Starbucks has introduced a new feature in its North American stores that allows customers to tip baristas via card payment at checkout. While aimed at increasing service staff income, it has led to awkwardness on both sides. This article delves into the operation process of the new policy, real feedback from employees and customers, and reviews the evolution of Starbucks’ digital tipping function since 2014, helping readers understand the role and controversies of tipping culture in coffee consumption. [more…]

Did you know that ordering an Americano in Italy might get you a shot of espresso and a cup of hot water to mix yourself? Italians’ devotion to espresso isn’t just about taste — it’s deeply tied to cultural identity. This article will explore why espresso is seen as a national symbol, delving into its historical roots, social evolution, and even its UNESCO intangible cultural heritage nomination, to help you understand the big meaning behind this small cup of coffee. [more…]

Seesaw Coffee has opened its first-ever pour over-themed store on Shanghai’s Hengshan Road and simultaneously launched a nationwide pour over interaction event. In addition to exploring the highlights of this new store, this article will also share practical tips and parameter recommendations for five common home coffee brewing methods—including pour over, French press, and moka pot—to help coffee enthusiasts brew professional-level coffee at home. [more…]

Over the past decade, single-origin coffee has almost become synonymous with specialty coffee. However, recent trends in the global market and competitions show that high-quality blended beans are regaining attention. This shift is driven not only by climate and cost factors but also reflects consumers' growing demand for flavor consistency. This article delves into how blends have evolved from being undervalued to becoming a new focal point in the industry, and shares key technical insights and market perspectives on expert blending. [more…]

The charm of pour over coffee lies in the mastery of details, and pouring techniques are the core variable that influences extraction texture. This article delves into the interplay between spraying and immersion extraction, helping you understand how the number of pour stages affects the concentration curve. It also reveals the science behind circular pouring—how it reduces turbulence and optimizes flavor balance. Whether you're a beginner seeking a stable starting point or an advanced enthusiast fine-tuning the details, mastering these key mechanisms can elevate the performance of single-origin coffee to the next level. [more…]

Gathering around a tea stove for tea has become a popular winter social activity and a favored pastime among many young people. From Chengdu to cities across the country, teahouses have introduced tea stove experiences, with some enthusiasts even bringing their own equipment outdoors to brew tea while enjoying grilled treats in the winter warmth. This article will delve into the cultural significance behind this trend, explore why it has become so popular, and offer practical tips and precautions for brewing tea this way. [more…]

Stepping into Qatar, besides the World Cup craze, you must not miss the region’s unique Arabic coffee culture. From the historical roots of Gahwa, the gestures of hospitality, to the secret recipes of saffron and cardamom, this article takes you deep into a cup of Qatari coffee that carries millennia of tradition — teaching you the proper etiquette for drinking and the secrets to brewing it. [more…]

Are you constantly troubled by coffee dust flying or sticking when grinding? This is often related to the oils in dark roast beans and ambient static electricity. This article delves into these two main causes and provides practical troubleshooting tips, including a method of pre-treating coffee beans with a wet spoon to prevent static electricity—helping you improve grinding efficiency, reduce coffee powder waste, and is suitable for both hand grinders and electric grinder users. [more…]

Mixue Ice Cream & Tea, a well-known affordable tea beverage brand in China, has recently accelerated its overseas expansion. It first entered South Korea and then set its sights on Tokyo’s Omotesando district to open its first store in Japan. Starting from Vietnam, it has gradually expanded to multiple Southeast Asian countries and now operates over a thousand overseas stores globally. This article provides an in-depth analysis of Mixue’s internationalization strategy, exploring how it stands out in the highly competitive new-style tea beverage market in Asia, and examines its potential impact on local beverage shops and specialty coffee brands. [more…]

Want to dive deep into the entire process of Yunnan coffee — from planting to harvest? In recent years, Yunnan’s coffee-growing regions have launched volunteer programs and coffee tree adoption initiatives, paired with six themed travel routes that let participants experience the daily life of coffee farmers firsthand. This article breaks down the formats of these activities, the real benefits you can gain, and important things to note, taking you on an exploration of this key hub of specialty coffee in China. [more…]

As the weather gets cooler, pour over coffee tends to cool down quickly, leading many to consider using a thermos to extend drinking time. This article takes washed Yirgacheffe Guji Dingding as an example, conducting a real-world test by pouring freshly brewed coffee into a 316 stainless steel thermos. We track the temperature changes and flavor performance hourly—from hot to warm, then to slightly cool—monitoring the aroma and taste transformation over a full 6 hours. This helps you understand the optimal drinking window and offers practical suggestions. [more…]

