Recently, the Nairobi Coffee Exchange in Kenya reopened, with the average auction price of Grade AA green beans reaching $275 per bag, marking a 15% increase from the previous session, drawing significant market attention. However, behind the rising prices lie potential risks for future industry development, including shrinking production, insufficient processing facilities, disruptions from monkeypox outbreaks, and political instability. This article delves into the driving factors and challenges behind the price trends, helping you grasp the latest market dynamics of Kenyan coffee. [more…]

Hawaiian Kona coffee is hailed as the “queen of coffees,” ranking alongside Jamaican Blue Mountain. Yet its price remains consistently high. What exactly contributes to its noble status? This article delves into the unique terroir conditions of Kona coffee, the development history of the producing region, and the key factors influencing its pricing, helping you fully grasp the core value of this premium coffee—from its cultivation background to the tasting experience. [more…]

You may have heard that adding salt to coffee can make the flavor smoother, but there’s actually some fascinating science behind taste perception at play. This article delves into how salt, by modulating your taste buds, can effectively reduce bitterness while amplifying sweetness and aroma complexity. It also explores the origins of this drinking tradition dating back to the 19th century. Whether you’re a pour over enthusiast or a frequent milk coffee drinker, you’ll learn how a small pinch of salt can bring an unexpectedly delightful boost to your daily cup. [more…]

Cascara, or coffee cherry tea, is a unique beverage made from the outer skin of the coffee cherry after proper processing. This article delves into the origins of Cascara, its production process, brewing ratios and techniques, and explores its sweet, aromatic flavor profile and low caffeine content—helping readers master this increasingly popular coffee byproduct, from beginner to advanced applications. [more…]

Have you ever wondered if those uniquely shaped coffee tasting cups can truly enhance your drinking experience? This article delves into the design principles of tasting cups, the practical effects of materials and shapes on flavor perception, and explores whether aroma cups can genuinely help you capture more aromatic details. It also provides practical pour over training methods to help you gradually sharpen your sensitivity to coffee layers and flavors. [more…]

A cheung fun shop in Dongguan, Guangdong, has created a unique "coffee cheung fun" by incorporating espresso into the rice flour batter used to make the wrapper, sparking heated discussions online. This creative snack that blends Eastern and Western culinary cultures not only piques curiosity about its flavor but also sets off a trend of innovative cheung fun fusions where “anything goes.” This article will delve into the inspiration behind this “sun-kissed” version of Cantonese cheung fun, various creative variations inspired by netizens, and the flavor characteristics resulting from the fusion of coffee and cheung fun. [more…]

Starbucks has offered its new CEO, Brian Niccol, an astronomical total compensation package worth $113 million, which not only far exceeds market expectations but also includes special benefits such as remote work and a private jet. This article breaks down the composition of this stunning pay package, how it differs from that of his predecessor, and the strategic considerations behind Starbucks' executive hiring practices, helping readers gain an in-depth understanding of the benefit structures for top executives in international corporations. [more…]

Although Ecuador is not the world’s largest coffee-producing country, its unique geography gives rise to fine coffees with delicate flavors. This article takes an in-depth look at Chimborazo Province, located in the central Andes, analyzing its natural conditions that are well-suited for coffee cultivation, and highlights the representative Lu Gu Ma Patá Estate to help you understand the coffee potential and characteristics of this equatorial nation. [more…]

Recently, Brazil's South-Central region has been hit by a rare cold wave, with temperatures in many areas dropping below freezing and even setting new national low-temperature records. This cold snap not only poses challenges to the already winding-down coffee harvest season but could also severely impact the growth of coffee crops for the upcoming 2025/26 season, leading to a rapid rise in both Arabica and Robusta coffee futures prices. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the causes of the extreme weather, affected regions, the actual impact on coffee crops, and potential future market trends. [more…]

Have you noticed that your pour over coffee becomes particularly acidic as it cools? In fact, not all coffees behave this way—only those with specific flavor profiles exhibit heightened acidity upon cooling. This article delves into how temperature affects taste perception, analyzes the scientific reasons behind increased acidity in lightly roasted coffee as it cools, and offers practical adjustment tips to help you better grasp pour over flavors and avoid brewing unbalanced, overly acidic coffee. [more…]

The World Health Organization has recently designated the outbreak of the African mpox variant as a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern.' The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak, has reported over 14,000 infections, with the virus spreading to neighboring countries. As a globally significant coffee-producing region, East Africa’s smallholder farming model and cross-border trade activities may be impacted by the epidemic, potentially leading to declines in both coffee yield and quality. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the potential effects of the outbreak on the coffee industry supply chain and offers practical insights for observation. [more…]

