Have you ever heard a “slurp” sound in a coffee shop, or seen a barista taste the coffee before serving it to customers—even sharing a single spoonful among multiple people to evaluate one cup? These actions aren’t random but are essential methods professionals use to accurately assess coffee flavors. This article dives deep into the principles and practical applications of “slurping,” explains the purpose behind baristas’ tasting, and takes you through the mysteries of cupping and shared tasting methods, helping you better understand the logic behind professional coffee evaluation. [more…]

With its low bitterness, mild acidity, and unique fermented aroma, cold brew has become one of the most popular brewing methods in summer. However, not all coffee beans are suitable for cold brew—different origins, processing methods, and roast levels can result in vastly different flavors when brewed cold. This guide will take you through the selection logic for five major cold brew styles, including rich fruity, fresh floral-fruity, bold and deep, and wine-like profiles, and offer practical advice for popular beans on the market such as Hua Kui and Geisha. [more…]

Have you ever heard that “letting coffee beans rest makes them more aromatic,” but aren’t quite sure why? In fact, the key to coffee resting isn’t about creating new flavors, but allowing the residual carbon dioxide from roasting to fully dissipate—preventing it from interfering with extraction. This article dives deep into the science of degassing, helping you understand how different roast methods and levels affect resting days. We also share practical sensory judgment methods to help you accurately identify each bean’s peak flavor period and elevate your pour over experience. [more…]

The price of a hand press coffee maker is only one-tenth or even lower than that of a semi-automatic machine, but does the espresso it produces really differ that much? This article compares the Xingli San hand press machine with the Lelit V3 semi-automatic machine, using the same coffee beans, grind size, and extraction conditions. We test concentration, extraction yield, and flavor performance, and share key parameters for using a hand press machine as well as tips to avoid common mistakes, helping you find the extraction tool that suits you best. [more…]

Beginners often wonder what kind of coffee beans to use for a moka pot or cold brew, and may even think that the brewing method must strictly match the bean type. In fact, the key lies in understanding the characteristics of different roast levels, processing methods, and origin profiles, so you can match the acidity, sweetness, body, or fruity notes you desire. This article will explain in detail how to choose the right beans based on your personal flavor preferences, and analyze the suitable roast ranges for moka pot and cold brew. It also includes practical references on roast level, processing method, and origin to help you easily find your own perfect cup of coffee. [more…]

Have you ever encountered your electric grinder spinning without actually grinding beans? Or are you unsure when and how to properly “clean” or purge the burrs? This article dives into four key operational details of electric grinders: analyzing the causes of spinning without grinding, understanding the correct concept and steps for purging, precautions before starting to grind, and the necessity of regularly checking grind size. Helping you maintain your grinder’s performance and consistently brew delicious coffee. [more…]

Did you know that black coffee actually includes various forms such as pour over, Americano, and cold drip? Among them, cold drip coffee is often more expensive than other types of black coffee due to its lengthy brewing time, complex procedures, and the large amount of ingredients used. This article delves into the real reasons behind the higher price of cold drip coffee, including its unique low-temperature extraction and fermentation process, as well as the high-quality coffee beans and large quantity of coffee grounds required—helping you understand the craftsmanship and cost behind each cup of cold drip. [more…]

Caffè Marocchino is a unique Italian specialty coffee that is often mistaken for a mocha. However, its flavor and preparation method are actually quite different. This coffee combines espresso, milk foam, and cocoa powder, resulting in an elegant presentation and a layered taste. This article delves into its origin, differences from mocha, and provides detailed steps for making it, along with tasting notes, so you can easily master the home-brewing secrets of this classic Italian coffee. [more…]

Midsummer is the perfect season to enjoy lychees. What delightful flavors can be created by combining sweet and juicy lychees with coffee? This article takes you through hands-on recipes for three popular iced coffee drinks featuring lychee—Lychee Jasmine Iced Americano, Lychee Wine Brew Iced Latte, and Lychee Cold Brew. We’ll cover everything from ingredient selection and ratio adjustments to brewing and steeping parameters, offering a detailed breakdown of each drink’s characteristics and practical tips. Plus, we share real flavor experiences to help you find your ideal summer coffee choice. [more…]

Anaerobically processed coffee beans often exhibit intense fruit aromas and unique fermentation profiles. However, if the brewing parameters are off, the resulting cup can turn out thin or lackluster in flavor. Drawing from hands-on experience, this article delves into the structural characteristics of anaerobic coffee beans and provides concrete methods for adjusting grind size, controlling water flow, and optimizing the coffee-to-water ratio. Paired with a three-step pour over process, it teaches you how to consistently brew layered, fruit-forward anaerobic coffee. [more…]