The first quarterly financial report since Tim Hortons China’s NASDAQ listing shows that its total net revenue in the third quarter reached 306 million RMB, a year-on-year surge of nearly 70%, setting a new record high for a single quarter. Beyond the strong financial performance, the brand is also accelerating its store network expansion and actively developing the ready-to-drink (RTD) market. This article will provide a detailed analysis of Tim Hortons China’s latest financial data, store expansion pace, strategies for various types of stores, and the strategic layout of RTD coffee, helping readers gain an in-depth understanding of this [more…]

Global food giant Nestlé has completely banned the promotion of sugary drinks, candies, and ice creams to children under 16 from July 1, 2023, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to a “sugar-reduction” transformation. At the same time, Nestlé has set financial targets for 2025 and launched several new low-sugar, low-fat coffee products to attract younger consumers. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the market strategy behind Nestlé’s policy, the health trend, as well as the low-sugar coffee strategies of competitors such as T97 and Nongfu Spring. [more…]

The pandemic has transformed the consumer market, yet paradoxically led to growth in the number of independent coffee shops. But behind the high closure rates, how have successful shops broken through the challenges? This article dissects the core essentials of post-pandemic shop opening in depth—from precise customer segmentation, cost management, product design to service optimization—offering a practical, operation-oriented framework to help aspiring entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls and build a coffee space with strong risk resilience. [more…]

Blue Bottle Coffee has opened its third mainland China store in Shanghai’s Jing’an District at Zhang Yuan, blending the architectural aesthetics of Shikumen with locally inspired creative desserts. The new location introduces its signature scallion oil waffles and a first-time launch of honey sea salt latte. This article delves into the highlights of the new store design, the recipe behind the limited-edition coffee beans, and the best way to enjoy this East-meets-West flavor combination. [more…]

Want your light-roast single-origin espresso (SOE) to taste smoother and more flavorful? Many people only experience sharp acidity and thin body after extraction. The key lies in understanding the characteristics of light-roast beans and adjusting extraction parameters according to different purposes. This article will guide you from basic principles, breaking down the essentials of light-roast SOE extraction. It provides practical steps — from a universal formula to fine-tuning based on use — so whether you drink it straight, add milk, or make an americano, you can extract a balanced and layered cup. [more…]

The century-old Italian coffee brand Lavazza recently announced the full acquisition of MaxiCoffee, France’s leading online coffee retailer. This move not only strengthens Lavazza’s presence in the French market but also highlights the brand's strategic ambition in the e-commerce sector. As France’s largest online platform for coffee beans and equipment, MaxiCoffee boasts a rich product lineup and physical retail locations. How will it collaborate and grow with Lavazza? This article provides an in-depth analysis of the deal. [more…]

Amid the global food and beverage industry being impacted by the pandemic, Starbucks has turned to China’s county-level markets in search of new growth. By accelerating store expansion and adjusting its operational strategies, Starbucks aims to create new consumption scenarios across more than 300 cities, including nearly 3,000 county-level markets. This article delves into how Starbucks is leveraging its ‘Third Place’ business model to meet the social and environmental needs of county-level consumers, as well as the growth logic and market layout strategies behind this move. [more…]

Making a perfect shot of espresso at home may seem simple, but it’s full of detailed challenges. From bean selection and grinding to tamping and extraction, each step can affect the final flavor. This guide will delve into common mistakes—such as the risks of using pre-ground coffee, channeling caused by improper tamping, and the burnt, bitter taste resulting from delayed extraction—and recommend medium-dark roasted beans suitable for everyday home use to help you improve your extraction quality and enjoy a professional-level coffee experience. [more…]

Nayuki Tea recently initiated an upgrade to its brand visual identity system (VI), changing 「奈雪の茶」 to 「奈雪的茶」, replacing the English logo NAYUKI with the pinyin NAIXUE, and simultaneously updating the font style. This change made its debut at a new store in Nanning, Guangxi, and is expected to gradually roll out across nearly 1,000 directly operated stores nationwide. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the market strategy behind the brand upgrade, the risks associated with the Japanese label, and how Nayuki is using visual redesign to reinforce its brand positioning. [more…]