A Guangdong-based Gu Ming tea shop recently faced a terrifying moment when a knife-wielding, naked man burst into the store while several people were present. In response to the crisis, four staff members remained calm, cooperated seamlessly with bystanders and the police, and successfully subdued the man without anyone being injured. The incident has sparked widespread discussion online, with netizens praising the bravery of the staff and the company also handing out rewards. This article details the incident and shares practical advice on how to respond to sudden dangers. [more…]

Want to try something different with your coffee this summer? The combination of watermelon and coffee has gained increasing popularity in recent years, especially when paired with chilled beverages that bring out refreshing flavors. This article features three popular watermelon coffee specialties: Sparkling Watermelon Americano, Watermelon Cold Brew, and Watermelon Iced Pour Over. We provide a comprehensive guide covering ingredient selection, ratios, brewing parameters, and step-by-step details, helping you easily make refreshing and cooling summer coffee at home. Whether you’re looking for quick everyday drinks or more advanced specialty versions, these recipes will surely [more…]

Tea's Tone launched a series of "Mountain Wild Litsea Cubeba" drinks, offering a Litsea Cubeba-themed hanging ornament as a peripheral gift with the purchase of a large cup. However, the intricately designed "mini stick" peripheral advertised turned out to be smaller in size and distorted in shape upon actual receipt, sparking widespread complaints from consumers. This article delves into the flavor characteristics of litsea cubeba, analyzes the brand’s marketing strategies, and compares the differences between the actual product and its promotional imagery, providing a comprehensive look at the controversy surrounding these "wooden peripherals." [more…]

Recently, a consumer in Zhejiang shared a video on social media, claiming to have found several white, wriggling worms in their Luckin Coffee beverage. This has drawn public attention to food safety issues. The incident not only highlights potential risks in the production and storage of ready-to-drink coffee but also serves as a reminder for consumers to be more vigilant when making purchases. This article will detail the sequence of events, the various speculations about the source of the foreign object, and the steps consumers can take in such situations. [more…]

Guming’s recently launched “Summer Buy One Get One Free” promotion, while successfully attracting a large influx of customers, also plunged the store’s back-of-house operations into unprecedented chaos. This article delves into how the promotion led to staff working overtime under excessive pressure, analyzes the practical challenges behind making eight popular fruit teas, and, from the perspective of frontline employees, breaks down the gap between the brand’s promotional activities and the actual operational capacity of the stores—providing practical insights for professionals in the coffee and tea beverage industry. [more…]

The boutique coffee brand Seesaw has recently made headlines due to a pay dispute crisis. At its Shanghai IFC store, employees showed up for work but were unable to serve beverages, resorting only to multilingual signs to politely turn away customers. This article delves into the operational challenges behind the incident, including supply chain disruptions and labor disputes, while also presenting firsthand reactions from both staff and customers—offering an in-depth look at how this once well-regarded coffee brand is facing unprecedented challenges. [more…]

Recently, consumers in Guangdong reported that the “Grandpa Doesn’t Make Tea” drink “First Love Rose Grapefruit Fruit Tea,” priced at around 17 yuan, was only half full even though it was unopened, sparking online discussions about whether drinks without ice should be served full. This article delves into the store’s serving standards and cup design issues behind the incident, and analyzes how consumers can identify beverage portions, providing practical purchasing advice and precautions. [more…]

Tims recently launched a light meal lunch box, aiming to tap into the healthy food market. However, it has sparked controversy due to the actual quality falling short of promotional claims and difficulties faced by staff during service. This article delves into the gap between the product's marketing and real-world experience, examines the impact of pre-made ingredients on service efficiency, and offers practical insights valuable for both consumers and industry professionals. [more…]

Want to enjoy iced pour over in the summer but worried about flavor dilution? Many coffee enthusiasts opt for stainless steel ice cubes to cool their brew while believing it preserves both full flavor and a refreshing taste. However, our test results show that although stainless steel ice cubes help maintain coffee strength, they significantly underperform traditional ice cubes in cooling speed and final mouthfeel. This article presents an experimental comparison analyzing their differences in temperature change, flavor performance, and practicality—helping you find the best iced pour over solution for your taste. [more…]

