In recent years, crowdfunding to open a café has become a popular low-risk entrepreneurship option for many young people. By contributing just a small amount of capital, one can become a shareholder and even enjoy perks like free coffee. But can this model really help you achieve your dreams? This article delves into the motivations behind crowdfunding cafés, potential management issues, and the real operational challenges, helping readers comprehensively evaluate the feasibility and risks of this entrepreneurial approach. [more…]

The "Ice-Sucking Coconut Latte" jointly launched by Luckin and the Doraemon movie uses exclusive cooling elements to redefine the traditional coconut milk recipe. This summer-limited drink has sparked heated discussion on Xiaohongshu, with netizens divided over its "brain-freezing chill." This article analyzes how this blend of classic and innovation becomes the talk of the office—from real taste layers and the science behind the cooling technology to ideal drinking scenarios—and offers tips on how to enjoy it and discern its flavors. [more…]

Meitu and the renowned Suzhou-based specialty coffee brand “The Algebraist” have joined forces for the first time in Fujian to launch a new co-branded coffee shop inside Xiamen’s Meitu Building. This marks not only an important step for The Algebraist in expanding beyond the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai market, but also adds a uniquely aesthetic rest space to Meitu’s new headquarters. This article will take you through this distinctive café located within an office building — which is not open on weekends — along with its design philosophy and collaboration background, as well as provide practical visiting information. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts find that even when using the same coffee beans, drip bag coffee often lacks the flavor vibrancy of pour over. In fact, this is closely related to the brewing methods of the two. This article will deeply analyze why drip bag coffee tends to taste weaker, compare its differences with pour over, and introduce the characteristics of Arabica coffee beans suitable for making drip bags. It also provides practical segmented pouring techniques so you can easily brew a well-balanced cup of drip bag coffee at home. [more…]

Starbucks’ recently launched olive oil coffee has sparked a lot of discussion, with many people mistakenly assuming it’s the same as the popular bulletproof coffee. In reality, these two beverages differ significantly in their ingredient composition, nutritional benefits, and suitability for different individuals. Nutrition experts specifically warn that drinking undiluted extra virgin olive oil directly may irritate the stomach. This article delves into the formulation principles of both drinks and provides real-world tasting observations to help readers make an informed choice based on their own needs. [more…]

The city-limited fridge magnets launched by Heytea for its new store openings have sparked a collecting craze due to their locally inspired designs, with second-hand market prices soaring from 40 to 100 yuan. This article explores the reasons behind this “drink-for-me” trend, introduces the official points redemption mechanism soon to be launched, and offers practical tips and precautions for collection. [more…]

Luckin Coffee has recently teamed up with the classic anime character Doraemon to launch a collaborative series, simultaneously releasing the new flavor “Iced Sucking Coconut Latte.” This collaboration not only focuses on the preferences of the younger demographic but also engages consumers through a popular IP partnership, showcasing the brand's keen awareness of market trends. This article will delve into the characteristics of the collaborative beverage, the underlying product strategy, and how Luckin refines its products based on user feedback, while also exploring potential directions for future cross-industry collaborations. [more…]

In recent years, many cafés in China have introduced traditional Chinese snacks to their menus — from Chinese crepes to cheung fun — pairing them with coffee to create a new generation of consumer favorites. This trend not only breaks away from the conventional pairing with Western pastries but also integrates coffee into more everyday life scenarios. This article analyzes the reasons behind this phenomenon, showcases localized pairing examples from various regions, and explores whether it could become a mainstream trend in the future. [more…]

Since entering the Chinese mainland market in 2022, Blue Bottle Coffee has so far only opened three stores in Shanghai's Jing'an District and has not yet expanded to other administrative districts. This article delves into the reasons behind Blue Bottle Coffee’s choice of Jing'an, explores how its specialty coffee positioning aligns with the local consumer demographic, and reviews the rumored potential locations for its fourth store—Panlong Tiandi and Qiantan Taikoo Li—offering insights into the brand’s possible future development trajectory. [more…]

In recent years, temples have become a new hotspot for young travelers seeking Instagram-worthy experiences. Alongside burning incense and praying for blessings, a cup of Zen-inspired coffee has also sparked heated discussions on social media. From Ci Bei Coffee to various temples’ signature brews, this cross-industry fusion not only creates a brand-new consumption scene but also reflects contemporary youth’s desire for spiritual solace. This article delves into how temple coffee attracts consumers through cultural ambiance and emotional value, while also exploring how coffee businesses in 2023 are innovating in scene creation. [more…]

