The official rules for the 2023 World Barista Championship (WBC) and related competitions have been announced with significant adjustments, drawing widespread attention from the industry. Most notably, the WBC has finally allowed competitors to use plant-based milk and other types of animal milk when preparing milk-based coffee beverages, breaking the long-standing tradition of milk being limited to dairy only. Meanwhile, the WBrC has also revised its scoring methods and competition format, focusing more on showcasing the baristas’ skills. What are the practical changes brought about by this transformation? And how has the industry responded? Let’s take an in-depth look. [more…]

Wondering which coffee gives you the biggest caffeine boost? This article takes an in-depth look at common coffee drinks such as espresso, pour over, Americano, and instant coffee, comparing the actual milligrams of caffeine per cup. It also explains the differences between Robusta and Arabica beans, as well as the truth about decaf and low-caffeine coffee. Help you choose the most energizing coffee based on your needs. [more…]

When a brand quietly updates its profile picture on social platforms, it often signals the start of a marketing campaign. Recently, Mixue Ice Cream & Tea upgraded its iconic mascot, the Snow King, from its original chubby white look to a dazzling golden version, successfully sparking heated discussions online. This isn’t just a minor tweak to the brand’s visual identity—it’s also a strategic move tied to the “Buy Mixue, Get a Golden Necklace” promotion. This article delves into the marketing logic behind the brand’s profile picture update and how it effectively boosts brand buzz and engagement. [more…]

After contracting COVID-19, many coffee enthusiasts wonder if they can continue to enjoy their favorite brew. Based on practical experience and medical common sense, this article details whether it is appropriate to drink coffee during different symptom stages (such as fever, sore throat, headache, or after taking medication), as well as the advantages of brewing methods like pour over. Understanding these details can help you enjoy coffee more safely during your recovery while avoiding aggravating physical discomfort. [more…]

China’s coffee market is projected to surpass one trillion yuan by 2025, with the consumer base expanding to 300 million people, as competition intensifies. From Luckin overtaking Starbucks to emerging brands and international chains racing to expand, this article delves into the strategies, market data, and future trends of each camp, helping you grasp the key variables in this coffee battle. [more…]

As pandemic control measures were relaxed, many cafés and beverage shops had hoped for a rebound in customer traffic, but instead faced the dual challenges of staff absences due to infections and a backlog of delivery orders. This article delves into the real operational realities of the coffee industry after reopening, analyzes the reasons behind the decline in foot traffic, and offers practical insights and coping strategies to help both industry professionals and consumers understand the current market dynamics. [more…]

The enticing golden layer on top of an espresso shot is often seen as a hallmark of great coffee — but what exactly is it? How does it differ from regular coffee oils? This article delves into the science of crema, covering its historical background, composition, as well as coffee bean selection, machine settings, and brewing techniques to help you master the key to extracting rich crema, so your home-brewed espresso can achieve a professional standard. [more…]

To brew a cup of pour over coffee with balanced flavor and clear layers, precision in the preparation stage is essential. Many people overlook details such as how well the filter paper adheres, maintaining water temperature, grinding timing, and checking coffee dosage before pouring water, leading to uneven extraction, loss of aroma, or even distorted flavors. This article outlines four commonly neglected yet crucial preparatory steps to help you improve brewing success from the foundational stage, bringing every cup of pour over coffee closer to its ideal flavor profile. [more…]

For the first time, Starbucks China has publicly disclosed its long-term coffee procurement and export data from Yunnan. Over the past decade, it has cumulatively purchased more than 56,000 metric tons of green beans, of which 43,000 metric tons have been exported to overseas markets through its global supply chain. Beyond the numbers, this article delves into how Starbucks has helped transform Yunnan from a raw material origin into a specialty coffee region through technical support, certification systems, and retail channels, and also shares practical advice on selecting high-altitude Yunnan beans. [more…]

At the end of the year, let’s take a look at the busy and challenging year of baristas. Through real daily work and personal journeys, this article reveals the transformation from passion to professionalism, sharing extraction techniques, workplace insights, and growth advice. Whether you’re a beginner enthusiast or an experienced professional, you can find inspiration and practical references here. [more…]

