October 25, 2026

The Secrets of Tanzania Coffee Bean AA and AB Grades: A Complete Analysis of British Mesh Standards and Quality Differences

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Tanzania coffee is gradually making its mark in the global specialty coffee market, but the common labels on its packaging such as 'AA' and 'AB' often leave many consumers puzzled. These letters are actually grading codes for Tanzanian Arabica coffee beans, categorized based on British mesh size, reflecting the bean size and potential quality. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the various grade standards for Tanzanian coffee beans, including the specific mesh size requirements and screening processes for AAA, AA, A, B, PB, and other grades. [more…]

How is the Red Sea crisis impacting Ethiopian coffee exports? An in-depth analysis of logistics bottlenecks

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As a globally significant coffee-producing country, Ethiopia relies heavily on the port of neighboring Djibouti for its exports. Recently, tensions in the Red Sea have escalated, with the Houthi militia frequently attacking commercial vessels, leading several shipping companies to announce freight rate hikes in November. Coffee export costs are thus under upward pressure. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the progress in logistics cooperation between Ethiopia and Djibouti, the actual impact of Red Sea security conditions on shipping, and how these variables are affecting the coffee supply chain—helping readers stay on top of the latest market developments. [more…]

茉莉奶白悉尼首店3天賣破萬杯!東方花香茶飲如何打動澳洲人?

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内地新茶饮品牌茉莉奶白10月18日正式登陆悉尼唐人街,短短三天创下逾万杯销量与近2.8万澳币营收的佳绩。本文深入解析其选址策略、空间设计巧思、针对当地市场调整的产品线,以及开业期间的营销手法,带您看懂这家主打东方花香的茶饮品牌如何在海外快速打响名号。 [more…]

Tea drink names are getting ultra-long and full of reduplication sounds—Z世代’s love or just a marketing trap? Analyzing the naming trends in tea beverages

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In recent years, tea drink names have become increasingly long, with some even stretching to over 30 characters. They’re often packed with excessive reduplication and puns, leaving consumers thoroughly confused. Is this phenomenon a creative marketing strategy targeting Generation Z, or just a gimmick that confuses customers? This article takes an in-depth look at the business logic behind these tea drink names, explores market feedback, and examines the relationship between product essence and flashy titles, helping readers make smarter purchasing decisions. [more…]

Shanghai Coffee Festival Crowds: Real-World Test Reveals Overcrowding, Poor Signal, Price Hikes, and Veteran Coffee Lovers Bemoan Losing the Original Spirit

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As a well-known coffee capital within the Chinese-speaking world, Shanghai’s annual coffee festival always draws large crowds of enthusiasts. However, a recent large-scale outdoor coffee event sparked discussions due to long queues, unstable internet, price controversies, and excessive commercialization. This article takes you on-site to witness the real situation, analyzes the genuine challenges faced by participants, and shares practical tips for avoiding the crowds and enjoying the event smoothly—so your next visit won’t leave you with regrets. [more…]

Chaos at new Parade Tea Queen store openings: Challenges in pickup process and management under 9.9 RMB promotions

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As Parade Tea Queen expands to locations such as Hainan, Fujian, and Guangdong, its 9.9 RMB special offer has attracted a large number of consumers. However, the disorganized pickup process has sparked widespread discussion. Many customers reported that despite reserving their pickup via the mini-program, they still had to wait in long lines upon arrival at the store. Additionally, staff did not check their pickup codes, resulting in an experience that did not match the official claims. This article analyzes the issues with the pickup mechanism during the new store promotions and the practical challenges faced by store management, helping consumers develop smoother purchasing strategies. [more…]

The Rise of Ethiopian Huaku Coffee Beans: How AFCA Propelled African Specialty Beans to Fame Through the TOH Competition

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Want to understand how Ethiopian Huaku coffee beans leaped from a local growing region to become globally acclaimed natural-process specialty beans? This article takes an in-depth look at the competition mechanism of the 2017 harvest season flavor competition TOH, introduces the driving force behind it—the African Fine Coffee Association (AFCA)—and explains how the competition has become an important platform for African coffee farmers to improve quality and access international markets. [more…]

