The List: Green Shopping In Beijing

Expats in Beijing are reminded endlessly that one week of filling our lungs with this fine city’s air equates to smoking hundreds of cigarettes, or something like that. Pessimists will tell you that trying to save yourself with a diet of organic products is futile. While they wait to choke, stock up on fertilizer-free food and other organic products at these stores. All of the following shops are certified by domestic or international institutions, but clearly standards of what qualifies as “organic” may vary; we recommend making your own inquiries if you have doubts.

Beyond Organic Foods
Satisfy your taste buds while looking after your health. You’ll find lots of tasty snacks made from organic, additive-free products in this store. Try the organic grape raisins (RMB 25 for 350g) or Xinjiang jujubes (RMB 46/400g). Daily 9am-6pm. 5B16, Huajie Bldg, 13 Dazhongsi, Haidian District. (6213 3329) 博扬有机食品专卖店, 海淀区大钟寺13号华杰大厦5B16 (近13号线大钟寺站)

China Green
Over 100 kinds of products, including some shipped from overseas, are on sale in this green food store. Daily 9am-9m. 11 Majiapu Xilu, Fengtai District. (8470 3954) 中国绿色食品实业有限公司, 丰台区马家堡西路11

Ecohome
Healthy eating is only the foundation of good living. Ecohome gives you everything else you need to paint your life a new shade of green. Their stock includes towels, T-shirts and bed linen, all made from organic cotton – a tonic for people who suffer from skin allergies, and comfortable for the rest of us too. Daily 10am-10pm. B126, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6587 1290) 生态家纯天然生活品店, 朝阳区光华路9号世贸天阶B126号

Green Dot Dot
Walking into this little store feels like standing under a green tree. Regularly offers discounts and promotions. Daily 9am-9pm. B-12, Ginza Mall, 48 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District. (8454 9297/9289) 点点绿有机食品商店, 东城区东直门外大街48号东方银座B-12 (近东直门地铁C口)

Lohao City Organic Shop
The acronymic name-cum-motto means “Lifestyle Of Health And Organic.” Clever. Fresh products such as yogurt, bread and fruit juice are replenished daily. Prices are reasonable compared to some of the city’s other organic food stores. 1) Daily 9am-10pm. 29 Lucky Street, Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5867 0265); 2) Daily 8am-10pm. Rm 103, Bldg 15, China
Central Apartments, 6A Xidawang Lu, Chaoyang District. (8459 4332) www.lohaocity.com 乐活城, 1) 朝阳区朝阳公园路好运街29号; 2) 朝阳区西大望路甲6号华贸公寓15号楼103

Organic and Beyond
This brand doesn’t have a store in the city. Instead, its products are all available to order by phone or online. Login to the website to see the full product list, which includes milk, grains, eggs and fruits. All products are produced in Organic and Beyond’s own quality-controlled farms. They also offer farm visits and vegetable picking. (purchases: 400 650 1001, zhangxiaoer@organicandbeyond.cn; farm visits: 6460 8999 ext 803/815) www.organicandbeyond.cn/en

Organic Chateau
A Taiwan-based organic foods store. All products are produced in and imported from the island. Its grain powder is popular among young female customers. 1) Mon-Thu 11am-9.30pm, Fri-Sun 11am-10pm. SMM-K28, Solana Shopping Mall, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. 2) Daily 10am-10pm. B1/F, Shin Kong Place, 87 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. 有机厨坊, 1) 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾商业区SMM-K28号; 2) 朝阳区建国路87号新光天地地下1层

Organic Farm
Stocks various organic goods, including Organic Farm’s own line of products and a selection of foreign imports. Fresh vegetables, breads, organic wine and cosmetics are among the recommended buys. Organic Farm is one of the founders of the “Chinese Green Food” project. Daily 9am-10pm. Next to Watsons, 1/F, Palm Spring Plaza, Chaoyang Park South Gate, Chaoyang District. (6539 7462) 欧阁有机农庄, 朝阳区朝阳公园南门棕榈泉生活广场1层

Wuyutai
Tea can be organic too. China’s leading tea store, Wuyutai, has launched its own range of organic teas. These have been well-received by customers and are growing in popularity. Compare the organic variety of Tieguanyin (RMB 98/box) with the regular brew and make your own assessment. 1) Daily 8am-8pm. 297 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District. (6401 4190); 2) Daily 8.30am-9pm. 186 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6525 4961) www.wuyutai.com 吴裕泰, 1) 东城区鼓楼东大街297号; 2) 东城区王府井大街186号

WellFull
Offers gift boxes for organic fanatics. One extreme example is the store’s “pork” gift box (currently around RMB 300), which includes four different types of organic pork. Mmm, tasty. Gift boxes must be reserved in advance. Daily 9am-6pm. Rm 1203, Bldg D, Rome Garden, 18 Huixin Xijie, Chaoyang District. (6491 8887) www.worldfood.net.cn 五丰行食品有限公司, 朝阳区惠新西街18号罗马花园D座1203