In 2022, WBC (World Barista Championship) runner-up Morgan Eckroth smashed a coffee cup on stage, drawing widespread attention. This symbolic act reflected her deep reflection on the current state of the specialty coffee industry. By selecting the endangered variety Eugenioides and incorporating kintsugi craftsmanship and local elements, Morgan not only demonstrated exquisite extraction skills but also explored the future of coffee in the face of climate change. This article will delve into her competition strategy, focus [more…]

As winter approaches, many people enjoy a cozy cup of hot latte or cappuccino. But do you know at what temperature the milk foam should be heated to avoid compromising the texture while perfectly complementing the aroma of the coffee? This article delves into the ideal milk temperature range for hot milk coffee—from the subtle differences between 55°C and 65°C to how the foam's texture and flavor change beyond 70°C—and provides different temperature control suggestions for lattes and cappuccinos to help you brew more professional and smoother milk coffee. [more…]

In recent years, it has become a trend for brands to conduct live-stream marketing through social media platforms. However, the live streaming style of Hainan Yeshu Group has sparked considerable controversy. This article delves into the negative public opinion triggered by its Douyin livestream, featuring "skin-tight female hosts dancing provocatively," explores the responses and handling approaches of market regulatory authorities, and reviews the brand’s two previous penalties for "vulgar marketing." It aims to help readers fully understand the context of the incident and the importance of market regulations. [more…]

After the collaboration packaging between Luckin Coffee and 《JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean》 was leaked ahead of time, it sparked heated discussion due to the gap between the design style and fan expectations. From official teasers to spontaneous fan-made secondary creations, how did this cross-industry collaboration unexpectedly ignite creative sparks amid controversy? This article takes you through the full story of the event and showcases those fan-made DIY versions hailed as “better than the official ones.” [more…]

During the National Day golden week, the new-style tea drinks market experienced a sales peak, with some popular stores seeing sales increases of up to 500%. Among them, fresh fruit tea categories accounted for nearly 80% of sales. This article delves into the sales data, supply chain strategies, and pricing adjustments of brands such as Heytea and Nayuki, exploring why fresh fruit teas have become a consumption hotspot and the future development trends of the tea drinks industry. [more…]

In 2022, World Barista Championship (WBC) champion Anthony Douglas claimed victory with his exceptional milk-based coffee and creative beverage techniques, particularly by using 80-hour anaerobic natural Sidamo beans from El Diviso Estate in Colombia’s Huila region. He paired them with unique thickening and nitrogen infusion processes to create a richly layered coffee experience. This article provides an in-depth breakdown of his competition routine — from bean selection and extraction parameters to creative processing methods — including vacuum [more…]

Want to brew coffee at home but feel overwhelmed by the wide range of equipment? This guide is tailored for coffee beginners, starting with the importance of coffee bean freshness and grind size. It provides a detailed breakdown of key selection points and practical advice on grinders, pour over drippers, pour over kettles, filters, servers, and digital scales—helping you put together a stable and functional pour over setup within a reasonable budget while avoiding common purchasing mistakes. [more…]

The extraction time of pour over coffee is closely linked to its flavor profile. Mastering the precise drip rhythm within the ideal range is a challenge for many coffee enthusiasts. This article delves into the relationship between extraction time and flavor expression, explores common causes of overly slow dripping—including factors like grind uniformity and pouring techniques—and introduces the "4-6 Brewing Method" that centers on time-based adjustments to help you achieve more stable and delicious pour over coffee. [more…]

Have you noticed that the milk foam in your freshly made latte starts to collapse or develop large bubbles within just two minutes? This isn’t just an aesthetic issue—it can also affect the overall flavor and mouthfeel. This article will delve into the five most common reasons for unstable milk foam, including milk fat quality, foam thickness, coffee bean freshness, machine shaking (vibration), and the evenness of milk and espresso integration. We’ll also provide practical adjustment tips to help you create more long-lasting and velvety latte foam. [more…]

Beneath caffeine’s energy-boosting effects lies a neurological trap—long-term reliance can lead to "caffeine fatigue." This article delves into the interaction between adenosine and its receptors, uncovering why drinking more can make you feel sleepier, and offers practical suggestions on adjusting intake timing based on your circadian rhythm. Help readers master the science of smart consumption and avoid energy depletion. [more…]