Kenyan coffee is renowned for its distinctive bright acidity and flavors reminiscent of cherry tomatoes and dark plums, largely thanks to the key variety SL28. A descendant of Bourbon from the 1930s, this variety is not only drought-resistant and high-yielding but also gives rise to the soulful flavor profile of Kenyan coffee. This article delves into the origins, breeding background, and flavor characteristics of SL28, analyzing how it shapes the defining features of Kenyan coffee, and takes you through the actual brewing experience under classic washed processing. [more…]

Pour over coffee often suffers from bitterness or heavy off-flavors, mostly due to 'over-extraction'—when undesirable compounds are overly extracted. This article will take you in-depth into the causes of over-extraction, focusing on three crucial factors: grind coarseness, brewing time, and water temperature. We’ll guide you step-by-step in adjusting parameters to steer clear of over-extraction traps and brew clean, balanced, and layered high-quality coffee. [more…]

During daily operations in a coffee shop, when using a split portafilter to extract espresso, it's common to encounter uneven liquid output on both sides or even no flow from one side. This not only affects the appearance of the shot but may also diminish the customer experience. This article will deeply explore the two main causes of uneven flow—machine leveling imbalance and channeling effects—and provide a detailed explanation of the structural differences between bottomless and split portafilters, helping you resolve the issue at its root and improve extraction stability. [more…]

The Chongqing Coffee Industry Association recently issued a public initiative against the takeaway platform’s “Hundred Billion Subsidy” strategy, pointing out that excessive subsidies have caused a sharp drop in the prices of freshly brewed coffee, severely impacting the operations of small and medium-sized independent coffee brands. This article delves into the background of the incident, the positions of various stakeholders, and explores how independent cafés can maintain competitiveness through product and service differentiation amid intensifying platform competition. [more…]

When Meituan rolled out Luckin’s 0-yuan redemption coupons, consumers scrambled to grab them. In the meantime, Jiaxing stores were quickly overwhelmed by a massive influx of orders. The delivery system nearly collapsed, employees were too busy to eat, and even delivery riders resorted to using tricycles. This article delves into the root causes of this order surge storm and how communication gaps between stores and the platform affected overall service quality. [more…]

A consumer in Nanjing discovered a large cockroach at the bottom of a Starbucks Cloudy Cold Brew drink, raising concerns about hygiene management in chain coffee shops. This article details the incident, the investigation findings by regulatory authorities, and analyzes the risks of cold brew storage and pest prevention, helping readers avoid similar food safety pitfalls. [more…]

A tea shop has launched a promotion offering a 5-yuan discount for customers who bring their own milk to pair with freshly brewed tea drinks, sparking heated online discussion. This move is a boon for those who are lactose intolerant, but it also raises concerns about food safety liability. This article analyzes the pros and cons of this policy in depth, exploring how consumers can weigh convenience, health, and potential risks when seeking personalized beverages. [more…]

Drip coffee bags are convenient and practical, but brewing them to achieve great flavor is not easy. In addition to water temperature control, factors such as pouring method, equipment selection, and coffee-to-water ratio greatly affect the final taste. This article delves into five key details of brewing drip coffee bags, including the ideal water temperature range, suitable cup types, techniques for slow and segmented pouring, and why prolonged steeping like tea bags is not recommended. Whether you're a beginner or a regular coffee-drinking office worker, you can learn practical tips here to elevate your brew's flavor. [more…]

Recently, many consumers have noticed that the flavor of Luckin’s popular drink, the "Jasmine Scented Latte," has changed — the coffee taste has become noticeably weaker, sparking market discussions. Is it a minor recipe tweak or a change in ingredient proportions? This article delves into the process from the March upgrade of fresh-brewed tea base to the June changes in espresso extraction methods, breaking down how the new formula affects the overall taste profile, and explaining the key differences between "short extraction espresso" and "espresso premium extraction." [more…]

A video of a Milk Tea Shop employee crying while making drinks due to a sudden surge in orders went viral, highlighting the work pressure faced by beverage industry workers under low-price promotion strategies. This article delves into the operational contradictions behind the incident, analyzes how the price war on food delivery platforms exacerbates staffing imbalances at stores, and shares practical challenges and psychological coping advice for tea beverage professionals working in high-stress environments. [more…]