Category: Coffee Knowledge
Cockroach found in Guangdong-style pineapple beer can — an analysis of food safety risks in a time-honored brand
The popular Guangdong-style pineapple beer was discovered to contain what appears to be a cockroach larva inside the can, sparking widespread consumer concern about food safety. This classic beverage, which has been around since 1934, was once a nostalgic drink for many people in Guangdong. But now, it is facing a trust crisis due to quality issues. This article delves into the possible sources of the foreign object, the protective measures in the canning production process, and how consumers can safeguard their rights — helping you understand the full picture of the incident and how to avoid similar risks. [more…]
Nicholas Tse’s Zhengzhou Fengwei Coffee Shop Supports Farming & Blends Coffee Flavors with Intangible Cultural Heritage
Hong Kong celebrity Nicholas Tse has opened a new “Fengwei” coffee shop in Zhengzhou, combining agricultural support initiatives with cultural experiences. In addition to offering coffee and light meals, the store showcases specialty agricultural products and intangible cultural heritage crafts from regions such as Yunnan and Hebei. This article delves into the shop’s unique features, coffee offerings, and fans’ diverse expectations regarding agricultural support and concerts. [more…]
M Stand’s First Store in Quanzhou Closes Lights Out – An Analysis of the Survival Challenges for Specialty Coffee in Second and Third-Tier Cities
M Stand’s first store in Quanzhou, located at SM City Plaza in Jinjiang, quietly shut down its operations. From its opening in May 2023 to its quiet exit, it lasted less than two years. This incident has drawn public attention to the challenges that specialty coffee brands face when expanding into second and third-tier markets. This article delves into the reasons behind M Stand’s operational setbacks in Quanzhou, explores the market logic behind the brand’s adjustments in store location strategy, and offers practical insights into the current state of coffee consumption in second and third-tier cities. [more…]
Complete Guide to Costa Rican Honey Processing: Flavor Differences from Yellow Honey to Grape Honey and Processing Secrets
Costa Rican coffee is renowned for its sweet, fruity aromas, and the key lies in the popular honey processing method used locally. This technique, situated between washed and natural processing, retains varying degrees of fruit mucilage to impart rich sweetness and complex layers to the coffee. This article delves into the evolution of honey processing, tracing its roots back to Brazil’s semi-washed method, and explores the classification system developed in Costa Rica—such as black honey, red honey, yellow honey, and white honey—based on terrain and disaster conditions. It also introduces you to the rising trend of grape honey processing. [more…]
Red Sea Crisis Impacts Global Coffee Trade: Analysis of 2025 Logistics Challenges and Price Volatility
Tensions in the Red Sea and frequent attacks by Houthi militants on merchant ships have led to major disruptions in international shipping. In 2025, global logistics face challenges such as rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, soaring freight costs, and port congestion, with the coffee trade bearing the brunt. This article provides an in-depth analysis of how the Red Sea crisis is affecting coffee transportation and market prices, and explores the current state and future trends of the global supply chain. [more…]
Mengniu Changes Leadership: Lu Minfang Steps Down from All Roles, Wang Xi Takes Over as Non-Executive Director Amid Transformation
Mengniu Dairy has once again seen major executive changes, with Executive Director Lu Minfang formally resigning from all his positions to focus on his personal and family life. Meanwhile, Wang Xi has been appointed as a non-executive director. This article delves into the strategic significance behind this personnel reshuffle, reviews the performance of Lu Minfang during his eight-year tenure, and explores how the new leadership team plans to seek breakthroughs amid intensifying competition in the dairy industry—offering in-depth insights for readers following Mengniu’s future development. [more…]
Complete Guide to Making a Perfect Homemade Latte: From Bean & Milk Selection to Extraction Ratios for a Balanced & Rich Flavor
Struggling to make a rich and fragrant latte at home that rivals your favorite café? Common issues like overly bitter coffee, overpowering milkiness, or flat flavors can be frustrating. This article dives deep into the key elements of a great latte — from tips on selecting the right coffee beans and milk, to the correct brewing and blending techniques — guiding you to master professional-level latte-making and easily craft a perfectly balanced, sweet, and lingering cup. [more…]
Latte Art for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide to Pouring Patterns on Lattes and Cappuccinos
Latte art is not just a visual treat but also a key technique that enhances the overall coffee drinking experience. This guide delves into the fundamentals of latte art, covering everything from steaming milk and controlling foam texture to drawing patterns on lattes and cappuccinos. It will equip you with practical tips and professional barista techniques. Whether you're a beginner or an enthusiast looking to refine your skills, you'll find useful knowledge and actionable advice on pouring latte art here. [more…]
The Science of Pairing Pour Over Coffee with Milk: A Complete Guide to Temperature, Ratios, and Flavor Balance
Wondering how to craft a rich milk coffee using a pour over coffee base but struggling with the technical challenges of directly brewing with milk? This article delves into the three major hurdles of using milk instead of water for pour over—temperature limitations, ingredient interference, and ratio blending—and provides expert advice, including the ideal milk temperature range and milk-to-coffee ratios for lattes, helping coffee enthusiasts create balanced and flavorful milk coffee at home. [more…]
Luckin Coffee opens 10,000 stores in one year, surpassing 20,000 outlets in total—how does it maintain profitability and quality amid price wars?
