The Body of coffee refers to the "weight" and "fullness" in the mouthfeel, and is one of the important indicators for evaluating the quality of a cup of coffee. This article delves into the definition of Body, influencing factors, and how to adjust to your preferred rich or light mouthfeel through practical techniques such as filter selection, brewing time, and coffee bean roast level. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced pour over enthusiast, you can gain useful inspiration for coffee extraction here. [more…]

Can coffee grounds do more than deodorize and grow plants? Can they also help remove the gamey smell from meat? Practical tests show that blanching pork belly with coffee grounds not only effectively removes odor but also leaves no residual coffee flavor. This article takes an in-depth look at this kitchen creativity, shares user-tested experiences, similar practices in Korean cuisine, and provides key details on filtering and ingredient preparation so you can safely and effectively make use of coffee grounds. [more…]

Have you ever walked into a chain café during a busy period only to find a single staff member behind the counter, overwhelmed and struggling to keep up, leaving you waiting in a long queue just to get your coffee? This isn’t an isolated case but rather a reflection of an industry-wide trend where "single-staff operation" has become a common cost-reduction strategy. This article will analyze the reasons behind this approach, its impact on customer service and staff, and how to balance cost savings with quality — taking you deep into the human resource crisis facing the coffee industry today. [more…]

Iced cappuccinos are relatively rare on café menus—not because they’re hard to make, but due to taste preferences and the complexity of the process. This article will explore the origin of the name “cappuccino” and how it’s traditionally prepared hot, delve into the challenges of making an iced version, and guide readers in using a common household French press to easily create smooth iced milk foam. Together, these elements form a refreshing yet richly coffee-flavored iced cappuccino—perfect for coffee enthusiasts to try at home. [more…]

Recently, international coffee market prices have continued to climb, with both Robusta and Arabica varieties facing supply challenges. From droughts in Brazil to soaring purchase prices in Vietnam, coupled with the exchange rate effects driven by a weakening dollar, the global coffee industry chain is experiencing multiple variables. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the supply and demand situations and price-driving factors in each major producing region, helping coffee professionals and enthusiasts grasp market trends. [more…]

This variable-speed flat-bottom filter cup from Hero features a knob design that allows you to switch between three water flow modes: immersion, slow, and steady. It’s beginner-friendly and compatible with 185 flat-bottom filter papers. We tested it using washed Hua Hudie and Mozart Geisha beans, pairing it with three-stage pouring and cold brew pour over methods. We’ve compiled detailed parameters and flavor profiles to help you find the most suitable extraction method. [more…]

In recent years, Panama’s Volcán region has gained international recognition for its high-quality Geisha coffee beans, with the Hartmann Estate being a pioneering representative. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the region’s geographical advantages, the Hartmann family’s cultivation history, and a detailed breakdown of the flavor profile and optimal pour over parameters for their anaerobic natural Geisha beans—helping you master the brewing techniques of this popular coffee variety. [more…]

Latte art is an important showcase of a barista’s skill, but achieving a perfect design doesn’t always go as planned. This article takes you through those unexpectedly born abstract latte art pieces, including impromptu creations that strikingly resemble celebrities, and analyzes the reasons behind latte art mishaps. It also explores the actual impact of latte art on coffee flavor, as well as the importance of continuous practice for baristas, helping you gain a deeper understanding of this art form that combines visuals with technique. [more…]

Xiaomi has opened its first global Xiaomi Cafe in Milan, Italy, blending smart technology with Italian coffee culture to create an immersive experience space. In addition to offering coffee, light meals, and cocktails, the cafe also integrates diverse products such as smartphones and cars into a home-like setting, allowing customers to personally experience the charm of Xiaomi’s smart ecosystem. This article will take you deep into the design philosophy, service offerings, and how this cross-industry coffee shop redefines the brand-user relationship. [more…]

When brewing coffee at home, the grinder is a key factor in flavor performance. Faced with numerous options ranging from budget to premium on the market, beginners often don’t know where to start. This article analyzes grind uniformity, convenience, and price ranges by starting with the differences in burr designs between hand-cranked and electric grinders, and provides specific recommendations for budgets under a thousand yuan and for advanced needs to help you find the most suitable grinding tool. [more…]