Dirty coffee, with its dual impact of visual and taste sensation, has become a must-try beverage for many coffee enthusiasts. Among its elements, the use of an ice cup is crucial in maintaining the layered effect. But which should you choose — a refrigerated or frozen ice cup? This article presents an in-depth comparison through actual testing, examining their differences in temperature performance, flavor presentation, and layer retention. It also explores the precautions for using a frozen cup and the best milk pairings to help you master the essence of making this popular Dirty coffee. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts wonder whether it's possible to directly add ingredients such as sugar or butter during espresso extraction to release their flavors together. However, in a high-pressure extraction environment, this approach can easily disrupt the puck structure, leading to channeling effects. This results in a coffee that is both over-extracted and under-extracted at the same time, severely impacting the taste. This article will delve into the relationship between extraction pressure, puck density, and channel formation, and help you understand why it’s recommended to flavor after extraction, as well as how to season your espresso stably. [more…]

As South Korea’s presidential election draws near, Starbucks has faced controversy after customers abused the “Call Me By Your Name” service by using the names of several candidates as nicknames. The brand swiftly adjusted its policy, prohibiting the use of the names of six major candidates and former President Yoon Suk-yeol as order nicknames to uphold workplace etiquette and neutrality. This article analyzes the background of the incident, the brand’s response, and subsequent measures, helping readers understand how the coffee chain is addressing politically sensitive issues. [more…]

Delivery platforms have rolled out hefty subsidies, making it easy for consumers to snag coffee and baked snacks. But behind this commercial battle, frontline staff at Luckin stores are under immense pressure. The volume of frozen snacks needing thawing has surged several times over, turning what used to be simple procedures into tedious and time-consuming tasks. Adding to the dissatisfaction is the cancellation of performance incentives and mandatory overtime. This article takes an in-depth look at store operational processes, the real challenges faced by employees, and industry hidden rules—shedding light on the other side of the delivery subsidy war. [more…]

Gu Ming recently launched an “Early Morning Fresh Milk” priced at just 8 yuan, using refrigerated fresh milk from brands such as Yue Xianhuo and Wei Gang, available hot or cold. This has sparked heated discussion among consumers. Is this new product an affordable alternative to convenience store fresh milk, or a KPI-driven R&D output? This article delves into its formulation, price advantage, market feedback, and explores its potential business strategy. [more…]

Heytea’s first directly operated store at Dalian’s Roosevelt Square recently closed quietly, drawing market attention. According to data from Jihai Brand Monitoring, although the brand has opened new stores in the past 90 days, its total number of stores has plummeted by 161, dropping from 4,410 to 4,265 operational stores — averaging about two closures per day. This round of adjustments is not limited to franchise stores, as some directly operated outlets that had been in business for many years have also exited one after another due to rent and contract issues. This article will delve into the reasons behind Heytea’s store downsizing. [more…]

A content creator resold Mixue Iced Lemonade at a scenic area at a price higher than the original, earning over 200 yuan in just three hours, sparking heated discussion online. Is such behavior legal? Can the brand restrict resale prices? Does using the brand logo constitute infringement? This article analyzes the compliance of secondary sales from a legal perspective and reminds consumers to be aware of related risks and responsibility delineation. [more…]

Recently, a customer discovered that Starbucks had served them the wrong drink when picking up their order. They were told they must return the incorrect item before a replacement could be made, sparking heated discussion among netizens. What exactly are Starbucks' policies regarding drinks that have left the counter? Is it compliant for staff to ask customers to return such drinks? This article provides an in-depth analysis of the incident, Starbucks' internal operational guidelines, and advice for customers facing similar situations. [more…]

Recently, news that Honey Snow Ice City has opened a store in the surgical building of the new campus of the Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Anhui Province, has sparked heated discussion among netizens. In addition to Honey Snow Ice City, this floor also houses chain brands such as Luckin Coffee and Laoxiangji, forming a unique commercial layout within a medical setting. This phenomenon raises the question: are in-hospital food and beverage outlets a convenience measure for patients and visitors, or do they pose potential health and environmental risks? This article delves into the pros and cons and real-world impacts behind this trend. [more…]

A job seeker applied for a probationary position at a bubble tea shop but was assigned to clean an unopened new store. After completing the task, they were immediately fired and denied the promised daily training stipend of 100 yuan. The incident sparked public outrage, and the shop eventually conceded under public pressure, agreeing to pay the wages. This article breaks down common tactics in such probation period traps and provides key steps and precautions for job seekers to protect their rights. [more…]

Explore the rare coffee variety Wush Wush, originating from Ethiopia yet shining brightly in Colombia. From its history of disease-resistant cultivation to the sun-drying process at Birch Estate in the Huila region, this guide analyzes how these beans—offering flavors of black plum and dried blueberries—achieve layered complexity through a V60 three-stage pour over. Key parameters such as altitude, processing method, and roast level are provided, along with practical pour over brewing tips. [more…]