A yet-to-open beverage shop in Guangzhou has quickly become the center of public debate after naming itself 'Jing Cha' and decorating with cartoon images of police officers. Consumers are concerned that such naming may cause misunderstandings, prompting regulatory authorities to step in for investigation. Where exactly is the line between commercial creativity and public signage? This article delves into the compliance controversy surrounding the incident and also shares legal and market basics to consider when naming a coffee shop, helping you avoid potential risks. [more…]

Heytea has expanded its store-exclusive Zhizhi Ganpu beverage from Jiangbianli to all nationwide outlets, combining young green mandarins from Xinhui, ripe Pu’er from Yunnan, and dried tangerine peel powder to create a layered citrus-Pu’er tea base, topped with the classic Zhizhi (whipped cream) topping. However, this regionally distinctive tea drink has sparked polarized reviews since its national release, particularly drawing mixed reactions from consumers outside its place of origin. This article delves into the ingredient composition and product background of Zhizhi Ganpu, as well as real user experiences from netizens across the country, to help you understand this talked-about drink. [more…]

Want to learn how green coffee beans can turn into aromatic roasted beans at home, but don’t have a professional roaster? This article walks through three actual stovetop roasting experiments using a frying pan and gas stove, testing different heat levels and bean varieties. We record in detail the timing from adding beans to the pan to the "first crack" and "second crack", changes in bean color, the process of chaff shedding, and share how to judge roast level by sound, sight, and smell. Finally, we actually brew and taste the beans to compare flavor profiles across different roast degrees, taking you from zero to experiencing the joy of hand-roasting coffee. [more…]

A chain coffee shop in Shanghai has launched a pour over Geisha coffee priced at 1800 RMB, sparking heated discussion in the market. What makes this beverage, made from top-tier Panamanian auction beans, so special? This article delves into the origin of the bean variety, its flavor profile, the reservation model, and takes you through the pricing logic and consumption trends of the premium coffee market. [more…]

Luckin’s summer watermelon cold brew, although eye-catching in its promotional imagery, left many consumers deeply disappointed with its actual flavor. Many reported that the drink barely tasted like coffee, more like diluted watermelon water. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the new product’s appearance, flavor performance, real recipe process, and explores the key extraction factors and ratio design of cold brew coffee, helping readers understand the root of the problem and how to choose an ice coffee that suits them. [more…]

Affogato is a simple yet layered coffee dessert, made with a shot of espresso poured over ice cream. The contrast between sweet and bitter creates a powerful taste sensation. This article dives deep into the essentials of crafting a classic affogato — from choosing the ice cream flavor, selecting the roast level of coffee beans, finding the golden ratio, to the technique of pre-chilling the cup — helping you master the key details of this popular treat and easily create a stunning coffee experience. [more…]

Many home and professional grinders boast precise dosing features, yet in practice, discrepancies within 0.5 grams are still common. Though seemingly minor, such differences can significantly impact espresso extraction time, concentration, and taste. This article analyzes how variations in coffee dose—based on three sets of test data at 19.5g, 20g, and 20.5g—affect extraction parameters, and explains why meticulous control in shop-brewed espresso is crucial. [more…]

When beverages are no longer just for drinking, but can become the soul of a dish? Recently, netizens have kicked off a creative trend of using freshly made drinks such as Mixue Ice Cream & Tea’s “Smashed Orange” and “Iced Fresh Lemonade” in cooking — from spare ribs to steamed buns — with experimental results that are both surprising and hilarious. This article will take an in-depth look at the practical details, flavor feedback, and techniques behind this wave of “Snow King Cuisine,” helping you understand which drinks are truly suitable for cooking and how to skillfully use them to elevate home-style dishes. [more…]

The popular drink Pistachio Jasmine Coconut from Jasmine Milk White has garnered widespread acclaim for its unique pistachio milk topping and refreshing coconut water combination. However, recently, many takeaway customers have reported issues such as the milk topping sinking to the bottom and the drink becoming cloudy after delivery, negatively affecting the overall experience. This article delves into the possible reasons behind the sinking milk topping, including delivery timing, store operation procedures, and variations in ingredients. It also analyzes the quality control challenges brought on by a surge in takeaway orders, helping readers understand the truth behind this phenomenon. [more…]

This summer, GuMing launched a “Preserved Plum Lemonade” featuring a combination of preserved plums, perfume lemons, and small green oranges, claiming to deliver a sweet, sour, and icy taste. However, many consumers reported that the drink was overly salty, with noticeably bitter lemon peel, and some delivery orders came with the preserved plums separately packaged, requiring customers to add them themselves—sparking discussion. This article takes an in-depth look at the actual flavor profile of this new product, consumer feedback, and the practicalities and possible reasons behind the separate packaging of preserved plums for delivery. [more…]

