When the specialty coffee brand Mstand launched a non-coffee product during Halloween — a potato sausage shumai (a type of hand-held pancake) — it immediately sparked heated discussions on social media. Why did this street food, seemingly so different from the brand’s usual image, become the center of attention? This article delves into real consumer feedback, the evolution of the brand’s breakfast offerings, and Mstand’s strategy of promoting branded merchandise in recent years, helping readers understand the motivations and market response behind coffee brands branching into the food industry. [more…]

Yirgacheffe is one of Ethiopia’s most iconic coffee-growing regions, renowned for its bright acidity and citrusy, floral aromas—qualities that have made it a favorite among pour over enthusiasts. But do you know why many coffees from this area are named after cooperatives or villages? This article delves into Yirgacheffe’s administrative divisions, its background in garden cultivation, and the origins and flavor characteristics of the Guddina Cooperative, offering insight into the story behind this classic bean along with brewing recommendations. [more…]

As the world’s largest coffee-producing country, weather conditions and exchange rate fluctuations in Brazil directly impact market supply, demand, and price trends. Recently, key Arabica-growing regions such as Minas Gerais have finally received effective rainfall, which helps alleviate the long-term drought’s impact on the 2024/25 and 2025/26 harvests. However, challenges such as low water levels in the Amazon basin, the depreciation of the Brazilian real, and port delays continue to add uncertainty. This article delves into the actual effects of meteorological changes on coffee tree growth and explores how these factors influence both the quality and pricing of the beans. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts enjoy adding sugar when brewing or drinking coffee. It not only helps neutralize bitterness but also enhances the overall flavor profile. However, with so many types of sugar available on the market, which one is the best match for coffee? This article delves into the characteristics and differences between white sugar and brown sugar, explores how they influence the flavor of coffee, and provides a detailed recipe for the classic Caramel Latte to help you find the perfect pairing for your taste. [more…]

Fresh coffee beans are the foundation of a delicious pour over coffee, but many coffee enthusiasts often make mistakes in storage, leading to a rapid loss of flavor. This article delves into the four key elements of storing coffee beans—sealing, coolness, dryness, and light avoidance—explaining how they affect the coffee's shelf life and flavor profile. It also provides specific solutions to the four common damaging factors, helping you store coffee beans correctly and preserve their optimal flavor. [more…]

Have you ever struggled to fit 18 grams of coffee into an 18-gram portafilter basket? This practical guide dives into the relationship between basket capacity and grind size, helping you understand why it can’t be filled completely, the science behind leaving headspace, and how to judge whether your grind is just right based on extraction performance. Master these details, and making stable espresso at home will no longer be a challenge. [more…]

Heytea’s sub-brand “Heytea Tea House,” which focuses on a Song Dynasty-style tea house aesthetic, has closed stores in Jiangmen, Huizhou, and Zhongshan within the past six months, drawing market attention to the survival rate of beverage sub-brands. This brand, known for its fresh-brewed milk tea, once attracted trend-seeking customers with its differentiated positioning, but now faces the challenge of rapidly shrinking store numbers. This article delves into the market factors behind these closures and explores how beverage sub-brands can carve out a place in an intensely competitive landscape. [more…]

During Halloween, Luckin’s limited-edition pumpkin oat latte became a social media sensation, but many customers who tried to recreate it at home by adding pumpkin mochi based on online photos often failed. This article delves into the official store rules and key DIY tips, including the correct choice of whipped topping, techniques for placing the pumpkin mochi, and common mistakes that lead to failure—helping you successfully replicate the viral look and avoid mishaps. [more…]

Tensions in diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Somalia, coupled with the Red Sea shipping crisis, have led to a sharp decline in cargo throughput at the Port of Djibouti, severely impacting Ethiopian coffee exports. This article provides an in-depth analysis of how the current situation is driving up coffee bean prices, and explores the challenges facing the industry and future trends. [more…]

Dive deep into two renowned Mandheling coffee regions in Sumatra, Indonesia—Lintong and Gayo—exploring their unique geographical environments, climatic characteristics, and flavor profiles. Also uncover the true identity of the commonly known Ateng variety, and understand how this misunderstood Catimor-family coffee has taken root in Indonesia. This article takes you from regional terroir to varietal background for a full understanding of the charm of Mandheling. [more…]

