Have you heard of the term “frog beans”? In fact, it refers to Rainforest Alliance certified coffee beans that bear the green red-eyed tree frog logo. These coffees adhere to strict sustainability and social responsibility standards from cultivation to harvesting. This article delves into the background of the Rainforest Alliance, its merger with UTZ, the specific requirements of the certification, and why the red-eyed tree frog was chosen as a symbol. It also introduces several high-quality coffees that have earned this certification, helping you better understand the meaning behind sustainable coffee. [more…]

Colombia’s Cauca region has recently experienced frequent wildfires due to intensified armed conflict, severely impacting local coffee-growing areas. The military deployed over 1,400 soldiers to suppress the Western faction of the ‘Central General Staff,’ which in turn triggered forest fires. Coupled with persistent drought, this led to an almost 100,000-bag drop in coffee production in August. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the conflict zones, the extent of the fires, their actual impact on the coffee industry, and the challenges facing the region’s recovery. [more…]

A Beijing coffee shop recently exposed an elderly customer who repeatedly took drinks without paying, sparking discussions about petty theft in the food and beverage sector. Beyond individual customers’ ethical issues, businesses also face challenges such as high thresholds for filing cases and difficulties in obtaining surveillance evidence. This article delves into the details of the incident, common preventive measures in the industry, and offers practical advice to help coffee shops reduce losses. [more…]

On Solitary Hill Road by West Lake, the former COSTA Xiling branch has quietly replaced its signage with Starbucks, its Chinese-style interior attracting visitors to stop and take a look. This change not only has netizens exclaiming that "Starbucks replacing COSTA" has become a reality, but also reflects the rising rents in the West Lake commercial district and the competitive reality among coffee brands. This article takes you deep into the historical evolution of this store, the reasons behind the brand transition, and a data analysis of COSTA’s store closure trend in China in recent years. [more…]

The National Health Commission recently solicited public opinions on 19 food safety national standards, incorporating coffee into the scope of acrylamide testing for the first time in response to consumers' concerns about carcinogens in freshly brewed coffee. This article explains in detail the sources of acrylamide, its risk level, and how the new version of the national standard improves the detection system to help readers rationally understand the relationship between daily coffee consumption and health. [more…]

Did you know that besides frothing milk, your espresso machine’s steam wand can also be used to make a uniquely flavored egg custard? This creative dish originated in Colombia in the 1950s, and now you can easily recreate it at home using a domestic espresso machine. This article will provide a detailed tutorial on two methods for making coffee-flavored egg custard, covering everything from ingredient ratios and step-by-step instructions to cleaning tips, helping you make a smooth-textured dessert with a caramelized coffee aroma right in your own kitchen. [more…]

Recently, a Heytea employee in Shijiazhuang was found to have privately searched for customers’ phone numbers after work hours and added them on WeChat to harass them, sparking public concern. Heytea swiftly terminated the employee, issued an apology, and provided compensation. This incident highlights insufficient personal information protection training within the tea beverage industry. With the implementation of the 2024 Regulations on the Implementation of the Consumer Rights and Interests Protection Law, regulations governing how businesses handle personal data have become stricter. This article provides a detailed analysis of the incident, the brand’s response, and explains how the law protects your privacy. [more…]

Indonesian Mandheling coffee is renowned for its rich and bold flavors, and the key to this lies in its unique wet-hulling processing method. This article thoroughly explains why Indonesia widely adopts the wet-hulling technique — from its hot and rainy tropical climate to the historical backdrop of Dutch colonial rule. We delve into the reasons behind its development, the operational process, potential issues, and also analyze the actual flavor profiles of two Mandheling coffees from a certain brand, as well as the strict selection and trademark management of PWN Golden Mandheling. [more…]

Ethiopia’s central bank has recently introduced a new forex trading spread regulation, capping the bid-ask spread at 2%, aiming to ease the foreign exchange pressure on coffee exporters. This article delves into the policy details, market reactions, and the practical benefits and challenges this adjustment brings to the coffee supply chain, helping readers understand the latest changes in the trade environment. [more…]

