Nayuki Tea reported an estimated loss of over 400 million yuan in the first half of 2024. Faced with weak market demand and cost pressures, the brand is adjusting its strategy, including closing underperforming stores and seeking international expansion. This article delves into how its premium positioning has become a stumbling block to growth, and explores whether the brand can return to a growth trajectory through strategic adjustments. [more…]

Pour over coffee enthusiasts often seek richer aroma expression, and the Paragon Gold Ball designed by World Champion Sasa Sestic claims to improve aroma retention by 40%. This golden sphere rapidly cools the extracted liquid to slow down aroma volatilization—but how effective is it in practice? This article breaks down its working principle through comparative experiments, analyzes the true impact of temperature changes on flavor layers, and helps you decide whether it’s worth the investment. [more…]

As the proportion of pet-owning households rises, more and more beverage brands are turning their attention to the "fur-kid economy." Pekoe Tea Queen has recently launched trial pet-friendly stores in four cities including Changsha and Kunming, offering thoughtful amenities such as water bowls, poop bags, and litter boxes, sparking heated discussion among consumers. This article takes an in-depth look at the details of the pet-friendly policies, the actual layout of the stores, and explores both the opportunities and challenges the beverage industry faces in tapping into the pet market. [more…]

Latte art is a craft that combines technique and aesthetics, but many beginners often encounter issues such as unstable milk foam or blurry patterns during early practice. This guide details the key steps from basic milk frothing to forming simple designs, analyzes common reasons for failure, and shares practical practice methods to help readers gradually master latte art through repeated attempts and improve the overall quality of their coffee-making. [more…]

Luckin Coffee’s latest iced shaken espresso series, in collaboration with the popular game Black Myth: Wukong, has launched three new creative flavors. The nationally launched products require shaking in a shaker bottle at least 8 times to prepare, which has drawn market attention. However, consumer reviews generally suggest that its flavor does not match up to Starbucks’ Iced Shaken Espresso, and is even inferior to Luckin’s own classic Coconut Latte. This article will break down the features and production process of the new product, compare it with competing offerings, and offer practical purchasing advice. [more…]

Dive into how Costa Rica, with its unique geographical environment and rigorous grading system, produces finely-flavored Arabica coffee. This article explores the characteristics of its eight major regions, highlights the cultivation advantages of the high-altitude Tarrazú region, and analyzes the typical flavor profiles of SHB-grade beans — providing practical insights for coffee enthusiasts seeking high-quality Central and South American beans. [more…]

Recently, São Paulo, Brazil has experienced one of the most severe wildfire outbreaks in decades, with 46 cities declared under a state of emergency and the number of fires reaching an all-time high. Although the main harvest period is nearing its end, the new season’s coffee is currently at a critical growth stage — particularly in the renowned Mogiana region, which borders the hardest-hit areas. This article delves into the current wildfire situation, the impacted regions, and the potential challenges these may pose to Brazil’s coffee yield and quality in the future. [more…]

Have you ever noticed letters like AA or AB after the product name when buying East African coffee beans? These are actually grading codes for green coffee beans, indicating different qualities and sizes. This article will delve into the coffee bean grading systems in East African producing regions such as Kenya, focusing specifically on the differences between AA and AB, as well as the full grading standards including PB, E, TT, and more, to help you select high-quality coffee beans more accurately. [more…]

A first branch of BONJOUR, a milk tea brand from Suzhou, opened in Hangzhou, with online displays indicating wait times of 7 to 10 hours for pickup, sparking heated discussion among netizens. What is it about this cup of milk tea that compels people to wait so patiently? Or is it a meticulously planned market operation? This article delves into the consumer psychology behind the queuing phenomenon, the on-site reality, and whether it’s worth standing in such long lines. [more…]

The blooming step in pour over coffee may seem simple, but the amount of water used is closely related to extraction efficiency. Why is it generally recommended to use twice the weight of coffee grounds for the bloom? Should the dark liquid that seeps out in the initial stage be discarded? This article delves into the principle of coffee grounds absorbing water, supported by practical test data, to analyze how bloom water affects the overall flavor and concentration of the coffee, helping you master this often overlooked key detail. [more…]

