Starbucks China once launched a promotion offering "two Flat Whites for 0.01 RMB," but automatically refunded customers due to coupon issuance failures, sparking widespread dissatisfaction among consumers. The Shanghai Consumer Council stepped in to investigate. Starbucks denied accusations of "order cancellations" and "zero-cost user acquisition," emphasizing that it had fulfilled over ten thousand orders. However, lawyers pointed out that a contract is formed once the consumer makes a payment, and Starbucks' unilateral cancellation could be considered a breach of contract. This article details the full sequence of events and the legal perspective. [more…]

Deep-roast coffee beans often carry a rich bitterness reminiscent of dark chocolate along with a full-bodied mouthfeel. However, improper extraction can easily lead to unpleasant burnt or woody off-notes. This article focuses on medium-dark roasted Mandheling, Blue Mountain, and Brazilian beans, addressing three key factors—water temperature control, coffee bed management, and brew ratio—to provide practical pour over techniques. These tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and extract sweet caramel notes and a clean aftertaste, allowing even dark roast beans to showcase their delicate and balanced flavor layers. [more…]

A consumer in Hubei purchased an unopened lemonade from Mixue and discovered a small black insect inside. The store’s response has stirred heated debate, highlighting loopholes in food safety management. This article details the incident, public reactions, and several food safety issues involving the brand this year, exploring the importance of service and quality control in the food and beverage industry. [more…]

To celebrate its seventh anniversary, Manner Coffee launched a limited-time "takeaway cup" promotion where customers could receive a free cup with their delivery orders. Originally intended to boost online sales, the campaign instead caused orders to surge at stores nationwide, leading to intermittent closures and skyrocketing delivery fees and minimum order thresholds. This article delves into the origins, impacts, and controversies of the campaign, examines the critical success factors of its takeaway market strategy, and includes practical consumer advice along with industry background. [more…]

When you walk into a specialty coffee shop, are you there to enjoy a good cup of coffee or to scrutinize the barista’s skills? With the growing popularity of pour over coffee and specialty coffee culture, more and more customers consider themselves knowledgeable and feel entitled to critique the baristas’ techniques — sometimes even interfering with normal operations. This article delves into the proper etiquette when visiting coffee shops, how baristas professionally respond to critical customers, and how to appropriately express opinions about a cup of coffee without touching on the industry’s sensitive nerves. [more…]

Even if you don’t have professional coffee equipment at home, a French press remains a reliable choice for making a great cup of coffee. This article delves into the key techniques for using a French press, including how to adjust the coffee-to-water ratio using the markings on the pot, using coins to measure coffee grounds, controlling water temperature with water that has just cooled after boiling, and detailing the crucial steps of steeping and pressing. It also analyzes the flavor characteristics of coffee brewed with a French press, enabling you to consistently extract delicious coffee even under simple conditions. [more…]

Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, has been severely affected by La Niña in recent years, with coffee-growing regions facing extreme droughts and floods for three consecutive years. Production has dropped significantly, global supply has tightened, and with the rebound in consumer demand, international coffee bean prices have continued to climb. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the production declines in Brazil and Uganda, explores how La Niña disrupts coffee growth, and discusses future market supply and demand trends to help coffee enthusiasts and industry professionals stay informed and select beans with stable flavor profiles. [more…]

New Chinese-style coffee combines traditional elements such as gaiwans and Chinese herbal ingredients, sparking a market craze. But behind the glamorous packaging, is the true flavor of coffee being overlooked? This article analyzes the current state and challenges of new Chinese-style coffee, exploring how to preserve the professional essence of coffee within cultural innovation, and helping readers understand the core of coffee behind the trend. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's 2022 Q3 financial report shows that revenue increased by 65.7% year-on-year to 3.895 billion yuan, with net profit reaching 529 million yuan, successfully reversing losses. The total number of stores has surpassed 7,846, firmly holding the top position among domestic chain coffee brands. As direct-operated store growth slows, Luckin announced in December that it will reopen recruitment for partnerships in the lower-tier market, further seizing market share. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the highlights of its financial report, store strategy adjustments, and market competition dynamics. [more…]

Starbucks recently launched an event on the Douyin platform offering 0.01 RMB coupons for two Flat Whites, attracting a large number of consumers to scramble for them. However, many users reported being unable to redeem the vouchers, with the system automatically issuing refunds. Starbucks responded that it was an internal test link that had been mistakenly activated, sparking dissatisfaction among netizens. This article thoroughly outlines the incident, reactions from all parties, and discusses consumer rights and brand marketing strategies to help you understand the full picture of the event and the direction for safeguarding your rights. [more…]

