On May 16, 2026, the 10K Tastes Global Tasting Event arrived in Shenzhen at Douwu Coffee Longhua Main Shop, hosted by none other than Master Long (Cao Huolong) – a name that resonates deeply within China’s specialty coffee scene. This event was more than just a tasting; it was a meeting of minds, a celebration of two decades of coffee craftsmanship, and a powerful validation of the STARESSO D9+ Flavor Matrix philosophy.
Master Long: The Pioneer Who Grew with Chinese Specialty Coffee
In Shenzhen’s boutique coffee circle, Master Long is not just a roaster or a café owner – he is a legend. A titan, an elder brother, and a spiritual benchmark for an entire generation of coffee professionals. For over 20 years, he has dedicated himself to the pursuit of a clean, pure cup of coffee, quietly accompanying China’s specialty coffee industry as it grew, transformed, and matured.
In 2009, Master Long founded Douwu Coffee, one of Shenzhen’s first specialty coffee pioneers. For 17 years, his exploration of coffee has never stopped. His expertise spans the entire coffee value chain: from cultivating coffee seedlings and sourcing green beans (including his own estates in Yunnan, China, and Indonesia), to in-house roasting, café operations, coffee education, and even organizing industry competitions. To ensure quality at the source, Master Long established dedicated coffee farms and processing facilities in Pu’er, Yunnan, and Indonesia. He also brought top beans like Panama La Esmeralda Geisha directly from international auction floors to the everyday consumer’s cup, breaking down the barrier that “top-tier coffee is unattainable.”
Why the STARESSO D9+ Resonates with a Coffee Legend
For years, Master Long had been researching the relationship between burr geometry and coffee flavor expression. He dreamed of designing a manual grinder that would allow coffee lovers to easily swap burr sets and explore different flavor profiles. However, he was repeatedly frustrated by the complex, tool‑dependent disassembly required by traditional grinders.
Then he discovered the STARESSO D9+ Flavor Matrix. The technology – especially the SwiftClean system that enables tool‑free, 2‑second burr changes – immediately spoke to him. Even more exciting was the alignment of philosophies: specialty coffee should not be a high‑cold luxury. It should be as warm and approachable as the neighborhood grocery store. Master Long and STARESSO share the belief that great flavor should be accessible to everyone, and that the ability to unlock different taste dimensions from the same bean is the true value of specialty coffee.
The Event: A Flavor Journey Guided by a Master
On the afternoon of May 16, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, coffee lovers gathered at Douwu Coffee Longhua Main Shop. Master Long personally led the session, systematically introducing the coffee flavor system and offering hands‑on experience with the STARESSO D9+ Flavor Matrix.
The agenda was designed for both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts:
1. Sensory Calibration – Devil Water Training
Participants started with a “Devil Water” exercise – a series of diluted reference solutions that help reset and sharpen the palate. This foundational step ensured that every subsequent tasting would be accurate and meaningful, even for complete novices.
2. Three‑Burr Cupping Tasting
Three representative coffee beans (each with distinct origin and processing characteristics) were ground with the three D9+ burr sets: Clean, Balance, and Rich. Master Long walked the group through dry aroma, wet aroma, and flavor evaluation, teaching the participants how to articulate what they were sensing. The cupping table became a classroom, and every attendee left with a new understanding of how grind geometry influences the cup.
3. Three‑Burr Brewing Comparison – Washed Geisha
The highlight of the afternoon was a live brew comparison using Master Long’s own hand‑roasted Washed Geisha – a coffee known for its delicate floral and jasmine notes. Using the same beans and the same pour‑over method, Master Long ground the coffee with each of the three burr sets. Participants received 50ml mini tasting cups and sampled the three brews side by side.
The difference was unmistakable:
Clean burr: Intense tropical fruit, heavier mouthfeel, and a lingering dark chocolate note.
Balance burr: Rounded sweetness, honeyed body, and a longer finish.
Rich burr: Bright jasmine, citrus zest, and tea‑like clarity.
Many attendees were amazed that the same grinder, same coffee, same recipe could produce such distinctly different flavor experiences simply by changing the burrs. One participant noted: “I used to think my grinder was just for particle size. Now I see it as a flavor tool.”
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
Master Long’s endorsement of the STARESSO D9+ is not just professional – it is personal. For years, he dreamed of creating a grinder that would let coffee lovers easily explore flavor variations. The D9+ made that dream a reality. And by partnering with STARESSO, Master Long is now helping bring that same spirit of exploration to coffee enthusiasts across Shenzhen and beyond.
AsMaster Long said during the event: *“Specialty coffee should never feel like a luxury for the elite. It should be as warm and familiar as your neighborhood grocery store. The STARESSO D9+ helps us deliver that – it puts the power of flavor into everyone’s hands.”*
What’s Next for the 10K Tastes Global Series?
The Shenzhen stop was another milestone in STARESSO’s ongoing 10K Tastes Global Tasting Event. From Seattle to Guangzhou, from Foshan to Shenzhen – and soon to Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, and more cities around the world – we are building a community of flavor explorers. Each event partners with local coffee icons who share our belief that manual grinding should be a gateway to discovery, not a chore.
If you missed the Shenzhen event, don’t worry. More are coming. Follow STARESSO on Instagram, Facebook, and Xiaohongshu for updates. And if you want to start your own flavor journey today, the STARESSO D9+ Flavor Matrix is available on our online store.
