—so fitting. And in English, we'll call it 'Surprise'—because the best things happen when you least expect them."

Within just two months of its soft opening, SURPRISE COFFEE became a favorite retreat for coffee lovers and travelers. Women sat by the window, clicking on the shutter and trading stories of their island adventures.

"Every corner of this place feels like a scene from an old film," said Miss Zheng, a visitor from Hangzhou. Holding a delicate coffee cup, she marveled at the café's extensive collection. "Each coffee is served in a unique cup, carefully chosen to match its flavor. It's as if the cup itself completes the experience."

Xueli has more plans in store. As the weather warms, she envisions roses climbing the café's facade, fragrant jasmine filling the air, and lemon and citrus trees bearing fruit in the front garden. Near the vibrant orange wall at the entrance, a cascading display of bougainvillea will bloom. "They grow like waterfalls—stunning yet so easy to care for," she explained with a smile.

An Alchemy of Flavors in Every Cup

Caramel Orange Peel Latte

SURPRISE COFFEE is more than just a charming space—it's a laboratory of flavors where coffee tells a story. The baristas continuously experiment, crafting blends that evoke nostalgia, warmth, and adventure.

"This Dark Blue espresso blend is like the sweetness of a first love," said Xiaoxiong, a barista, as she expertly ground coffee beans. "First, you taste the richness of nuts and chocolate, then the smooth coffee oils, and finally a silky finish of toffee, like the scent of roasted chestnuts in autumn."

The beans, sourced from Arabica and Yunnan coffee farms, undergo a delicate balance of sun-drying and washing before being medium-dark roasted to perfection. "This blend is all about harmony—balancing the oils and acidity so that every sip feels like comfort in a cup," Xiaoxiong added.

Another specialty, the Toffee Coffee, offers a taste of summer sweetness.

"Imagine running through an orchard and catching a whiff of ripe blood oranges, berries, and honey," she said while brewing. "It even has a subtle whiff of red wine—like a jazz tune lingering on your palate." The beans, sourced from Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea, produce a crisp citrus acidity that melds beautifully with floral and fruity undertones.

A more inventive creation is the Genmai Thick Milk Latte, a fusion of tradition and modern coffee artistry.

"We steep and roast whole brown rice until it releases a toasty fragrance, then blend it with tea and espresso," Xiaoxiong explained, sliding a steaming cup across the counter. The result is a drink reminiscent of home-cooked warmth—where the grain aroma of roasted grains intertwines with the boldness of coffee.

Artistry in Glass and Wood

Stained glass featuring a girl in a flower skirt with flowing hair, full of vitality

"Every detail you see in this Café—I handpicked it myself," Xueli said, revealing her meticulous eye for aesthetics.

Vaulted arch ceilings reminiscent of 19th-century French design frame the space, while dark wooden tables and deep green chairs create an intimate, cozy ambiance. Flowers spill from vases across the room, refreshed every few days to keep the space alive with color. From fiery-hued roses to delicate snow willow and lush monstera leaves, each plant contributes to the café's ever-changing atmosphere-a rebellion against monotony.

But the true masterpiece is the stained glass that bathes the café in a kaleidoscope of light.

"The entrance door was my biggest labor of love," Xueli shared. "I sketched it by hand, down to the last detail." Embedded within the glass, a coffee tree flourishes, its branches heavy with ripe beans. When sunlight filters through, it casts an ethereal glow, as if transporting visitors into a tropical rainforest.

Each of the three stained-glass panels tells a different story. The grand entrance features the coffee tree; a smaller doorway leading upstairs is adorned with a single, resplendent red rose; and beneath a crystal chandelier, a young woman with flowing curls and a vibrant floral dress comes to life in hues of golden light.

"When I held up the finished glass panels to the sun, the way the light danced on my hands felt like a blessing," Xueli said softly. "I want this place to be filled with life. No matter the storms, we must keep blooming."

At SURPRISE COFFEE, serendipitous encounters unfold—a chance reunion with an old friend, an unexpected phrase in a book that lingers in thought, or simply the quiet joy of sitting beneath a stained-glass window as the afternoon sun filters through. And so, Xueli remains, crafting a world of warmth and beauty, one cup of coffee at a time.