.png)
Bernice Liu On Qi Coffee & the Rise of Cafe Culture in Hong Kong
- Faye Bradley
- 21 minutes ago
- 4 min read
INTERVIEW
In a city where coffee culture has evolved from a morning necessity into a lifestyle obsession, standing out in a crowded market is no easy feat. Yet for Bernice Liu, the founder of Qi Concepts, the opportunity wasn't about creating another coffee brand — it was about rethinking what ready-to-drink coffee could be. Frustrated by canned coffees laden with sugars, preservatives and hard-to-pronounce ingredients, she set out to create a cleaner alternative built around premium cold brew, sustained energy and functional wellness. From university coffee habits to entrepreneurial inspiration at INSEAD, her journey has been shaped by a longstanding appreciation for coffee's potential to do more than simply provide a caffeine hit. We caught up with her to discuss the origins of Qi Concepts, her favourite cafés in Hong Kong, and why she believes the future of coffee lies in simplicity.
What inspired you to launch Qi Concepts?
When you think about coffee, you might wonder: with so many options already on the market, why launch another coffee brand? The reality is that while there are countless choices, there wasn't one that truly met what I was looking for. I couldn't find a canned coffee that was convenient, clean, and free from unnecessary additives. Coffee is meant to be good for you, but once you add preservatives, stabilisers, sugars, and a long list of ingredients you can barely pronounce, it hardly feels like coffee anymore.
I also love hot coffee, but the irony is that heat can diminish some of the very things that make coffee beneficial, including certain antioxidants and nutrients. I wanted something that preserved the goodness of the bean while still fitting into a modern, busy lifestyle.
The idea for Qi Concepts really began while I was studying at INSEAD. As I explored entrepreneurial projects focused on solving everyday lifestyle challenges, coffee quickly emerged as one of them. I wanted to create a ready-to-drink coffee brand for people who need clean, sustained energy throughout demanding workdays. By combining premium cold brew with functional ingredients, we've created a shelf-stable coffee that delivers focus, convenience, and wellness in a single can.
Coffee is deeply embedded in people's daily routines. According to the National Coffee Association, the average coffee drinker consumes around three cups a day, 20 cups a week, and more than 1,000 cups a year. It's not just a beverage — it's a lifestyle.
When was your first proper coffee experience – one that changed the way you viewed coffee?
To be honest, I've been drinking coffee since my university days, so it's been a huge part of my life. Even my dogs were named after coffee!
And what is a "proper" coffee experience? Coffee was originally left overnight at room temperature to slowly drip and be enjoyed in the morning. That's the best way to experience the bean at its full potential: high but natural caffeine, and high antioxidant levels.
I think it was over 10 years ago when I really learned about that. Hot coffee as we know it smells amazing — walking past the many coffee shops around town, each with its own theme and ambience — but true, clean coffee is the cold brew or slow-drip, overnight kind.
You can heat it up if you want a hot coffee, but never to a boil. It should be round, not too acidic, with rich notes of nuts and cocoa, rather than being over-roasted. That's a mood setter.
Where are your top five cafes in Hong Kong and why?
Fineprint: they have a really good, simple, not-too-acidic, clean Americano, and are pretty consistent from one location to another.
Silver Lining Coffee Workshop: a great little place where you can eat healthily and enjoy good-quality coffee. Winner of the 2025 HK Cup Tasters Championship. If you are a pro-protein kind of person and often struggle to eat out while sticking to your healthy regime, check out this place.
Halfway Coffee: old-school feel with an imperfectly perfect atmosphere. Modern coffee shops are all over Hong Kong, so it's nice to have a couple of these types with lots of character, where you can find inspiration just by looking around and admiring the mismatched chairs, hanging plants, or the porcelain-printed to-go cups.
E N Central: a nice little place to catch up. Their coffee presentation is minimalist and classy. Your cup of coffee comes with an explanation card, which elevates the whole experience.
Elephant Grounds (Sheung Wan): because not only is the coffee good, but the snacks are yummy too! If you have nieces or nephews, or you yourself are a big kid, this is the perfect place. I'm sure you'll be able to find something for everyone.
What’s your favourite thing about coffee?
A good coffee is actually good for you, and knowing when to drink it to benefit your body is key. You can have it on its own, or even make blends or cocktails with it! I’m really liking it with coconut water at the moment for that extra electrolyte benefit!
What’s next for you?
Summer is here, and Qi Coffee Promotions are in full force. We have various events set up at City'Super where people can go and have a taste test, promo discounts, and also sponsoring events all the way until autumn. We also have a few collabs in the pipeline, so watch out for those!
Comments