Brazil's port strike intensifies coffee backlog, new season faces multiple blows

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Recently, a large-scale strike has erupted at ports across Brazil, causing a massive backlog of coffee at docks, while abnormal weather has further exacerbated challenges for the upcoming harvest season. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the immediate impact of the strike on coffee exports, explores the lingering effects of drought in Brazil’s coffee-growing regions, and examines the challenges facing the global supply chain along with future trends—helping you stay updated on the latest market developments. [more…]

Starbucks Q4 2024 Performance Declines: Analysis of Global Same-Store Sales Drop

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The latest financial report from Starbucks shows that net revenue in Q4 of fiscal year 2024 declined by 3% to $9.1 billion, with a 2% drop in global same-store sales for the full year, especially underperforming in the Chinese and North American markets. New CEO Brian Niccol announced the “Return to Starbucks” plan after taking office but suspended the 2025 fiscal year performance guidance. This article analyzes the main reasons for the decline, the direction of market strategy adjustments, and how the brand plans to restore market confidence in the future. [more…]

The Evolution of Italian Coffee Culture: The Rise of Espresso and Why Iced Americano Is Unpopular

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Did you know that ordering an iced Americano in Italy might get you some strange looks? From the arrival of coffee in Venice in the 16th century to espresso becoming the national drink, it took Italy hundreds of years to establish espresso as a cultural icon. This article delves into the evolution of Italian coffee—from religious opposition to nationwide adoration, from steam-powered machines to lever extraction—exploring why espresso is considered the “authentic coffee” in the hearts of Italians, and how iced Americano has faced cultural cold shoulders here. [more…]

Nestlé launches three new tea-coffee products; can its collaboration with Onmyoji win over Gen Z?

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As a leading brand in the global coffee market, Nestlé has launched a new series of tea-coffee beverages this July, featuring three flavors—Orchid Jasmine, Osmanthus Oolong, and Da Hong Pao—to address challenges such as the decline of the instant coffee market and brand aging. These innovative blends aim to attract younger consumers by combining coffee with tea. Three months later, the brand further collaborates with the popular mobile game Onmyoji through an IP partnership and limited-edition merchandise to expand its presence in the Gen Z market. This article takes an in-depth look at the product features and market strategy of these three tea-coffee offerings. [more…]

Luckin’s Apple C Americano Criticized for Unbalanced Sweetness and Richness – Consumer Tests Reveal 7 Truths About Its ‘Zero’ Health Claims

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Luckin’s latest collaboration product, the ‘Apple C Americano,’ promotes itself with a ‘7 zeros’ healthy formula, but has received widespread negative feedback due to excessive sweetness and flavor disconnection. This article delves into consumer test feedback, analyzes the ratio of apple juice to coffee liquid, and compares it with the success factors behind KFC’s Apple Sparkling Americano, helping readers understand the balance secrets of fruit-flavored coffee and what to watch out for when choosing. [more…]

Beijing Maan Coffee Yongwang Store Closes Abruptly at Night — Analysis of Prepaid Card Refunds and the Reasons Behind the Brand's Decline

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A Maan Coffee outlet located in Beijing’s Fengtai Yongwang Dream Plaza was recently discovered to have quietly closed in the early hours of October 13 without prior notice or an expired lease, sparking widespread concern among consumers and industry insiders. The mall accused the store of unilaterally breaching the contract by failing to handle the remaining balance on prepaid cards and not following proper procedures for vacating the premises. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the incident, the mall’s response, and a retrospective look at the rise and fall of the Maan Coffee brand over the years to help readers understand the risks of prepaid card consumption and the current state of Korean-style cafés. [more…]

Front Street Coffee Debunks Rumors of Japanese Ingredients, Clarifies Misunderstandings Over Technical Collaboration

