Finca Carmen, the 2023 Panama Best of Panama (BOP) Washed Category Champion, set a new scoring record with 96.5 points, and its green beans were auctioned at $10,005 per kilogram. This champion farm, located in the Volcán region at an altitude of 1,750 meters, not only shares the title of Panama’s highest-altitude Geisha-growing area with Elida but also nurtures ultimate flavors through 60 years of family management and a 60% pristine forest environment. This article delves into its terroir advantages, cultivation management, and processing. [more…]

When your pour over coffee tastes bitter, many people’s first instinct is to cut off the final dripping stage. However, bitterness can stem from multiple factors, not just issues during extraction. This article delves into the sources of bitterness in coffee, helping you distinguish whether the off-flavor is caused by over-extraction or an overly dark roast, and provides practical pour over parameter adjustments—such as grind size, water temperature, and brewing time—to help you more accurately achieve extraction balance and brew coffee with richer flavor layers. [more…]

Since its debut in 2017, Hua Kui coffee has been a sought-after natural-processed star bean among specialty coffee enthusiasts, especially favored by pour over players who appreciate fruity acidity and aromatic profiles. From Hua Kui 1.0 to the latest Hua Kui 8.0, each yearly version has undergone subtle evolution. This article delves into the regional background of Hua Kui, the meaning behind its version numbering, and compares the actual flavor differences between Hua Kui 8.0 and 7.0, while also debunking a common myth: whether Hua Kui is the same as Geisha. [more…]

What kind of sparks fly when a chain tea brand meets a popular female-oriented game? On its first day of opening in Shanghai, the Guming x Love and Deep Space collaboration pop-up store received over 5,000 pre-orders in just two minutes, setting an astonishing record. This article takes an in-depth look at this classic case of fan economy—from the details of event preparation, on-site operational challenges, to the key success factors of IP collaborations—to help you understand the business logic and consumer psychology behind viral hits. [more…]

Recently, Manner Coffee has been repeatedly featured in news reports about physical altercations between staff and customers, drawing public attention to the employee management issues of rapidly expanding brands. This article provides an in-depth analysis of a real case from a store in a shopping mall on May 22, exploring how high-intensity working conditions affect service quality. It also offers practical insights into workforce allocation and salary structures within the industry, helping readers understand the operational realities behind the coffee business. [more…]

As a major global exporter of coffee and pepper, Vietnam has recently been grappling with cargo theft at its ports. Multiple incidents at Port of Ghilai have resulted in the theft of over 19 tonnes of goods, causing significant losses to businesses. Compounded by the drought triggered by the El Niño phenomenon, Vietnam’s coffee and pepper production has declined, further driving up export prices. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the incident, its impact on the industry, and explores how Vietnamese exporters are coping with the credibility crisis and shifting market conditions. [more…]

Take an in-depth visit to the Montreal Estate in Tolima, Colombia, and discover how this specialty coffee farm—once ranked 6th in the COE and which went on to win the championship with its Geisha in 2023—creates unique flavors through high-altitude terroir and exquisite post-harvest processing techniques. From the growing environment, variety characteristics, to the actual extraction parameters of the champion coffee, this provides practical tasting and brewing guidance for pour over enthusiasts. [more…]

Even without a professional semi-automatic or fully automatic coffee machine at home, you can still extract coffee close to espresso using a high-pressure hand pump or a moka pot. However, achieving the silky and delicate texture of café-style lattes or cappuccinos remains a key challenge—mastering the milk foam. This article dives deep into the science behind milk frothing and guides you step-by-step on how to create the perfect foam at home using an electric milk frother. It also addresses common issues such as overly thick foam or uneven surfaces, offering practical tips to solve them. [more…]

There is a wide variety of coffee beverages and brewing methods, which often confuse beginners. This article provides a detailed explanation of the definitions and characteristics of espresso, Americano, pour over, and immersion coffee, while also delving into the fundamental differences between three-stage and single-stage pour over brewing. It helps readers build a clear understanding of coffee knowledge and offers practical bean selection advice along with reference extraction parameters. [more…]

Brazil’s new coffee harvest is progressing faster than in previous years, but sales have not kept pace, with port congestion and fluctuating tax policies becoming key obstacles. As the congress rejects unfavorable tax reforms, the market expects a gradual recovery. This article analyzes the latest production and sales trends of Brazilian coffee and explores the practical impact of policy shifts on the global supply chain and pour over enthusiasts. [more…]

