Category: Coffee Knowledge
Three Key Methods to Chill Pour Over Coffee: Ice Layering, Pre-Chilling, and Direct Ice Addition — A Flavor Comparison
Want to enjoy a refreshing yet complex cup of iced pour over coffee in summer? This article delves into three popular cooling techniques — ice layering, pre-chilling, and direct ice addition — comparing each one step-by-step in terms of operation, cooling efficiency, and final flavor profile. Using the classic Emerald Estate Green Label Geisha as an example, we’ll explore how different methods affect the coffee’s acidity-sweetness balance and aroma layers, helping you find the best iced pour over brewing method for your taste. [more…]
Solutions to Café Photography Controversies: 5 Ways to Balance Customer Experience and Commercial Photography
With the rise of social media, cafés have become popular photo spots, but this has also led to conflicts between café owners and customers. This article delves into the pros and cons of café photography, analyzes the reasons why owners impose restrictions, and offers practical suggestions for balancing commercial shoots with the experience of regular customers. It helps readers understand both perspectives and find possible ways to coexist harmoniously. [more…]
James Freeman of Blue Bottle Brings 1950s Lever Machine Coffee Show in Shanghai – A Full Breakdown of the Flavor Omakase
James Freeman, founder of Blue Bottle Coffee, personally came to Taiwan and collaborated with the R&D team to create an exclusive coffee experience at the first Blue Bottle Studio in Shanghai. From extremely light-roasted Sumatra white coffee to 1950s FAEMA lever machine-brewed espresso 1950, paired with creative East-meets-West beverages, the event presented a full six-course coffee Omakase. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the highlights of the event, equipment features, and flavor profiles. [more…]
What water temperature should you use for pour over coffee? Is 92°C the golden rule or a misconception? Real tests reveal the answer.
When brewing coffee, water temperature is one of the most critical yet often misunderstood variables. Most guides recommend a range of 86–93°C, but does it really have to be strictly controlled at 92°C? This article conducts practical tests comparing light roast and dark roast coffee beans, analyzes the actual performance of direct hot water extraction, and deeply explores the ideal temperature ranges suited for different roast levels — helping you find your own optimal brewing temperature. [more…]
Beginner’s Guide to Pour Over Coffee: Avoid 5 Common Extraction Mistakes & Master Flavor Essentials
When self-learning pour over coffee, many enthusiasts often affect flavor performance due to misunderstandings of basic principles. This article deeply analyzes five of the most common misconceptions, including over-reliance on brewing techniques, controversy over blooming timing, using bloom expansion to judge freshness, incorrect flow restriction to reduce bitterness, and blindly pursuing the Golden Cup standard. By clarifying the interaction between water temperature, grind size, and brew ratio, it helps coffee lovers establish the correct extraction logic, allowing each coffee bean to showcase its unique flavor profile. [more…]
Starbucks Summer New Arrivals: Berry Iced Drinks with Raspberry Popping Pearls – A New Texture and Ingredient Experience
This summer, Starbucks has launched a brand-new taste experience by introducing raspberry-flavored popping pearls (Pearls) into three berry-flavored Refreshers iced drinks for the first time, bringing a delightful surprise to coffee lovers who enjoy innovative flavors. This creative move was teased by brand executives during an earnings call, marking a new direction for Starbucks in texture and ingredient offerings in the coming years. This article details the new product combinations, pricing strategy, and looks back at Starbucks’ previous attempts with pearl-style ingredients. [more…]
Tims teams up with Laoshan White Flower Snake Grass Water to launch a new cold brew product, sparking polarized reactions locally in Qingdao
Tims Coffee has collaborated with Qingdao's Laoshan Mineral Water to launch a Laoshan White Flower Snake Grass Water cold brew coffee, available exclusively in the Qingdao area. This unique blend, dubbed the "biochemical weapon of the beverage world," has sparked heated discussions among locals and netizens nationwide. This article will take an in-depth look at the creative background and flavor profile of this "hardcore coffee," as well as revisit the cross-industry history between White Flower Snake Grass Water and coffee. [more…]
Can you continue extracting after an interrupted espresso shot? A practical test on how segmented extraction affects coffee flavor and concentration
When brewing espresso, if the extraction is accidentally stopped midway, can you restart the machine to complete it? This article presents a practical test of three scenarios—full extraction, mid-way interruption, and near-end interruption—to deeply explore the actual effects of segmented extraction on the color, taste, and concentration of the espresso. It also analyzes the reasons behind changes in flow rate and extraction efficiency from the principles of pressurized extraction, providing clear operational advice and flavor judgment references for both professionals and enthusiasts. [more…]
Cold Cup Test: Key Factors Affecting Pour Over and Espresso Flavor
Many coffee enthusiasts are accustomed to preheating cups to maintain coffee temperature, but in recent years, more and more professionals have found that using cups at room temperature or even chilled can actually highlight the subtle flavors of coffee. Especially during hot summer months, chilled cups not only prevent the coffee from being too hot to drink, but also help bring out the layered aromas of the coffee more clearly. This article will explore, through practical testing, how chilled cups affect both espresso and pour over coffee, giving you insight into how temperature changes the overall coffee drinking experience. [more…]
Shenzhen Coffee Festival Hit by Severe Flooding: Power Outages, Leaks, and Sewage Backflow; Event Postponed with Compensation Plan Announced
During this year’s May Day holiday, the Shenzhen Coffee Festival turned into a disaster scene due to rare heavy rainfall. The makeshift stall canopies suffered severe water leakage, a sudden power outage hit the entire venue, and the overwhelmed drainage system caused sewage backflow, catching participants and vendors off guard. This article details the full sequence of events, analyzes disaster preparedness gaps in outdoor events, and provides the latest official information on the postponement and compensation, helping you stay informed on how to proceed. [more…]