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In response to recent online rumors claiming that "Front Street Coffee imported ingredients from Japan," the company has officially issued a statement to clarify the situation and has reported the matter to the public security authorities. In reality, the misunderstanding stemmed from a letter of intent for technical collaboration signed between Front Street Coffee and Kyowa Hakko Bio of Japan. The original intention was to jointly research and develop fermented lactoferrin technology, but it was wrongly interpreted as the import of raw materials and capital cooperation. This article details the sequence of events, clarifies the facts, and explains the importance of lactoferrin and the progress of its domestic production. [more…]

Front Street Coffee 4.0 stores launch bagel series for the first time: an analysis of the phenomenon of new tea brands crossing over into baking

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As competition in the new tea beverage market intensifies, many brands have begun to explore diversified business models that combine "coffee + baked goods." Recently, Front Street Coffee introduced its Premium Tea Series in its 4.0 stores and made its first foray into baked products by launching three flavored bagels, marking its official entry into the bagel market. What is the allure of bagels that has prompted tea beverage brands to follow suit? This article will detail the features of Front Street Coffee’s new products, its pricing strategy, and explore why bagels have become a staple offering in coffee shops. [more…]

The plastic basin peripheral from Mixue Ice Cream & Tea is a hot seller: How tea beverage brands can master down-to-earth marketing strategies

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Mixue Ice Cream & Tea recently launched a plastic basin peripheral given away with purchases over 15 RMB. With its simple design and everyday-life positioning, it has sparked heated discussion. This household item, printed with the Snow King character, not only breaks the conventional impression of tea beverage peripherals but also showcases the brand’s unique people-friendly approach. This article delves into the marketing logic behind this phenomenon, exploring innovative directions and market responses for limited-edition peripherals. [more…]

Analysis of the Low Pass Rate in Manner’s Salary Increase Assessment: Challenges with Equipment and Scoring Standards

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Manner’s salary increase assessment is considered a key pathway for employees to boost their income, but the actual pass rate is not optimistic. From espresso preparation to the pour over segment, the assessment process is rigorous, and differences in equipment and the details of scoring often become bottlenecks. This article delves into the content of the assessment, the real reasons behind the low pass rate, and offers practical preparation and test-taking advice to help readers understand the actual challenges faced by Manner baristas. [more…]

Decoding Brazilian Green Coffee Grading: From SS, FC to Screen Size, Learn How to Read Sack Labels

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Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer, and its green beans are commonly found in various blend recipes. But when sourcing, the letters and numbers printed all over the sacks—such as “SS”, “FC”, “SC-17/18”—can be quite puzzling. These labels actually reflect a rigorous grading system. This article will take you through the full Brazilian green coffee grading framework, from growing regions, defect rates, screen sizes, cupping scores to sensory grades, so you can instantly understand the professional codes on those sacks. [more…]

Ethiopian coffee exports under threat: How escalating northern conflict and the delayed EUDR impact the market?

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Recent drone strikes in Ethiopia’s northern Amhara region have resulted in over 60 civilian casualties. The ongoing conflict not only disrupts local livelihoods and the economy but also triggers a ripple effect on the country’s coffee industry. With the EU's EUDR (Deforestation Regulation) implementation postponed, global coffee prices declining, and regional security tensions rising, the coffee sector—which had been aiming for increased production—is now facing dual challenges in exports and market access. This article explores how the war is impacting the coffee supply chain and what lies ahead. [more…]

Nayuki's Q3 2024: Net Closure of 89 Company-Owned Stores – What Operational Challenges Lie Behind the Store Closures?

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The new tea beverage brand Nayuki has recently been caught up in a wave of store closures, with frequent reports on social platforms about quietly shuttered outlets in multiple locations. Official data shows that in the third quarter of 2024, the number of company-owned stores decreased by 10 net, and although the addition of franchised stores helped balance part of the shortfall, the scale gap with leading brand HEYTEA continues to widen. Consumers have also reported issues such as declining product quality control and the replacement of baked bread with pre-made items. This article provides an in-depth analysis of operational reports and market feedback to dissect the current operational challenges and adjustment strategies Nayuki is facing. [more…]