Since March this year, Starbucks has reintroduced its hand-drawn paper cup service in stores across North America and some other regions, aiming to revive the personal touch of a decade ago and attract many customers with a sense of familiarity. However, this thoughtful initiative has caused considerable distress among many employees who are not skilled in drawing, with some even hoping to see it cancelled. Is this service a display of brand warmth, or an additional psychological burden for employees? [more…]

The closure of two flagship Chagee stores in Qingdao has drawn attention, with the Taidong branch operating for less than two years and the Yinyu Lane location also quietly shutting down. Nevertheless, the brand continues to expand both domestically and internationally, with reports of new openings in Los Angeles, USA, and Seoul, South Korea. However, the first store in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, temporarily postponed its launch due to controversy over promotional images, highlighting the cultural adaptation challenges it still faces in its global rollout. This article analyzes the reasons behind the closures, the current state of expansion, and the risks in overseas markets. [more…]

Luckin Coffee implemented an AI-powered automated scheduling system, originally intended to optimize staffing. However, by overly focusing on hourly cup output while neglecting hidden tasks such as cleaning and ingredient preparation, the system has led to a sharp increase in frontline staff workload — with some even required to work unpaid overtime to complete their duties. This article delves into the operational logic of the system, the real challenges faced by employees, and the often-overlooked importance of back-of-house work in café operations. [more…]

Wondering how to choose the right grind size and coffee powder amount for making homemade drip bags? This article explains in detail how coarse or fine your pour over coffee beans should be ground depending on their roast level, covering the sieve filtration rate and common grinder setting comparisons for light to medium roast, medium to dark roast, and dark roast beans — with practical bean examples. It also offers precise recommendations on portioning 10 grams of coffee per bag, sealing, and storage to help you preserve the fullest flavor of your coffee. [more…]

In a recent lottery event hosted by the Chongqing social media account of CHAGEE, one user won four times within just a single month. Since the draw was not conducted using an automated platform system but was instead manually selected, it has sparked public scrutiny over the transparency of the process. Although the individual involved insisted that it was purely due to luck and high participation rates, public doubts remain difficult to dispel. This article delves into the origins of the incident, explores common differences in lottery mechanisms across the industry, and offers practical tips for identifying fair promotional activities. [more…]

HEYTEA sparked online debate after listing a bachelor’s degree as a requirement for baristas in a Guangzhou job fair: Do you really need a university degree to shake milk tea? The store later clarified that academic qualifications are not a strict requirement, and promotions depend on ability. This article delves into the full story, helping you understand the real hiring conditions and career paths in the tea beverage industry, as well as how to boost your competitiveness when entering the field. [more…]

Many pour over coffee enthusiasts often face a common question: should you wet the filter paper with hot water before adding the coffee grounds? Some insist that wetting the filter removes paper taste and stabilizes brewing temperature, while others believe this step is optional. This article will delve into the practical differences between wet and dry filters—from the material of the filter paper and the type of pour over dripper to actual brewing needs—to help you make the most suitable choice for different situations, improving both the consistency and flavor expression of each pour over brew. [more…]

Freeze-dried coffee is often mistaken for being close to freshly ground quality, but in reality, it belongs to the same category of quick-dissolving products as traditional instant coffee—just with a different production process. This article delves into the principles behind freeze-drying technology, comparing the brewing methods, flavor profiles, and suitable usage scenarios of the three types of coffee to help readers make informed choices and avoid misconceptions. [more…]

The once design-renowned Starbucks Reserve store in Guangzhou Tianhuan has officially confirmed its closure. Despite being located in the core commercial area of Tianhe District and enjoying steady foot traffic on regular days, it could not escape the fate of shutting down. This article delves into the challenges faced by high-end stores in bustling districts—such as high rents and low table turnover rates—and explores how the phenomenon of "just taking photos, not consuming" affects operational profitability. It also provides practical reference points for selecting optimal locations in commercial zones. [more…]

The Chinese tea beverage brand Pekoe Tea Queen plans to open its first store in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Unexpectedly, due to the suspected inclusion of the "nine-dash line" marking the South China Sea on the map within its app, strong dissatisfaction among Vietnamese netizens has emerged. This has led to a collective boycott of the brand on local social platforms, with its official app even being removed from both app stores. This article delves into the full story of the incident and explores the sensitive map issues and local regulatory risks that brands need to be aware of when expanding overseas. [more…]

Mandheling coffee is commonly associated with dark roasting, but lighter roasts also showcase unique charm. This article breaks down the three main reasons behind the popularity of dark roasting, analyzes the flavor profiles of key regions such as Sumatra and Sulawesi, and provides practical parameters for pour over and roasting to help coffee enthusiasts find their own preferred Mandheling flavor. [more…]

During hot seasons, iced coffee becomes a favorite for many. As three mainstream cold brewing methods, iced pour over, cold drip, and cold brew each have their unique flavors and brewing processes. This article will delve into their extraction principles, coffee-to-water ratios, grind size settings, suitable coffee bean types, required brewing durations, and storage tips, helping you easily master the most suitable iced coffee brewing method based on your personal taste preferences. [more…]

Recently, Heytea has been closing stores frequently across multiple cities nationwide, with outlets in Baoji (Shaanxi), Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and other locations gradually downsizing or shutting down. According to data from Jihaibrand monitoring, within just 90 days, the brand opened 12 new stores but closed 146 — averaging nearly two closures per day. Is this due to strategic brand adjustments or market saturation? This article takes an in-depth look at real cases of Heytea’s store closures and explores the shifting competitive landscape of the tea and coffee markets. [more…]

Beijing police recently shut down a counterfeit coffee operation hidden in a courtyard of low-rise houses. This illegal workshop sold fake branded coffee beans, ground coffee, and syrups at extremely low online prices. The on-site conditions were filthy, with raw materials even located next to a dry toilet. This article details the incident and reminds consumers to be vigilant in identifying genuine products to avoid purchasing subpar goods lured by low prices. [more…]

What seemed like a routine food delivery incident turned into a tragic accident when a Starbucks hot beverage lid came loose, resulting in third-degree burns and permanent injuries to the delivery worker. The California jury ultimately ruled that Starbucks must pay up to $50 million in compensation, which could rise to $60 million including interest and attorney fees. This article provides a detailed analysis of the incident, the victim’s injuries, the court’s basis for the ruling, as well as Starbucks’ response and plans for appeal—offering an in-depth look at this far-reaching consumer safety lawsuit. [more…]

Recently, well-known tea beverage brands Mixue Ice Cream & Tea and Uncle No Name Tea were both investigated on the same day for food safety issues. A Mixue store in Wuhan was exposed for storing overnight lemon and orange slices at room temperature and using them the next day, while an Uncle No Name Tea branch in Hankou was found altering expiration labels on ingredients to keep expired items on shelves. This article details the incident, reveals common food safety risks in the tea beverage industry, and provides key points for consumers to identify such issues. [more…]

Understanding how coffee flavors change at different temperatures is key to deepening your coffee tasting skills. This article will guide you through the evaluation highlights of the high-temperature (70–50°C), medium-temperature (50–40°C), and low-temperature (40–20°C) stages, and explain how cupping procedures help you grasp the true quality of coffee. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced enthusiast, you'll learn how to more systematically perceive the layers and nuances of coffee. [more…]

Once coffee beans are ground into powder, the rate at which flavor compounds dissipate increases significantly, and this process accelerates even more when left unsealed. This article will walk you through an actual test to help you understand how the aroma of coffee powder changes without airtight storage, while also analyzing brewing differences across various time periods. This will assist you in identifying the optimal usage window and key storage pointers for coffee powder. [more…]

Is your pour over coffee too sour, thin, or flat? Does your French press brew taste dull? Or does your cold brew feel watery? Don’t throw it away just yet！This article takes an in-depth look at the "re-brew rescue method" for both drip and immersion brewing methods, teaching you practical tips like adjusting the brewer’s angle or extending steeping time to effectively improve extraction rates and revive the rich flavors of failed brews. From manual pouring techniques to equipment choices, we also cover key points to watch out for and common mistakes, helping you save every cup of subpar coffee. [more…]

The Geisha coffee beans from Panama's Emerald Estate have long been renowned for their high quality and distinctive flavors. In recent years, the newly introduced "Black Label" grade has sparked widespread discussion. This mysterious tier is produced in limited quantities, commands a high price, and features unique processing methods. This article will take an in-depth look at the origins of the Black Label Geisha, the characteristics of its plots, its scarcity, and its experimental processing techniques—helping you fully understand the story and value behind this top-tier specialty coffee. [more…]