Starbucks launched three regional-exclusive Frappuccinos at Shanghai's Road Life Festival. Among them, the “Qin-Jin Fire Crystal Persimmon Frappuccino” sparked heated discussion due to its playful name and innovative flavor, prompting many consumers to worry that the combination of persimmon and dairy might lead to indigestion. This article takes an in-depth look at the true ingredients of this beverage, explores the scientific concerns behind mixing persimmon with milk, and explains how Starbucks' actual use of oat milk helps avoid these risks—so you can enjoy your drink with both clarity and peace of mind. [more…]

When using a moka pot to brew coffee, it's common to encounter issues such as spraying coffee, slow extraction, or insufficient crema, which can discourage many beginners. This article delves into three common extraction problems: water-like spraying, prolonged no flow, and thin crema. It analyzes the underlying causes—including key parameters like grind size, heat control, coffee dose, and tampering pressure—and provides specific adjustment suggestions. Paired with suitable medium-dark roasted coffee beans, it helps you achieve a stable extraction of rich coffee with beautiful crema. [more…]

Want to understand the unique flavors of Brazilian coffee and its rigorous grading standards? This article provides an in-depth analysis of Brazil’s advantages as the world’s largest coffee exporter, explores the characteristics of its four major producing regions, and explains the meanings behind professional grading terms such as NY2 and SC17/18. From highland terrains to cupping criteria, gain essential knowledge for selecting Brazilian beans and discover the charm of classic flavor profiles like Cerrado Red Bourbon. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts notice that the first shot of espresso is often discarded when operating a semi-automatic espresso machine. This is not wasteful but a key step in maintaining coffee quality and machine performance. This article delves into why the first shot of espresso is not suitable for drinking, introduces the morning setup process used in professional coffee shops, and explains the correct usage and importance of cleaning pucks, helping readers establish a professional approach to espresso machine maintenance. [more…]

A recent severe armed attack in the Kochere Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region in Ethiopia has resulted in at least 14 deaths, displaced 37,000 people, and caused property damage exceeding 600 million Ethiopian birr. This zone is not only an important part of the Sidama coffee-growing region but also borders the renowned Yirgacheffe area. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the potential impact of this incident on local coffee cultivation and exports, and explores how currency devaluation and inflation are exacerbating challenges within the industry. [more…]

When cafés become popular check-in spots on social media, photography is not just about personal documentation but also involves the boundaries of public space usage. This article explores the tension between customers’ photography needs and shop owners’ operational rights through real-life cases, and provides practical interaction suggestions and considerations to help both parties find a harmonious way to coexist. [more…]

The Manner roastery specialty store in Chongqing’s MixC Mall has closed due to the expiration of its lease. This flagship store, which opened in 2021, was not only the brand’s first outlet in the city but also the only one among its 18 branches that sold freshly baked bread. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the closure reasons, customer feedback, explores Manner’s roastery strategy in the Chongqing market, and offers practical suggestions for finding alternative affordable coffee and bread combos. [more…]

In recent years, the tea drink industry may have appeared prosperous, but it has actually faced severe challenges. The latest statistics show that approximately 130,000 milk tea shops across the country closed in the past year, affecting numerous entrepreneurs and franchisees. What exactly is causing this wave of "closures"? From market saturation and price competition to brand trust crises, this article provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of the tea drink industry, helping readers understand the challenges facing the sector and potential directions for future transformation. [more…]

A themed café at the Harbin Pharmaceutical No. 6 Factory tourist site once launched a special latte containing calcium gluconate and zinc oral solution, which drew attention due to the unauthorized addition of Class A over-the-counter medicines. After a consumer reported the issue, market supervision authorities launched an investigation, ultimately resulting in a total compensation and reward of 2000 yuan, which was fully donated. This article details the full incident, analyzing food safety regulations and common misconceptions. [more…]

The recent large-scale protests in Indonesia have not only disrupted social order but also dealt a heavy blow to the coffee industry, which was already grappling with declining production and global market volatility. Exports from key Sumatran growing regions have been cut in half, compounding challenges such as the Red Sea shipping crisis and high Robusta prices. This article provides an in-depth analysis of how political unrest is affecting the coffee supply chain, along with updates on regional conditions and market data. [more…]