Using the same grinder and grind setting, have you noticed significant differences in the fineness of grounds from different coffee beans? This is closely related to the density and brittleness of the beans. Altitude affects bean density, while roast level alters their brittleness, which in turn changes the grinding performance. Through experimental analysis, this article explains why deep and light roasts produce different particle sizes under the same settings, and how that impacts extraction quality—helping you adjust your grinding strategy to avoid over-extraction and paper filter clogging. [more…]

When customers with children are being disruptive in a café and affecting other guests, how should the owner draw the line in management? Recently, a café faced backlash after failing to promptly stop noisy children—instead, a regular customer stepped in to intervene, which led to a complaint from the parents, sparking widespread discussion. This article delves into the challenges cafés face in maintaining a quiet environment, analyzes the responsibilities of the owner, parents, and customers, and offers practical management suggestions and communication tips to help both business owners and consumers create a more welcoming space together. [more…]

Starbucks originally offered a 3.8 Women’s Day promotion where two large drinks were priced at 49.9 yuan, but a system glitch allowed some customers to successfully place orders at just 9 yuan, sparking a shopping frenzy on social media platforms. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the incident, including when the system was fixed, real user experiences, and an analysis of how this unexpected event impacts pricing strategies in the coffee market. [more…]

Robusta beans are often considered suitable only for espresso, but they can also reveal their potential through pour over brewing. This article explores the wet aroma, mouthfeel, and performance upon cooling through a pour over experiment using deeply roasted Vietnamese Robusta beans, while comparing them with Arabica. It also shares practical extraction parameters to help you understand why Robusta is less commonly seen in specialty pour over brewing, while also pointing out the progress made by some high-quality Robusta beans. [more…]

Have you ever noticed a thin "oily sheen" floating on the surface of your pour over, cold brew, or siphon coffee as it cools down? Many people mistakenly assume this is a sign of spoilage or contamination, but in fact, it’s a phenomenon where the natural oils contained within the coffee beans become visible under certain conditions. This article will explore why these oils only become visible to the naked eye after the coffee cools, starting with the principle of condensation, and will also examine how different brewing equipment affects the degree to which coffee oils appear on the surface. [more…]

The latest weather forecasts indicate that the El Niño phenomenon, which has continued to impact the globe, is expected to end around April 2024. This will be followed by a brief neutral phase, with La Niña likely forming between June and August and influencing the entire second half of the year. This will bring a new round of climate challenges to major coffee-producing regions such as Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam, further disrupting coffee supply and price trends. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the specific impacts of these two major climate phenomena on coffee cultivation, helping readers stay informed on market dynamics and potential developments. [more…]

Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee has long been hailed as the pinnacle of the coffee world, renowned for its unique flavor profile and meticulously managed cultivation practices. This article delves into the growing environment of Blue Mountain coffee, the evolution of its varieties, the stringent quality control mechanisms, as well as the history and production techniques of the Clifton Estate. It also provides brewing recommendations and flavor insights for the pour over preparation of a well-known brand’s Blue Mountain No. 1, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of this globally celebrated specialty coffee. [more…]

As the number of orders at Luckin Coffee stores continues to rise, the highly efficient fully automatic coffee machines, under sustained high-intensity operation, are facing an increasing number of malfunctions. From bean hopper clogs to broken steam wands, and even issues such as “eating coffee beans,” these problems not only affect operational efficiency but may also reduce customer experience. This article delves into the causes behind these common malfunctions and provides practical equipment maintenance suggestions to help operators maintain their coffee machines in optimal condition. [more…]

Many beginners opt for flat-bottom drippers when brewing pour over coffee because they are easy to use and forgiving. But do you know why flat-bottom drippers are more beginner-friendly? This article provides an in-depth analysis of the differences between flat-bottom and cone-shaped drippers in terms of coffee bed formation, water flow rate, and rib design. Taking cake drippers as an example, it also introduces the features of several common designs on the market such as the Melitta 101 and Torch donut dripper, helping you master brewing strategies suited for flat-bottom drippers. [more…]

Cold drip coffee is beloved for its unique fermented wine-like aroma and rich mouthfeel, but this flavor does not come from alcohol—it is the result of cold brewing and low-temperature aging. This article will delve into the key brewing parameters of cold drip, including the coffee-to-water ratio, drip rate settings, and aging conditions. It also explains why freshly extracted cold drip is not suitable for direct consumption, and how low-temperature environments can bring out the coffee’s intense fruity notes and wine-like undertones. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your technique, you’ll gain professional-level insights into making cold drip coffee. [more…]