Want to brew the perfect latte? Choosing the right milk is key. Commonly available options on the market—such as fresh milk, concentrated milk (like Iced Buck), plant-based milk—all have their unique characteristics. Even powdered milk can be used as an ingredient for milk coffee. But why do professional cafés rarely use powdered milk for brewing? This article provides an in-depth comparison of the flavor, concentration, and ease of use of various milk sources when making lattes, along with practical suggestions and precautions to help you select the most suitable type of milk based on your needs and create the ideal rich foam layer and balanced taste. [more…]

Though small in size, Panama shines brightly on the global specialty coffee map. This article delves into the main coffee-growing provinces of Panama, with a special focus on the three key regions in Chiriquí Province—Boquete, Volcán, and Renacimiento—exploring their unique microclimates formed around the Barú Volcano. It also introduces the history, altitude advantages, and competition achievements of Elida Estate, along with actual flavor profiles, helping you fully grasp the essence of Panama’s specialty coffee. [more…]

The Matcha Freeze Mountain series launched by Starbucks this summer includes three new drinks: latte, tea latte, and Frappuccino, all featuring eye-catching alpine-style packaging and unique whipped topping designs. However, this limited-edition summer beverage has sparked polarized reviews in the market, with many consumers reporting imbalanced sweetness and a strong grassy taste. Staff have also frequently made mistakes due to confusion over product names. This article delves into the product features, market feedback, and actual drinking experience to help readers understand the pros and cons of this highly discussed drink. [more…]

Recently, Luckin’s lightly jasmine-flavored milk tea has been selling well thanks to celebrity endorsement by Liu Yifei, but many consumers have noticed white sediment at the bottom of the cup and a powdery mouthfeel. Is it due to undissolved tea powder, simplified production processes, or issues with the dairy component? This article delves into the causes of the sediment, differences in production methods, and provides tips on identification and selection to help you better understand the quality of tea beverages. [more…]

As the world’s fourth-largest coffee-producing country, Indonesia is home to Mandheling coffee from the island of Sumatra, renowned for its distinctive flavor profile. This article delves into the development background of Indonesia’s coffee industry and provides a detailed introduction to the geographical characteristics and flavor expressions of Sumatra’s major specialty coffee regions — from Gayo Mountain in Aceh to the Lintong region — helping you understand how these regions shape coffee beans with rich, layered flavors. [more…]

A consumer in Shanghai discovered a large fly at the bottom of an iced Americano purchased from Peet’s Coffee, sparking concerns over beverage hygiene and production safety. Although the store offered a refund and a remake, the customer insisted on investigating the truth. After regulatory authorities stepped in, they stated that surveillance footage quality was insufficient to clarify the issue. This article details the incident, responses from all parties involved, and provides food safety tips for consumers when purchasing and consuming coffee. [more…]

Recent frequent conflicts in the Red Sea have worsened shipping safety, impacting the global coffee supply chain. As a commodity highly reliant on sea transport, disruptions in coffee bean shipping routes have led to rising costs, with freight rates on the Europe-Asia route increasing and import-export channels for African producing countries such as Ethiopia also being affected. This article delves into how the Red Sea crisis is influencing coffee trade and explores how shipping companies are responding to the challenges. [more…]

Starbucks has announced that Brian Niccol, former CEO of Chipotle, will take over the role, officially starting on September 9. Following the announcement, the company's stock surged by over 20%, pushing its market value back above the $100 billion mark. This legendary figure in the food and beverage industry, who once led Chipotle's stock to a staggering 773% increase, now faces the challenge of reversing Starbucks' continuous decline in same-store sales and average spending per customer. This article delves into Niccol's execution strategy, the current challenges facing Starbucks, and the latest developments in the Korean and Chinese markets. [more…]

When faced with these two top-tier Gesha beans — Panama Emerald Red Label and Gesha Village Gold Label — many coffee enthusiasts often hesitate when deciding which to purchase. Both belong to the high-end specialty coffee category, yet their Chinese names, “Red” and “Gold,” can make it difficult to discern their actual grades and differences. This article provides an in-depth comparison of their characteristics, from naming origins and variety backgrounds, to growing conditions and actual pour over flavors, along with recommended extraction parameters to help you find the one that best suits your taste. [more…]