As Arabica and Robusta face climate crises and threats from pests and diseases, a once-overlooked coffee variety—Liberica (also known as Large-Fruit Coffee)—is regaining attention in the scientific community. Among its variants, the naturally occurring Excelsa stands out for its disease resistance, drought tolerance, and flavor profile that closely resembles that of Arabica. It has gained popularity among growers in places like Uganda. This article delves into the characteristics, advantages, and challenges of this promising variety, offering insight into its potential role in the future of the coffee supply chain. [more…]

In recent years, small-town cafés have sparked discussions on social media platforms, with high-revenue cases inspiring many to consider entering the market. However, beneath the advantages of low rent and staffing costs lie challenges such as limited consumer purchasing power and a narrow customer base. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the current state and potential of the small-town market, offering practical strategies on customer segmentation, product pricing, and risk assessment to help aspiring entrepreneurs make rational decisions about whether opening a café in a small town is the right move. [more…]

Luckin Coffee has surpassed 7,846 stores nationwide. With market expansion, the demand for stable and fresh coffee bean supply has been growing. Recently, Luckin broke ground on its second fully self-built intelligent roasting base in Kunshan, Jiangsu, with an investment of approximately $120 million. The base is expected to commence production in 2024, achieving an annual roasting capacity of 30,000 tons. Equipped with Italian-imported machinery, combined with the Fujian base, the total annual production capacity will exceed 45,000 tons. This article takes you in-depth into how this base will support the nationwide store [more…]

Cotti Coffee, the new brand launched by Lu Zhengyao along with the core team from the original Luckin, has officially entered the Hongqiao business district in Shanghai, directly competing with brands such as Starbucks and Luckin. With a fully direct-managed and franchised expansion model, Cotti Coffee aims to reach 10,000 stores within three years, and is directly targeting the market with consumer-friendly prices ranging from 9.9 to 18.9 yuan. This article provides an in-depth analysis of its expansion strategy, product positioning, and potential impact on existing coffee brands. [more…]

The Tims coffee brand under Canadian national coffee chain Tim Hortons has officially launched its Chinese brand name “Tims天好咖啡” (Tims Tianhao Coffee). This marks the first time the brand has used a localized name since entering the Chinese market, demonstrating its commitment to deeply cultivating the Chinese consumer market. From the opening of its first store in Shanghai in 2019, to its NASDAQ listing in 2022, and now adjusting its store target to exceed 2,750 locations by 2026, how is Tims China differentiating its product offerings... [more…]

The collaboration between the new-style tea brand Heytea and the popular mobile game "Light and Night Love" was initially seen as a successful example of cross-industry partnership. However, it came to an abrupt end on the day of the official announcement due to inappropriate remarks made by staff at some franchise locations. This "shortest-lived collaboration in history," which lasted only three hours, not only damaged the brand's reputation but also exposed gaps in training and oversight within the franchise system. This article delves into the details of the incident and explores how brands can prevent similar crises from recurring. [more…]

Global Arabica coffee bean futures prices have tumbled nearly 40% from their February highs, hitting a 15-month low — yet consumers have yet to feel any substantial price drops. What factors are preventing the decline from trickling down to retail? This article delves into the reasons behind the volatility in the futures market and breaks down the cost structure of coffee shops to explain why specialty coffee remains out of reach for many. [more…]

Recently, claims have circulated online that coffee can prevent COVID-19 or even improve smell loss, but what is the truth? This article delves into research data from Northwestern University in the United States on the relationship between coffee and COVID-19 risk, clarifies the real role of coffee in pandemic prevention, and shares hands-on experiences testing whether smelling coffee can help restore the sense of smell. Understanding balanced nutrition and the immune system is key — allowing you to make more scientific dietary and lifestyle choices during the pandemic. [more…]

Have you ever been puzzled by flavor descriptions on coffee packaging like “citrus” or “berries,” only to find them unnoticeable when you actually drink it? This article starts with the first edition of the SCAA Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel in 1995 and combines research on coffee aroma chemistry to deeply analyze the scientific basis and sensory thresholds behind these flavors. It will help you understand why the same cup of coffee can feel so different depending on how it’s described, and teach you practical tasting skills for pour over coffee. [more…]

Bloom is a frequently overlooked yet crucial step in the pour over coffee process. Many beginners focus on achieving the perfect "coffee hamburger" appearance but neglect its true purpose. This article delves into the science behind blooming — from controlling water volume and timing to common mistakes made during actual brewing — helping you master this important phase that influences coffee flavor and elevate every cup of pour over you make. [more…]