Americano is a basic black coffee that many people drink daily, but when trying the Starbucks version for the first time, many are surprised by its pronounced bitterness. What exactly makes the Americano so bitter? In fact, it’s directly related to factors such as the type of coffee beans used, roast level, storage condition, and brewing parameters. This article delves into the characteristics of Starbucks’ dark roasted beans, explains the background behind the evolution of the Americano, and provides practical brewing parameters and blend suggestions to help you adjust it to your preferred taste. [more…]

Renowned Mainland China specialty coffee brand Manner is set to make its debut in the Hong Kong market under the name Maners coffee. Its first store will be located at World Trade Centre in Causeway Bay, with renovation currently underway behind hoardings. This marks the first entry of a Mainland coffee chain into Hong Kong and signals the kickoff of Manner’s southern expansion strategy. This article provides an in-depth look at the brand’s background, product features, and the challenges it faces in the Hong Kong market, offering insight into the strategy and potential behind this new move in the coffee industry. [more…]

As global coffee brands compete for a foothold in the Chinese market, a strategic shift by Yum China has drawn attention. On one hand, the company is accelerating the rollout of Italian Lavazza Coffee stores, aiming to reach 1,000 locations by 2025; on the other, it is gradually phasing out operations of its own COFFii & JOY brand. This article delves into the market strategy behind this decision and explores how Lavazza is breaking through in the fiercely competitive below-30-yuan price segment with its authentic Italian craftsmanship. [more…]

In recent years, mixology at convenience stores has become a new social favorite among young people, allowing them to create various creative drinks through simple DIY. 7-11 has piloted a self-service cocktail bar in one of its Beijing outlets, offering a variety of popular base spirits and trending recipes, enabling customers to experience alcohol-infused coffee at more affordable prices. This article delves into the origins and operation methods of convenience store mixology, and explores the feasibility and market trends of combining alcohol with coffee. [more…]

Have you ever hesitated between choosing iced Americano or hot Americano? These two seemingly simple types of Americano actually differ greatly in water temperature, aroma, and taste. This article provides an in-depth analysis through practical comparisons, exploring their brewing methods, flavor profiles, and how our senses respond to coffee at different temperatures—helping you make the best choice based on your taste preferences while mastering the key brewing parameters that affect coffee performance. [more…]

The cross-industry combination of coffee and alcohol is gradually becoming a new favorite in the food and beverage industry. "Morning C, evening A" is no longer just a skincare slogan but has evolved into a lifestyle of "morning coffee, evening drinks." Recently, the Post Coffee, a coffee brand under China Post, launched the country’s first day-coffee, night-drinks concept store in Fuzhou, debuting two locally limited-edition beverages at the same time. Since its first store in 2022, the brand has expanded to four cities with ten locations. This article will delve into how this innovative business model helps coffee brands expand [more…]

Once regarded as the dull "little black water," iced Americano has now become a favorite among coffee enthusiasts worldwide. This article will take you through the journey of how iced Americano evolved from a simple shot of espresso with water into a variety of creative pairings and visually appealing drinks, while also exploring the social phenomena and consumer psychology behind it. Whether you're a coffee newbie or a seasoned connoisseur, you’ll find inspiration and practical knowledge here. [more…]

Common issues with pour over coffee such as bitterness or wateriness often stem from incorrect grind size, improper pouring techniques, or insufficient understanding of the coffee beans’ characteristics. This article deeply analyzes common mistakes, provides practical troubleshooting tips and adjustment methods, helping you master extraction essentials accurately—whether you’re a beginner or an advanced enthusiast, you’ll find tailored solutions. [more…]

As campuses become the new battleground for coffee consumption, Luckin has seized the initiative with its 1,000 stores, while brands like Starbucks and Mixue are also aggressively expanding. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the strategies, store data, and competitive landscape of major coffee brands on campuses, and explores future trends in the campus coffee market to help you stay ahead of the latest developments in the campus beverage sector. [more…]

In recent years, home-based coffee shops have become a popular entrepreneurial choice. Many cases claim monthly revenues of up to $50,000, attracting many coffee enthusiasts eager to give it a try. However, this business model faces multiple challenges in terms of legality, cost control, and market positioning. This article delves into the actual operational conditions of home-based coffee shops, explores the risks and practical difficulties behind their profit models, and provides useful references to help you rationally assess the feasibility of entering this business. [more…]