South Korea’s per capita annual coffee consumption reaches 352 cups, nearly three times the global average, yet it relies entirely on imported coffee beans. Under the pressure of a continuously weakening Korean Won and rising costs in raw materials, labor, and rent, the Korean coffee industry is bracing for another wave of price hikes. This article delves into the three key factors behind the price increases and explores how the Korean coffee market seeks breakthroughs amid fierce competition and high living costs. [more…]

Faced with climate change and soaring global coffee demand, Nestlé has announced the launch of the 'Nescafé 2030 Plan'. Over the next eight years, it will invest more than 1 billion Swiss francs to drive a shift toward regenerative agriculture in coffee farming and plans to plant 20 million trees around farms to reduce carbon emissions. This article delves into the details of the plan, including its transformation goals, implementation methods, and potential impacts on the coffee supply chain, helping readers understand the key actions behind sustainable coffee. [more…]

Single-origin espresso (SOE), with its distinctive regional flavors, has become a focal point for specialty coffee enthusiasts in recent years. This article delves into the definition, characteristics, and suitable beverages of SOE, and provides a detailed analysis of extraction parameters and practical brewing steps. Through real-world examples, it illustrates how to craft a balanced and layered coffee experience, helping readers master key techniques from espresso to iced lattes. [more…]

There are various pouring methods in pour over coffee, among which the "rapid circular whirl pour" has garnered significant attention due to its appearance in competitions. This technique generates centrifugal force through high-speed rotation, accelerating the agitation of the coffee grounds layer, which helps enhance extraction efficiency and flavor expression. However, this method demands a high level of operational stability—if not controlled properly, it can easily lead to uneven extraction. This article delves into the principles, advantages and disadvantages, potential risks of the whirl pour, and analyzes its compatibility with different coffee bean characteristics. [more…]

Domestic F&B brands continue to invest heavily in the coffee sector. He Fu La Mian has recently launched a composite brand “Pick ME の Coffee & Hot Food,” targeting young office workers with high-value coffee paired with quality hot meals. This article provides an in-depth analysis of its branding strategy, product approach, and market trends, along with a reference guide for selecting specialty coffee beans to help you stay ahead of emerging coffee consumption trends. [more…]

Thinking about quitting your job to open a cozy coffee shop? Face the reality first！ This article takes an in-depth look at the common operational challenges faced by independent coffee shops, explores how consumer habits have changed post-pandemic and their impact on location selection and business models, dissects the survival advantages of neighborhood cafes paired with delivery services, and shares key insights on delivering specialty coffee value and cultivating regular customers—offering you the most practical startup reference. [more…]

Many specialty coffee enthusiasts believe that adding milk to pour over coffee ruins its pure flavor. However, in reality, the combination of milk and coffee has a history spanning hundreds of years. This article will delve into the rationale of adding milk to pour over coffee, explore the origins of café au lait and how it differs from a latte, while also analyzing how different types of milk can affect the flavor of coffee—helping you find the drinking style that suits you best. [more…]

KFC has piloted the launch of a 9-yuan SOE coffee in Shanghai, offering consumers the chance to experience single-origin espresso at a highly competitive price through its express pickup window model. This article delves into the definition and flavor characteristics of SOE, explores the reasons behind its typically high prices, and evaluates the potential impact of KFC's move on making specialty coffee more accessible to the public, while also providing practical purchasing advice. [more…]

Starbucks has launched China’s first Shanghai-Yunnan Intangible Cultural Heritage Concept Store in Shanghai’s Jing’an Suhe Bay MixC World. The store integrates embroidery art from Yunnan’s ethnic minorities with Shanghai cheongsam designs to create a third space that combines art exhibitions with coffee experiences. In addition to offering premium Yunnan coffee beans, the store also demonstrates siphon coffee brewing on-site, allowing customers to explore the fusion of intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship and coffee culture. This article takes you through the highlights of the store design, specialty coffee menu, and interactive experience details. [more…]

Oatly, a popular oat milk brand, publicly criticized the World Barista Championship (WBC) for its outdated rule that only allows the use of dairy milk, calling for a switch to more environmentally friendly oat milk. This sparked heated online discussions and pushback. This article delves into the motivations and controversies behind this incident, analyzes the practical differences between oat milk and dairy milk in coffee applications, and through user feedback and industry perspectives, helps you understand why dairy milk remains the mainstream choice in competitions and cafés to this day. [more…]