With summer arriving, wearing masks for extended periods has become a daily challenge for food and beverage professionals. Recently, employees at some Luckin Coffee outlets reported that the newly distributed masks from headquarters are thinner and less breathable than expected, leading to multiple cases of skin redness, swelling, itching, and other allergic reactions. This article delves into the potential causes behind this incident and offers practical advice on selecting suitable masks for baristas, helping professionals balance hygiene and skin health. [more…]

When making homemade cold brew, slow drip filtration often becomes a deterrent. Even with properly ground beans, fine particles can clog the filter paper, making the filtration process time-consuming and laborious. This article delves into the main reasons behind slow cold brew filtration speed and provides three tested and effective methods to speed it up — including using a non-woven fabric filter bag for cold steeping, stirring properly before straining, and laying a base of coarse grounds to block fine particles. Master these techniques so you can easily enjoy clear and smooth iced brew coffee even on busy mornings. [more…]

The ongoing conflict in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region, which has persisted for nearly a year, is gradually approaching the capital Addis Ababa, impacting local society and the economy. The country’s coffee industry, which accounts for 30–40% of national export revenue, is now facing numerous challenges including unstable production regions, disrupted trade, and transportation bottlenecks. This article provides an in-depth analysis of how the conflict is affecting the coffee supply chain, and explores its potential impact on the global coffee market. [more…]

The bubble tea brand Chagee recently launched a ¥9.9 all-you-can-drink promotion and distributed 500,000 free-drink vouchers via its mini-program to attract customers. However, shortly after the event began, numerous users reported that the mini-program failed to load for extended periods, with some experiencing nearly half an hour of downtime, sparking widespread online discussion. This article analyzes the causes of the incident and provides tips for participating in similar promotional events. [more…]

Starbucks has recently introduced a new 15-minute seat reservation policy in response to the issue of customers occupying seats in its stores, and will proactively assist customers with sharing tables when the store is full. This measure was prompted by a discussion that arose after a customer handed in an exam paper left behind by someone who had been occupying a seat. This article delves into the details of the new rule, examines its effectiveness in practice, and shares practical tips on seat usage to help you more easily find a seat during busy hours. [more…]

The Lake Kivu region in Rwanda is one of the important representatives of specialty coffee in Africa. With its unique geographical environment and refined washed processing techniques, it produces coffee beans with delicate flavors and rich layers. This article will delve into the natural conditions, historical background of the Lake Kivu region, as well as the representative Twumba washing station, helping you better understand the charm of this high-altitude coffee haven. [more…]

Americano is one of the most common types of black coffee, yet many people still have only a vague understanding of how to evaluate its quality. This guide starts with the origins of Americano, delves into its brewing methods and quality variations, and provides practical tasting criteria across three key dimensions: aroma, mouthfeel, and aftertaste. It also combines professional insights to explain that the extraction of espresso and the quality of the beans are the core factors determining the flavor of an Americano, helping you order a truly great cup. [more…]

Starbucks’ annual mooncake sales season has quietly begun. This year, not only are new flavors like cheese strawberry and apple grapefruit introduced, but classic combinations of coffee and custard are also continued. However, the afternoon tea that staff both love and dread in the stores is actually the starting whistle for the mooncake KPI. This article analyzes the flavor changes and sales rhythm of Starbucks mooncake gift boxes, while revealing the real feelings of employees facing the annual “sweet mission,” helping consumers grasp the best timing and tips for choosing flavors when purchasing. [more…]

The latest bottled water testing report from the Hong Kong Consumer Council indicates that samples from Nongfu Spring and Baishan exceeded the EU limit for bromate in natural mineral water, prompting swift responses from the brands. Nongfu Spring has engaged lawyers to demand a clarification and apology from the Consumer Council, while Baishan emphasized that its product was at the threshold limit. This article explains the sources of bromate, associated health risks, and the latest developments in the incident, helping readers rationally assess the safety issues surrounding bottled water. [more…]

The smoky flavor is a key aspect that many coffee enthusiasts pay attention to when tasting, but did you know it is closely related to the degree of roasting? This article delves into how smoky notes are produced during the coffee bean roasting process, compares the distinct differences between dark and light roasts, and introduces you to the unique flavor characteristics of charcoal-roasted coffee. By exploring the critical changes during the roasting stages, it helps you more accurately understand how coffee flavors are formed. [more…]