With the arrival of the Yangmei season, Tea&Berry has launched new products such as "Yangmei Yogurt Smoothie" and "Yangmei Burst Ice," each cup featuring about nine fresh Yangmei fruits. However, to preserve the taste of the fresh fruit, the brand requires store staff to manually remove the pits on-site, but without providing suitable tools. As a result, employees have to pit the fruits by hand, which is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also prone to injury. This article delves into the actual difficulties faced by frontline store employees behind this wave of Yangmei beverages and their coping strategies. [more…]

Recently, Manner has accelerated the pace of launching new products, with multiple cold beverages rolling out over the past month. The latest offering, the 'Orange Iced Tea Latte', combines orange, jasmine green tea, and coffee—but it has been criticized by consumers for being too similar to the brand’s own 'Fresh Orange Latte'. Regular customers have noticed that the brand has recently favored a formula of 'fruit + tea base + coffee', and the relatively sweet taste has sparked discussion. This article analyzes the similarities and differences between the two drinks and explores the reasons behind Manner’s shift in flavor direction. [more…]

Paomo Tea Ji’s classic summer limited edition ‘Summer Dream Muscat’ has made its comeback this year, not only launching green-themed packaging and merchandise, but also sparking discussions due to changes in flavor. Long-time customers feel that the tea aroma is overly strong and the melon flavor has been toned down, greatly differing from the refreshing taste they remember; new customers, however, perceive it as reminiscent of childhood cantaloupe popsicles. This article delves into the background of the fruit tea’s return, rumors about formula adjustments, and compiles evaluations from both sides to help readers understand the true flavor of this seasonal drink. [more…]

When to pour in stages during a pour over brew is a common point of confusion for coffee enthusiasts: should you wait until all the water from the previous pour has completely dripped through before adding the next, or pour in advance while some water is still draining? This actually relates to extraction efficiency and flavor balance. This article explains, with experimental data and professional analysis, the specific impact of different pouring timings on extraction rates, and offers practical advice tailored to different grind sizes, water temperatures, and flow rates — helping you precisely master the golden timing for each pouring stage. [more…]

As competition among food delivery platforms intensifies, Luckin’s low-priced bread coupons have sparked a frenzy of consumer stockpiling. However, many find themselves unable to redeem them due to stockouts at stores. This article delves into the causes behind this buying craze, dissects the supply chain bottlenecks, and offers practical redemption tips to help coffee lovers avoid pitfalls and enjoy high-value baked treats. [more…]

After recently switching to an imported variety of green grapes, HEYTEA staff have faced challenges in peeling them, leading to severe hand strain. The new variety has firm flesh, making manual peeling inefficient, yet the peeling machine has not been widely adopted. This article takes an in-depth look at the backstage operations of the tea beverage industry, explores the difficulties in peeling and equipment limitations, and offers practical preparation suggestions to help readers understand the hidden challenges in drink production. [more…]

Pangxi Tea Ji announced that it will discontinue four core tea bases starting May 9, 2025, which will consequently affect eight best-selling drinks including Jinwu Fuyao and Qu Yunnan. This adjustment involves both highly popular limited-edition items and regular products, sparking widespread discussion among consumers. In addition to reviewing the market response to the affected items, we also analyze the brand’s actual considerations behind modifying the tea menu and explore the potential future trend toward fruit tea offerings. [more…]

Guming recently launched a 1-yuan iced water product on its mini-program, sparking heated discussion among netizens. This simple drink, made with a plastic cup, ice cubes, and plain water, may seem ordinary, but its low price and multiple uses have made it a hot topic. However, some consumers question whether this move is redundant, given that many other chain brands already offer free drinking water. This article will take an in-depth look at the actual cost of the 1-yuan iced water, its market response, and its reference value for readers in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities. [more…]

When making iced coffee, ice is not just for cooling—it also affects the overall flavor and concentration. Understanding the characteristics of solid ice versus hollow ice, and mastering the appropriate ice-to-coffee ratios for different beverages, allows you to brew a fragrant, not watered-down, and refreshingly cold iced coffee at home. This article will delve into the key role of ice and provide practical reference ratios for drinks such as iced americano, iced latte, pour over, and cold brew. [more…]

The combination of butter and coffee is not just a recent trend but also a meeting point of long-standing culinary cultures. This article delves into the history, preparation methods, and unique flavors of two classic types of butter coffee—bulletproof coffee and Nanyang coffee. It explores how they stand out in health-conscious diets and local food traditions, and offers practical brewing suggestions and precautions to help you better appreciate the charm of butter coffee. [more…]