It’s a taste you can feel on your tongue—A 24-year-old girl insists on selling “great coffee for just a few coins”

Reported and photographed by Reporter Chen Zi-Yin / Taipei

Monday marks the start of the workweek for many office workers, and it’s common for them to grab a cup of coffee—to wake up their minds and shift their moods. But what exactly makes a good cup of coffee? Everyone may have a different definition and preference when it comes to the value of a coffee.

“I believe a great coffee is one that offers more than its price!” said Luo Yinpei, a 24-year-old who spoke with certainty. Looking more like a college student, it’s hard to imagine that this young woman, unless you see her managing the shop, already owns her own café—and one with a series of “convictions.”


▲ Although it has only been open for three months, “Samba Estate Premium Coffee” has already attracted many loyal customers among office workers, thanks to its affordably priced coffee that embodies Luo’s commitment to “more value for money.”

Luo Yinpei applies her concept of “great value coffee” to every drink in the store, including chocolate, fruit tea, milk tea, and more. At first glance, many might assume that the word “premium” implies high-end and expensive—but according to the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), specialty coffee is defined as: “high-quality coffee beans grown in ideal climates.” Luo insists on using such beans, allowing customers at “Samba Estate Premium Coffee” to enjoy a “specialty coffee” for just a few coins.

Luo Yinpei, who initially knew nothing about coffee, was inspired to open a café after tasting a “fruit-aroma coffee” that she found incredibly delicious. She then sought guidance from coffee experts, and even before opening the shop, she tested around 100 kilograms of coffee beans to perfect the ideal blend. It’s this perseverance that has helped Samba Estate gain a loyal customer base within just three months of opening. Luo happily says, “I’ve always believed that if you put your heart into it, customers will notice the difference in our coffee—because it’s something you can feel on your tongue.” Her self-developed “fruit-aroma coffee”—Blackberry Coffee—has become the store’s signature drink.

The coffee at the shop avoids heavy roasting and opts for light roasting instead. Luo says that because she has full confidence in the beans she selects, she wants customers to taste the most fundamental and original aroma of the beans, then create layers of flavor through varying proportions.


▲ Each cup of coffee at Samba Estate offers a unique layered taste. Pictured here is a cappuccino for just 60 NT dollars.


▲ The Tiramisu-flavored coffee tastes sweet but not overly so, never overpowering the original coffee aroma.

 
▲ Left: The shop’s chocolate drinks combine the “Musetti” brand of chocolate with milk in perfect harmony. Right: The fruit tea is sourced fresh daily from local fruit shops and is made with 100% real fruit—simply described as fresh and delicious.

Understanding the needs of office workers who want “grab-and-go coffee,” Luo Yinpei was determined from the start to run a takeout-focused coffee shop. But takeout coffee poses more challenges than sit-in coffee—such as how to prepare coffee that won’t lose its flavor if not consumed immediately, or how to handle customers who might prefer their takeout coffee extra hot, though overheating can affect the taste. Luo researched and experimented with all of these issues.

 
▲ A variety of latte art designs were specially learned by barista Luo Lisheng.


▲ Luo Lisheng in the middle of creating latte art—even the takeout coffee doesn’t skip this step.

 
▲ Left: Using the most heat-resistant Type 5 lids shows Luo Yinpei’s attention to detail for her customers. Right: The young and beautiful Luo Yinpei shows remarkable perseverance—her “great value” coffee has truly won customers’ hearts.


▲ The store’s artwork, reminiscent of Picasso’s style, adds vibrant and lively colors to the small space.

The coffee Luo Yinpei sells isn’t just delicious—it’s coffee poured cup by cup without fussing over high profits, along with an unwavering dedication to the brand’s spirit from start to finish. If you’re in the area near Nanjing East Road, don’t miss out on this “great value” coffee that costs just a few dozen NT dollars.


▲ What you get for great value isn’t just a “premium coffee,” but also a whole day of relaxed and pleasant mood.

[Samba Estate Premium Coffee]
Address: No. 33, Lane 123, Section 5, Nanjing East Road, Songshan District, Taipei City
Phone: (02) 2761-9767
Business Hours: Daily from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM