Labor negotiations between Starbucks and its workers in the U.S. have once again reached an impasse. The workers' union has announced strikes in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle this Friday to protest low wages and unfair labor practices. So far, over 525 stores and 11,000 baristas have joined the union, with 98% of members supporting the action. What exactly are the key points of contention? What proposals has Starbucks put forward? Here's a detailed breakdown. [more…]

Scented & Soaring’s first physical milk tea store globally has recently opened in Hangzhou’s Hubin area, featuring affordable milk teas priced between 9 and 12 yuan, and quickly drawing crowds with a grand opening buy-one-get-one-free promotion. However, customers discovered that the so-called “brewed milk tea” is actually made by steeping instant tea bags with mixing powder on-site, sparking heated online discussion about this business model, which differs significantly from mainstream freshly prepared tea drinks. This article will take you through how the new store actually operates, analyze its market feedback, and explore... [more…]

Operation Cherry Red is a quality improvement initiative launched in Ethiopia in 2007 by Dutch green coffee trader Trabocca. By purchasing fully red, ripe coffee cherries at premium prices, it aims to improve both the income of coffee farmers and the overall quality of the coffee. This article provides an in-depth look at how the program operates, the well-known growing regions where it is implemented, and explores the unique flavor profile of Yirgacheffe sun-dried red cherry beans along with brewing recommendations. [more…]

After Indonesia entered its rainy season, consecutive days of heavy rain triggered floods and landslides, severely damaging harvests and transportation in major coffee-producing areas. The estimated production of Indonesian Robusta coffee for the 2024/25 season has been revised downward to 10.9 million bags, with exports also decreasing. Coupled with currency exchange rate fluctuations and rising fertilizer costs, future market imbalances may push prices higher. This article analyzes the disaster situation, regional impacts, and price trends to help you stay updated on the latest developments in the coffee market. [more…]

The Christmas collaboration between HEYTEA and Hello Kitty featuring a limited-edition set of silver tea bowls and rose-pink trays sparked a buying frenzy. However, concerns over pre-reserved items and resale on the secondary market have raised questions about the fairness of the event. This article analyzes the chaos in store operations, explores why historical issues have resurfaced, and offers consumer tips to avoid pitfalls—helping you understand the unspoken rules behind securing limited-edition joint merchandise. [more…]

Starbucks recently launched a Holiday Cheer Member Night event exclusively for Gold and Platinum members, sparking considerable discussion. While the event was intended to offer festive interaction and a taste of new products, many members reported a gap between their expectations and the actual experience. This article will delve into the varied feedback from the member night, explore the reasons behind differences in store execution, and provide practical insights to help readers better understand the real situation behind Starbucks’ member events. [more…]

Melange coffee (Wiener Melange) is a classic representation of Vienna’s coffee culture, similar to the common cappuccino yet with subtle differences. This article delves into the historical background of Melange, compares its ratio, milk foam, and serving size with those of cappuccino, and details the full process and flavor experience of making Melange using the Warm Sun beans. It helps readers better understand the unique charm of this iconic Austrian milk coffee. [more…]

Do you know why Red Bourbon is the dominant coffee variety in Brazil? And why doesn’t Yellow Bourbon turn red when ripe? This article delves into the evolutionary background of Brazilian coffee varieties — from Typica to Bourbon, and then to the emergence of Red and Yellow Bourbon — exploring the genetic reasons behind Yellow Bourbon not turning red, including the key roles of anthocyanins and luteolin. It also provides flavor profiles of Red and Yellow Bourbon, along with practical pour over recommendations, to help you find the Brazilian specialty coffee beans that suit your taste. [more…]

Recently, the domestic purchase price of Colombian coffee hit a monthly high, with the November average price rising 13% month-on-month, drawing market attention. Both production and export volumes have rebounded, but the Red Sea shipping crisis and rising fertilizer costs have placed multiple pressures on the export and cultivation sectors. This article provides an in-depth analysis of price trends, regional conditions, and future challenges to help readers grasp key changes in the global coffee supply chain. [more…]

Luckin Ice City has raised the prices of some beverages by 1 yuan at select outlets in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beijing, drawing market attention. This price adjustment applies only to in-store purchases and orders via the mini-program, with no changes yet on delivery platforms, and affects only specific regional stores. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the regions impacted, the brand’s official statement, the history of past price adjustments, as well as mixed consumer feedback, helping readers better understand the background and potential implications of this round of pricing changes. [more…]

Recently, Tea.Ba has required its stores to make boba on-site by hand, sparking strong feedback from frontline staff. The brand aims to enhance beverage flavor through freshly made boba, but the added preparation process has also increased the workload for employees. This article delves into the craftsmanship details of handmade boba, the real challenges faced by staff, and the brand’s trade-offs between innovation and human resources. [more…]

As a representative sun-dried coffee bean from Ethiopia’s Guji Hambella region, Huakui coffee beans have been released up to their 8th batch since winning the championship in 2017. This article delves into the regional background, naming origins, and batch evolution of Huakui, analyzing its tropical fruit flavor profile, and sharing brewing recommendations and flavor expressions under light roasting to help coffee enthusiasts gain a more comprehensive understanding of this popular bean variety. [more…]

As the world’s largest coffee producer, Brazil’s production and sales trends have a profound impact on the global market. The latest data shows that pre-sales for the 2025/26 coffee crop stand at only 12%, far below the historical average. Coupled with factors such as drought and exchange rate fluctuations, this has driven spot coffee prices to a 26-year high. This article delves into supply chain concerns, market expectations, and price trends to help readers grasp the key information. [more…]

What kind of flavor sparks will emerge when distinctive northeastern frozen pears meet modern coffee? Recently, the "Big Frozen Pear" Americano, a limited-edition collaboration between Luckin and the TV series *Rural Love*, has sparked heated discussions online. Netizens have mixed reviews on the balance between its sweetness and coffee flavor. This article takes an in-depth look at this seasonal creative beverage—from its ingredient composition to real taste experiences—to help you understand the market feedback on pear-flavored coffee and what to expect if you’re trying it for the first time. [more…]

Heytea’s classic drink “Juicy Grape” has been the best-selling product since its launch in 2018, beloved by customers for its unique hand-peeled grape preparation. However, the behind-the-scenes preparation process is full of challenges — employees must peel and de-seed each grape individually, which becomes even more labor-intensive when dealing with grape varieties that have many seeds or thick skins. This article takes an in-depth look at the manual production process of Juicy Grape, the real working experiences of the staff, and the brand’s reasons for insisting on manual handling. [more…]

During the cold winter months, tea beverage shops often face the issue of ice cubes clumping in their ice machines due to low ambient temperatures, which can impact operational efficiency. This article delves into the causes of ice machine gridlock phenomena, shares practical troubleshooting methods used in the industry, and provides recommendations on equipment parameter adjustments and maintenance to help professionals effectively prevent and address this common issue. [more…]

The Xintiandi Shikumen Starbucks, which has accompanied Shanghai residents for 24 years, will officially close on December 16. This standalone building, located at the main entrance of the commercial district, has not only been a landmark photo spot but also holds countless memories of dates, self-study sessions, and everyday moments. This article details its transformation from its opening in 2000 to its upgrade to a Reserve store, explores the possible reasons behind its closure, and reflects on the fading presence of other long-standing Starbucks locations in Shanghai. [more…]

Delve into the evolution of Costa Rica’s honey processing method—from its innovative roots derived from Brazil’s pulped natural process, to the nuanced flavor categories of black, red, yellow, and white honey. This article will help you understand how this water-efficient and flavor-rich processing technique emerged from adversity, and through the example of the Tarrazú La Minita Estate Geisha, analyze the specific impact of honey processing on a coffee’s aroma and taste profile. [more…]

Vietnam’s coffee exports showed strong performance in 2024, with the annual export value expected to exceed US$5.5 billion for the first time. Despite a more than 20% drop in export volume, a nearly 90% surge in prices drove an overall increase in total value. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the latest developments in Vietnam’s coffee industry, including price trends, key export markets, and the potential impact of weather conditions and changes in planting structures on supply, helping readers understand the critical turning points in the global coffee supply chain. [more…]

When an intricate image of Beijing’s Zhengyangmen Gate Tower appeared on a latte, this “postgraduate-level” printed coffee instantly sparked heated discussion on social media. Edible rice paper printing technology has expanded latte art beyond the realm of milk foam, but it has also raised consumer concerns about food safety and taste impact. This article delves into the production principles behind this creative decoration, explores whether it enhances the coffee experience or is merely a gimmick for photos, and provides practical observation tips to help readers make informed judgments. [more…]