A café located near a temple has launched 'Merit Coffee' wrapped in yellow talisman paper, donating a portion of each sale's proceeds to the temple, attracting many netizens to check in. However, this creative marketing that combines religious imagery has also sparked heated online discussions about whether it is 'exploiting faith.' This article delves into the background of the incident, public reactions, and explores whether such marketing tactics can truly earn long-term customer support. [more…]

Facing two consecutive quarters of declining sales, Starbucks' new CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, has adopted a new business direction by reducing discount offers and instead attracting customers through membership points and weekly special promotions, while reinforcing the brand positioning of a “community café.” This article analyzes the background of this strategic shift, specific measures, and explores its potential impact on customer behavior and long-term brand development. [more…]

Starbucks recently announced that it has entrusted its creative business in the U.S. market to the internationally renowned communications group WPP, marking a significant shift in the brand’s communication strategy. This collaboration not only focuses on reinforcing Starbucks’ distinctive image as a coffee authority but may also extend to global markets. WPP swiftly assembled a dedicated “Starbucks Team” composed of elite professionals from its top agencies to take on this challenge. This article takes you behind the scenes to explore the strategic planning and execution details behind this brand revitalization. [more…]

The lemon tea brand Lemon Season’s collaboration with the classic Japanese anime "Detective Conan" ignited online debates after stores displayed controversial CP-themed posters. This article delves into the incident, analyzing the division of brand responsibilities, principles of IP respect, and common missteps in co-branding campaigns to help readers understand the risk management behind brand marketing and consumer expectations. [more…]

Explore how Honduras’ Sweet Orange Estate has risen to prominence on the international coffee stage with its 1800-meter altitude and masterful cultivation techniques. This article delves into the unique characteristics of the estate’s Catuaí and Geisha varieties, the key factors behind its Cup of Excellence victory, and the impact of its distinctive orange tree shade system on flavor—offering insight into the rise of Honduras’ specialty coffee and its sustainable farming practices. [more…]

São Paulo, Brazil recently experienced a once-in-a-century severe storm, accompanied by record-breaking strong winds and heavy rainfall, leading to widespread power outages and infrastructure damage, which further exacerbated the situation for local coffee-growing areas. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the chain reaction this disaster has had on coffee cultivation, processing, and the international market, along with key climate data and regional impact assessments to help you stay updated on the latest market developments. [more…]

As urban development progresses, newspaper kiosks—once a ubiquitous presence—have gradually disappeared. But some brands are breathing new life into them through innovative transformations. In Guangzhou, McDonald’s has converted a kiosk into a small window-front café, focusing on coffee, breakfast, and ice cream, skillfully blending urban nostalgia with everyday flavors. This article takes an in-depth look at this trend of kiosk transformation, exploring its commercial potential and cultural value. [more…]

An European-style retro cafe located inside the Shanghai First [more…]

Many beginner coffee enthusiasts often mistakenly assume that the size of the water flow directly equates to the intensity of stirring during pour over brewing. In reality, what truly matters is the duration of contact between water and coffee grounds. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the actual differences between large and small water flows. Through comparative experiments, it helps you understand how pouring height, swirling speed, and brew ratio collectively influence extraction outcomes. Practical tips are also offered to guide you in precisely adjusting variables and achieving a more balanced coffee flavor. [more…]

Want to understand the charm of the Deborah Estate, a perennial contender among Panama’s specialty coffees? This article delves into the estate’s high-altitude environment in the Volcán region, as well as how the innovative CM carbonic maceration processing method works in tandem to shape the unique flavors of this Gesha coffee. From soil conditions to processing details, we break it down step by step for this internationally acclaimed coffee bean, and offer a real-world flavor reference to help you find your next great pour over. [more…]

Many beginner coffee drinkers often equate single-origin coffee with pour over, but in fact, the two belong to different categories: single-origin emphasizes the bean's origin, while pour over refers to a brewing method. This article will clarify the correct definition of single-origin coffee beans, analyze the key logic behind pour over, and explain why the public often confuses the two. It will help you build a more accurate coffee knowledge system, giving you better direction whether you're selecting beans or trying to brew your own. [more…]