Starbucks announced that starting November 7, it will completely remove the additional charge for plant-based milks such as soy and oat milk across all its stores in the United States and Canada. This change is expected to help customers save over 10% on the cost of a single drink. This reform, driven by the company’s new CEO Brian Niccol, not only puts an end to years of debate over the surcharge but also becomes good news for those who are lactose intolerant. This article details the policy adjustments, differences in implementation across countries, and offers practical advice on choosing plant-based milks. [more…]

After the surge in Heytea franchised outlets, many consumers noticed significant quality discrepancies in the same drinks across different stores, sparking discussions about consistency in quality control. This article breaks down the differences between franchised and company-operated stores through real-life examples and provides practical tips for identifying store types, helping you steer clear of inconsistent-quality outlets and enjoy beverages that meet your expectations. [more…]

Want to understand how Brazil’s unique pulped natural processing method impacts flavor? This article dives deep into the steps and benefits of the Pulped Natural process, and explores the characteristics of Brazil’s four major specialty regions. With real cupping insights, you’ll master this processing style that balances clarity and body—whether you’re brewing pour over or making espresso. [more…]

As the world’s third-largest coffee producer, Colombia has recently received 22 billion pesos in agricultural revitalization funds, with production for the 2024/25 season projected to exceed 13 million bags. However, threats such as drought, forest fires, and the La Niña phenomenon persist. This article delves into the underlying concerns behind the production growth and offers practical advice for coffee farmers coping with extreme weather. [more…]

Halloween-exclusive drinks have become a popular strategy for brands to compete in the market. Nayuki’s “No Sugar Blood Orange & Grapefruit” drink, launched in collaboration with Harry Potter and featuring a unique “dark magic” theme, garnered significant attention. However, many consumers reported that the drink was overly bitter due to the inclusion of grapefruit peel, which negatively impacted the overall flavor. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the holiday drink’s formulation, the causes of its bitterness, and consumer feedback, along with serving suggestions to help readers avoid flavor pitfalls. [more…]

A mobile product launch event turned into a whirlwind when the CEO’s one remark led an AI to order 2,000 cups of Luckin’s Light Jasmine, causing nearby stores to be overwhelmed with late-night orders. This not only showcases the practicality of AI-powered interaction but also unexpectedly highlights Luckin’s efficient order fulfillment capabilities. This article breaks down the full sequence of events, including the logic behind the AI ordering, the store response details, and insights for the industry. [more…]

Yixing teapots are typically used for brewing tea, but can they also be used to extract coffee? To find out, we conducted a series of practical tests, trying out the Yixing teapot with coffee beans of different roast levels and processing methods to observe their flavor performance and extraction feasibility. This article will detail the powder-to-water ratio, water temperature, grind size, and steeping time used during the tests, along with TDS values and in-depth flavor descriptions, helping you understand the potential and limitations of this unique brewing method. [more…]

Luckin Coffee’s third-quarter revenue in 2024 surpassed 10 billion RMB for the first time, with a total of 21,343 stores, solidifying its position as the leader in China’s coffee market. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the highlights from its financial report, including the performance of company-operated and partnered stores, its roasted coffee supply chain layout, and its strategy of rapid product innovation and cross-industry collaborations to capture market share. Discover the key factors behind Luckin’s rapid growth. [more…]

Want to brew a medium-dark roast coffee with balanced acidity and bitterness, and a rich mouthfeel? This guide covers key extraction parameters—from filter choice and grind size to water temperature—and provides a complete step-by-step pour over method along with flavor notes using a Yunnan Typica medium roast bean. Master these techniques, and even beginners can easily brew a richly layered, full-bodied cup. [more…]

Are you a beginner or an advanced pour over enthusiast who often hesitates when choosing a dripper? This article takes an in-depth look at the Kalita Wave Diamond Dripper from the century-old Japanese brand Key Coffee. From its unique diamond-shaped ridges and filter hole structure to the differences in flow rate, airflow, and flavor performance compared to the classic Hario V60, it helps you understand how different drippers affect extraction and find the best pour over tool that suits your flavor preferences. [more…]