Luckin Coffee has rapidly expanded by adding 10,000 new stores within just one year, bringing its total number of outlets close to 20,000, surpassing Mixue Ice Cream & Tea to become the fastest-growing chain coffee brand. However, behind this rapid expansion, profits have declined, and the 9.9-yuan promotional battle has intensified price competition, putting further pressure on earnings. This article delves into how Luckin balances scale with profitability and explores the impact of the price war on the overall coffee market. [more…]
Controversy Over Mstand Corduroy Tote Bag Quality Control!Real-World Thickness and Durability Analysis of Brown-Toned Colorways
The corduroy retro tote bag launched by Mstand has sparked a trend with its brown-toned color palette, but actual use has led to many users questioning its quality control. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the fabric thickness, shoulder strap length design, and post-wash condition of three real samples in brown, green, and blue, along with selection tips and care precautions to help coffee enthusiasts grasp the key details before purchasing. [more…]
Starbucks’ stamp-collecting event is in chaos — inconsistent store policies leave customers baffled
During the National Day holiday, Starbucks launched a limited-time stamp-collecting campaign in multiple cities, attracting numerous collectors to participate. However, in practice, the interpretation of the event rules varied significantly among stores, with frequent changes from no-purchase-required stamping to varying purchase thresholds, leaving customers at a loss. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the two main event components and compiles common issues and precautions encountered by participants, helping you avoid pitfalls and successfully complete your stamp collection. [more…]
Indonesia may ban raw coffee bean exports!How will the global supply chain be affected?
Indonesian President Joko Widodo recently stated at an investors' summit that the government is considering banning the export of unprocessed agricultural products such as coffee and cocoa, aiming to enhance domestic processing value through a downstream resource strategy. If this policy is implemented, Indonesia — the world's fourth-largest coffee producer — could significantly adjust its export volume, further impacting the international market’s supply-demand balance and price trends. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the policy background, historical precedents, and potential market effects, bringing you the latest updates. [more…]
The Secret Behind Kenya Coffee's Bold Acidity: A Complete Breakdown of the K72 Processing Method and SL28/SL34 Varieties
Kenya coffee is world-renowned for its bright and bold acidity, with its unique flavor profile originating from high-altitude volcanic soils, the SL28 and SL34 varieties, and the distinctive K72 washed processing method. This article will delve into the three key factors behind the acidity of Kenya coffee—from geographic environment and varietal evolution to the three-stage 72-hour fermentation process—helping you gain an in-depth understanding of this richly flavored specialty coffee, as well as insights into the actual performance of a classic coffee bean from the Thika region. [more…]
Nowwa Coffee × Jianfu Convenience Stores Expand Through Joint Operation: Unveiling the Strategy Behind 500 Store Rollout in Lower-Tier Markets
When specialty coffee meets convenience retail, NOWWA Coffee teams up with Fujian’s leading convenience store chain Jianfu to launch an initial wave of 150 jointly operated stores. This collaboration not only accelerates brand penetration in second- and third-tier cities but also reduces operational costs through shared supply chains. This article delves into the partnership model, expansion blueprint, as well as the operational advantages and challenges of cross-industry coffee ventures in convenience stores. [more…]
Red Beet Beauty Bottle Trial Review: Flavor Analysis and Market Response of Beetroot Beverages
Heytea recently launched a new addition to its Super Plants Tea series, the 'Red Beet Beauty Bottle', which is based on the Mediterranean traditional ingredient beetroot, combined with various fruit juices and green tea base, claiming to offer beauty-enhancing and body-slimming benefits. This article delves into the unique formulation characteristics, taste experience, and the reasons behind the polarized market reviews of this new drink, helping readers understand the distinctive flavor profile of beetroot beverages and potential considerations. [more…]
Shanghai Exclusive!Analysis of Luckin's Lactic Acid Bacteria Americano Flavor & Its Connection to Gut Health
Luckin Coffee recently launched a new regional-exclusive beverage in Shanghai — the Lactic Acid Bacteria Americano, which combines plant-based lactic acid bacteria with cold brew coffee. Marketed for its refreshing and palate-cleansing qualities, it has also sparked discussions due to its potential "gut-smoothing" effects. This article delves into the formulation features, market feedback, and real user experiences of this new drink, helping readers understand whether it’s worth trying and who it’s best suited for. [more…]
Behind the closure of Cha Yan Yue Se's first Chongqing store: Observations on new tea beverage store adjustments and market strategies
The first Cha Yan Yue Se store in Yubei, Chongqing, quietly closed after the National Day holiday, drawing attention from consumers and industry insiders. The brand responded that the closure was due to the expiration of the lease and the decision not to renew it, and this move is also seen as part of its routine store optimization strategy. Meanwhile, its newly opened store in Suzhou has once again been criticized by consumers for issues with service efficiency and voucher redemption. This article will delve into the logic behind Cha Yan Yue Se’s store layout adjustments, as well as the current competitive landscape and user experience challenges in the new tea beverage market. [more…]
A Complete Guide to Colombian Green Coffee Grading: How to Distinguish Supremo from Excelso? Mesh Size and Defect Standards at a Glance
Colombia is a world-renowned producer of Arabica coffee. Its exported green beans are classified according to a rigorous grading system, among which Supremo and Excelso are the two most common grades. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the export standards set by Colombia’s FNC, covering bean size (mesh), defect rates, and the grading logic. It will help you understand the actual differences between these two grades and how they affect the flavor and quality of the coffee—giving you more confidence when selecting and brewing. [more…]
Ethiopia’s Addis Gozamen Special Economic Zone launches $50 million coffee processing project amid safety and exchange rate concerns
A Chinese enterprise, CKIIG, has received approval from the Ethiopian government to invest $50 million (approximately 6 billion birr) in developing 20 hectares of land within the Gozamen Special Economic Zone, focusing on the coffee processing industry. The project is expected to enhance local processing technology and export competitiveness, but challenges such as nearby armed conflicts, kidnapping incidents, and exchange rate fluctuations remain to be overcome. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the investment details and potential risks. [more…]