Controversy Over Harbin Pharmaceutical’s Blue Bottle Latte: Analyzing the Safety Risks of Mixing Oral Liquid with Coffee
The blue bottle latte and zinc wish latte launched at the former site of Harbin Pharmaceutical’s Sixth Factory incorporate the iconic small blue bottle oral liquid into coffee, sparking discussions about medication safety. Are the combinations of these Class A over-the-counter medications with caffeine or milk compliant? This article details the potential risks, regulatory basis, and key details consumers should pay attention to. [more…]
Floods in Indonesia’s Sulawesi Devastate Robusta-Growing Regions, Coffee Prices May Rise
Recent heavy rainfall in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi Province has triggered severe floods and landslides, causing extensive damage to local Robusta coffee-growing areas. Farmland and infrastructure during the harvest season have been hit hard. This article provides an in-depth analysis of how the disaster impacts the global Robusta supply chain, explores future coffee price trends, and offers purchasing advice to help readers stay on top of market developments. [more…]
A Complete Guide to Coffee Cultivation in Puerto Rico: History, Varieties, and the Road to Revival
Although a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico boasts a unique coffee-growing tradition. From its introduction during Spanish colonial rule in the 18th century, to becoming the world’s seventh-largest coffee producer by the late 19th century, and its subsequent recovery following devastating hurricanes in recent years—the coffee story of this Caribbean island is full of ups and downs. This article delves into the historical background, main varieties, regional characteristics, and the evolution of processing techniques of Puerto Rican coffee, offering you insight into the flavor potential of this Caribbean gem. [more…]
The Key to Stable Espresso Extraction: Four Details for Purer Flavor
The extraction quality of espresso isn’t just about the beans and grind size—it’s also hidden in the details of daily operation. This article takes an in-depth look at four often-overlooked key habits: the necessity of preheating and releasing water before extraction, the technique of removing the portafilter immediately to prevent scorching, avoiding the flavor and equipment damage caused by leaving the portafilter locked in for extended periods, and the deep cleaning method for the brew head crevices. Mastering these practical points can effectively enhance the pure flavor of every shot of espresso and extend the lifespan of your machine. [more…]
Analysis of Common Failures in Dirty Coffee Layering & Secrets to Perfect Execution
Dirty coffee is beloved for its striking visual layering effect, but many people encounter issues such as indistinct layers or mixing between coffee and milk when making it at home. This article delves into four common causes of failure — including excessive extraction impact, insufficient espresso concentration, improper cup selection, and overly thin milk texture — and provides practical solutions such as the buffered pour method, bean selection tips, suitable cup types, and methods for making purified milk, helping you consistently achieve a well-layered drink with a flavor that transitions smoothly from strong to mild. [more…]
In-depth Analysis of the Empty Takeaway Box Incident: How a Tea Brand Fell into a Trust Crisis
When netizens spontaneously mourned the passing of a young individual, several well-known tea brands responded with empty packaging boxes and plain water. This widely publicized "empty box incident" not only exposed operational chaos in some stores but also touched on core issues of consumer rights. This article will dissect the full course of the incident, analyze the response measures taken by the involved companies, and provide practical advice for identifying order anomalies. [more…]
Wuhan coffee shop visits go viral in a craze of popularity!The "Allergic Sister" incident drives a surge in sales of the same drink
A woman in Wuhan, who claimed to have had an allergic reaction after drinking coffee, demanded refunds from 41 coffee shops in a short period of time, shocking the industry. After the incident went public, many coffee enthusiasts and tourists specifically visited the involved stores in support, and some shops even capitalized on the trend by launching the "Allergic Sister's same drink," successfully attracting a large number of customers. This wave of store-visiting craze sparked by the controversy not only helped the affected shops make a brief comeback but also made us reflect on how the coffee industry can handle sudden crises and convert traffic. [more…]
Vietnam’s Coffee Production Crisis: How Extreme Weather and Bollworms Threaten Robusta Supply
In recent years, Vietnam — the world’s leading producer of Robusta coffee — has been grappling with the dual challenges of extreme heat and water shortages. Not only are farmers struggling with irrigation, but the rapid spread of bollworms is also threatening the health of coffee trees. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the current drought conditions and pest situation in Vietnam’s major coffee-growing regions, as well as how these factors are impacting future coffee yields and market trends, helping readers stay informed on the latest developments in the global coffee supply chain. [more…]
In-depth Analysis of the Hawaii Kona Coffee Region: The Perfect Combination of Typica Variety, Volcanic Soil, and Washed Processing
Want to understand how one of the world’s top coffees—Kona coffee—is born? This article takes you deep into the Kona region of Hawaii’s Big Island, offering a comprehensive analysis of this premium coffee renowned for its clean and gentle flavor profile. From geographical environment, climate conditions, and historical background, to the characteristics of the Typica variety and washed processing method, this piece provides practical inspiration for both coffee enthusiasts and industry professionals in bean selection and tasting. [more…]
Should you slurp when drinking pour over coffee? An analysis of applying cupping techniques to everyday brewing
Slurping is a common tasting method in professional cupping, but many pour over enthusiasts have also started trying it. Can this technique enhance your everyday pour over experience? This article delves into the science behind slurping, compares its similarities and differences between cupping and pour over scenarios, and provides correct procedures to help you more accurately capture the aroma and flavor layers of coffee. [more…]