Recently, many customers have encountered difficulties when trying to pay with cash at Luckin Coffee stores. Staff tend to guide them toward mobile ordering, resulting in delays in the cash transaction process. This article delves into the background of the issue, presents the latest statements from official customer service, and provides specific steps for customers to communicate with staff, helping you successfully complete cash transactions. It also explores the operational logic behind this phenomenon. [more…]

Starbucks China has recently reintroduced almond milk to its menu, offering customers a new plant-based milk option. This beverage, which made a brief appearance in 2018 but failed to gain widespread popularity, is now making a comeback amid the growing trend of healthy eating. Can it become the next market favorite? This article delves into the nutritional profile, market positioning, and pairing performance of almond milk with coffee, while also exploring the potential of nut-based plant milks in specialty coffee. [more…]

The extraction time of pour over coffee is influenced by multiple factors, including pouring method, coffee dosage, coffee-to-water ratio, and grind size. This guide uses a standard coffee dosage of 15 grams as a basis, providing a detailed analysis of reference extraction times for both single-pour (一刀流) and triple-pour (三刀流) methods, while also exploring how different variables practically affect extraction time. By mastering these techniques, you can more precisely adjust your pour over parameters to optimize coffee flavor. [more…]

From being captivated by a beautifully latte-arted coffee to attempting it yourself and facing frequent mishaps, many coffee enthusiasts share this experience. This article authentically documents the complete journey of practicing latte art at home from scratch, covering key techniques such as milk frothing, pitcher-to-cup distance, and flow rate control, while also sharing common failure cases and methods for improvement. Through insights gained during actual practice, it helps readers master the basics of latte art and find their own pace of progress. [more…]

As an important category in the coffee market, although ready-to-drink coffee accounts for only about 10% of the market share, it is rapidly approaching a scale of tens of billions with its high-speed growth. Under the pressure of price wars in freshly ground coffee, how can ready-to-drink coffee maintain its position through convenience and cost-effectiveness? This article delves into the development trajectory, market landscape, consumer trends, and future challenges of ready-to-drink coffee, helping readers fully grasp this rapidly rising sector. [more…]

Bamboo tube milk tea has become an internet-famous beverage due to its unique container and premium pricing. However, recently, consumers have raised concerns that bamboo tubes might be reused after recycling, sparking discussions about food safety. This article delves into the origins of the bamboo tube milk tea controversy, explores the potential risks associated with bamboo materials, and provides expert-recommended solutions using inner liners to help readers understand how to ensure beverage hygiene and safety. [more…]

When customers make a special trip to a coffee shop only to find it closed, it not only affects their experience but may also cause them to miss out on becoming repeat customers. A community coffee shop in Nanning, Guangxi, creatively resolved this awkward situation with “Closed Door Coupons”—customers can tear off a paper slip, add the shop on WeChat, and redeem a free coffee. This thoughtful measure not only received praise from netizens but also sparked industry discussions on customer service and operational flexibility. This article takes an in-depth look at the store’s operational details and how sincerity can make up for limited business hours. [more…]

Recently, a consumer in Beijing publicly shared photos on social media showing unsold bagels from the Tims Coffee store in Wangjing being stacked directly on the floor, sparking heated discussion among netizens and prompting a brand response. This article delves into the incident, the brand’s corrective measures, and analyzes how chain coffee shops balance efficiency with hygiene management during expansion, helping readers understand common quality control issues in stores and key points for consumer rights protection. [more…]

Have you ever wondered why Mandheling always tastes bitter while Blue Mountain can be rich and sweet with a lingering aftertaste? In fact, the key to balancing a coffee’s acidity, sweetness, and bitterness doesn’t lie in its origin, but in its roast level. This article delves into how the development stage of roasting affects caramelization reactions, helping you understand the flavor differences between light and dark roasts. With examples from Kenya, Blue Mountain, and Mandheling, we analyze how classic coffee beans perform under different roast levels, helping you discover your own preferred flavor profile. [more…]

Mixue Ice Cream & Tea recently opened a new store at the summit of Mount Tai, sparking widespread discussion. Surprisingly, even in an environment of high altitude and elevated logistics costs, the prices of its drinks are only 1 yuan higher than those at lower elevations, showcasing remarkable cost control capabilities. This article will delve into the supply chain advantages behind this strategy and explore the challenges and opportunities for tea and even coffee brands in scenic area layouts, providing readers with industry insights and practical food for thought. [more…]