When using an espresso machine to make espresso, insufficient extraction pressure is a common issue for many coffee enthusiasts. Even though the machine is rated for 9 bar, the actual extraction pressure often falls between 5 and 7 bar, resulting in coffee that tastes weak and overly acidic. This article delves into the relationship between pressure and puck resistance, offering three practical adjustment methods: grinding finer, increasing the dose, and applying more tamping pressure. It also provides tailored advice for different roast levels of coffee beans, such as medium-to-dark roasted blends or medium-roasted SOEs. [more…]

During the summer, the demand for ice cubes in foodservice outlets surges significantly. When ice machines can't keep up with the pace, an "ice shortage" can occur. Surprisingly, employees of the traditionally competitive McDonald's and KFC often engage in heartwarming acts of borrowing ice from one another. Beyond ice, there are many other materials that chains routinely share with each other. Behind this lies the unspoken understanding and goodwill among fellow workers. Let’s take a closer look at these touching daily acts of mutual support. [more…]

Want to enjoy coffee but worried about caffeine affecting your sleep or causing palpitations? Decaf coffee offers a solution. This article delves into the differences between natural low-caffeine and artificially decaffeinated coffee, with a special focus on the principles and flavor characteristics of the Swiss Water Process, while also comparing the innate caffeine content of the two major coffee varieties—Arabica and Robusta—to help you choose the most suitable decaf coffee based on your needs, allowing you to enjoy coffee flavor while controlling your intake. [more…]

Recently, an incident involving the public disclosure of a former employee’s ID number by a Chagee store has sparked widespread discussion, with the involved store manager being suspended. This event not only reveals loopholes in corporate management but also touches the legal red line of personal information protection. This article delves into the details of the incident, explores the legal boundaries for companies handling employee data, and offers practical privacy protection advice to help readers avoid similar risks. [more…]

Fancy coffee isn’t just milk-based coffee with latte art — it’s a diverse range of variations based on espresso. This article delves into the origins of fancy coffee and its three main categories: water-added, milk-added, and cream-based varieties. It also provides bean selection advice and practical knowledge to help readers fully understand this widely loved coffee system. [more…]

In recent days, Indonesia has been battered by heavy rainfall, triggering severe landslides and floods. These disasters not only threaten the safety of local residents but also throw major coffee-growing regions such as Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Papua into harvesting difficulties. Right during the critical harvest period for Robusta coffee beans, the adverse weather has caused fruit drop and delays in the harvest process. Coupled with the depreciation of the Indonesian rupiah and reduced output from Vietnam, the international market is facing a tightening supply of Robusta, keeping prices persistently high. This article delves into the actual impact of the disaster on the coffee industry, to [more…]

Located in the Andes Mountains of South America, Ecuador’s Loja Province nurtures world-class coffee with its high altitude and unique microclimate. The Windmill Estate La Noria has achieved consecutive top rankings in the Ecuador COE competition thanks to its Geisha variety. This article will explore how the estate evolved from a nursery base into a champion coffee origin, taking you deep into the terroir advantages of Loja Province and the key details of cultivating Geisha. [more…]

A tea shop in Zhejiang has repeatedly had takeaway orders stolen by unknown individuals. In response, the owner reluctantly posted a warning sign featuring a photo of a suspected culprit’s back, urging people not to impersonate delivery riders or customers to collect orders. The incident has sparked public discussion on takeaway safety and how shops can protect their rights. This article details the sequence of events, the effectiveness of the shop's countermeasures, as well as common anti-theft misconceptions and practical advice in the industry. [more…]

Although the recent large-scale outdoor coffee market in Fuzhou gathered over a hundred brands, the scorching temperatures of up to 30 to nearly 40 degrees Celsius significantly dampened what should have been a relaxing coffee gathering. This article delves into the actual situation on the day of the event, including the cooling measures taken by the organizers, the real feedback from vendors and visitors, as well as practical details and common issues that should be considered when hosting an outdoor market under extreme weather conditions. [more…]

The Houthi armed group in Yemen has recently launched frequent attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, with three ships targeted in a single day, causing global shipping turmoil. Among them, MSC announced the suspension of services at the Port of Djibouti, directly impacting Ethiopian coffee exports. This article delves into how the Red Sea situation is affecting the global coffee supply chain and provides practical references for traders facing soaring freight costs and unstable shipping schedules. [more…]