The 2024 Costa Rica Cup of Excellence (COE) Washed Category Champion was won by Finca Santa Teresa in the Tarrazú region with a score of 92.04. How does this high-altitude farm, situated between 1,900 and 2,050 meters above sea level, produce a coffee that earned unanimous praise from international judges through refined washed processing and sustainable management? This article delves into its varietal selection, geographical advantages, and the journey from 8th place in 2022 to champion, while also highlighting... [more…]

Did you know the history of cream coffee can be traced back to 17th-century Austria? From the original recipes of early Viennese coffee houses to its evolution into the familiar cappuccino we know today, and even the “Vienna-style” specialty drinks beloved by Korean influencers—this article will take you on a journey through the century-long fusion of cream and coffee. Not only does it explain the traditional methods for making Café Viennois and Espresso con Panna, but it also provides a detailed step-by-step guide to recreating the Korean-style Vienna coffee, so you can grasp everything from history to hands-on practice in one go. [more…]

To become a professional barista, in addition to hands-on practice, systematic reading is key. This book list covers everything from coffee fundamentals and pour over techniques to roasting and extraction science, helping you build a comprehensive coffee knowledge system. Whether you're a beginner coffee enthusiast or a professional looking to refine your skills, these 17 specialized books offer practical guidance and answer your questions about the brewing process. [more…]

Cold brew coffee is usually known for its clean and simple flavor profile, but what if you add fruit to the mix? Can it create a beverage with rich layers of taste? In this article, we conduct practical tests using four different fruit and coffee bean combinations — including blueberries, grapes, lemons, and peaches — analyzing in detail the flavor performance of each pairing, sharing lessons learned from trial and error, and providing recipes and methods for extended drinks such as cold brew latte and young coconut cold brew. This serves as inspiration and a practical reference for readers who enjoy DIY cold brew at home. [more…]

Recently, Manner Coffee has been hit by two consecutive incidents of intense disputes between staff and customers — ranging from spilled coffee powder to physical altercations — highlighting underlying concerns amid the rapid expansion of the coffee industry. This article delves into the human resource allocation issues behind these events, explores how to maintain service efficiency while safeguarding employee mental health, and offers improvement suggestions for both consumers and the industry. [more…]

In the Guangdong region, where the climate is humid and rainy, many people suffer from excessive internal dampness. Traditional methods for dispelling dampness, such as herbal teas or medicated diets, are effective but often difficult to maintain due to taste or slow results. Recent perspectives suggest that moderate coffee consumption may also help regulate a damp-prone constitution. This article delves into the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles behind coffee's role in eliminating dampness, explains its mechanisms of action, highlights two types of constitutions for whom coffee is not recommended for this purpose, and provides practical drinking advice. [more…]

The new energy vehicle brand NIO is extending its coffee service to battery swap station scenarios. The Minxin Tea City battery swap station in Shanghai has pioneered the introduction of a fully automatic coffee machine and robotic arm delivery system. Car owners can order freshly ground coffee via a mobile mini-program, with the robotic arm precisely delivering the drink to their car window, while bottled beverages are handled by staff. This article details the service operation process, user feedback from real-world testing, and explores the possibilities for future nationwide expansion along with safety considerations. [more…]

Starting June 20, Starbucks upgraded its Starbucks Rewards program to a four-tier membership system, adding the new Diamond Tier. This article details the upgrade requirements, new benefits such as priority preparation for Starbucks Now and access to the Roastery experience, as well as the co-branded program with Hilton. It also analyzes practicality and user feedback to help regular customers evaluate whether it’s worth striving for the higher-tier membership. [more…]

According to the latest data from the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC), the country’s coffee output in May 2024 exceeded 1.12 million bags, skyrocketing by nearly 40% year-on-year, reversing the production decline caused by the La Niña phenomenon last year. Export performance has also rebounded, but domestic prices have slightly decreased due to fluctuations in international futures and exchange rates. This article delves into the key factors behind the production recovery, the reasons for market price changes, and introduces the "Colombian Diversity" coffee quality competition organized by the FNC. [more…]

At the 28th Best of Panama (BOP) competition in 2024, Dark Moon Estate’s Chiroso variety scored an impressive 94.1 points to win the multi-variety category championship. This coffee from the Boquete region has transformed from former vegetable farmland into a biologically friendly estate — reaching the world stage in just six years. This article delves into the transformation journey of Dark Moon Estate, the growing advantages of Boquete, and the unique charm of the Chiroso variety, offering insight into the agronomic wisdom behind specialty coffee. [more…]