The internationally renowned IP brand SMILEY’s tea beverage brand, SMILEY tea, is set to open its first global store at Beijing Chaoyang Joy City, with official operations scheduled to begin on October 1. The brand focuses on leaf tea beverages made using steam extraction technology, offering a diverse product lineup including lattes, pour over teas, milk teas, and alcoholic specialty drinks, targeting consumers born in the 1990s and early 1990s. This article delves into the principles of steam extraction tea, its market positioning, and explores how the brand can stand out in the highly competitive tea beverage market. [more…]

China Post’s application to register the "Post Coffee POST COFFEE" trademark has been rejected, drawing public attention to its cross-industry expansion strategy. Since opening its first store in Xiamen in 2022, Post Coffee has rapidly expanded by blending postal heritage with cultural creativity. However, the trademark registration setback presents a significant challenge. This article delves into the development journey, product highlights, and trademark disputes of Post Coffee, while also examining the current landscape and future prospects of major industry players like Li-Ning and Tongrentang entering the coffee market. [more…]

Many pour over beginners mistakenly believe that a deep pit in the coffee bed indicates successful extraction. In reality, the formation of deep pits is closely related to the roast level of the coffee beans, pouring method, and the amount of coffee used. This article delves into three key factors, helping you understand the science behind these pits and teaching you how to optimize extraction parameters by observing the state of the coffee bed — truly elevating your coffee’s flavor profile. [more…]

T97 Coffee quickly rose to fame on Douyin with its unique rap-style live streams. The host "Big Mouth" became a sensation with his addictive "go go go" moves and highly rhythmic content, propelling this brand with only 43 stores to trend overnight. What exactly drove T97 from mediocre performance in May to over 2.66 million live viewers in September? This article delves into its brand strategy, live commerce approach, offline expansion status, and franchise boom to help readers understand the business behind this wave of "rap coffee" phenomenon. [more…]

Tims China successfully listed on the Nasdaq through a SPAC merger, raising nearly $200 million, marking the first case in China's coffee industry. Since entering the Chinese market in 2019, the brand has expanded to over 400 stores and plans to grow to 2,750 locations by 2026. This article provides an in-depth analysis of its listing model, financial performance, expansion strategy, and market positioning, helping readers understand how this North American coffee brand continues to write its success story in China. [more…]

With the launch of the WCC World Coffee Championships, many coffee professionals are considering whether to participate in the event. Competing is not only a way to refine technical skills but also a career springboard. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the practical benefits, challenges, and growth paths involved in competition, covering everything from extraction techniques to mental resilience, helping you evaluate whether taking this step is worthwhile. [more…]

Luckin Coffee’s paper bags and cup sleeves are not just containers for drinks—they’ve become hot items that customers eagerly collect and upcycle. This article takes an in-depth look at how Luckin builds emotional connections with consumers through packaging design. From collaboration editions to seasonal themes, every design hides a brand communication strategy. Understanding these thoughtful details not only reveals Luckin’s marketing tactics but also provides inspiration for independent cafés in brand management. [more…]

Starbucks has teamed up with the classic comic "Peanuts" to launch a Snoopy collaboration series themed “Happiness is being connected.” The collection features 23 items that span both practical use and collectibility. This collaboration not only brings back the charm of the iconic comic but also resonates with Starbucks’ “third place” philosophy. This article provides a detailed look at the 23 products, their release dates, price ranges, and the cultural significance of the Snoopy character, helping you fully understand the highlights of this collaboration. [more…]

Starbucks has officially launched its 6000th store in Shanghai, marking the city as the first in the world to surpass 1,000 Starbucks locations. This article delves into the market layout, product strategy, and pricing positioning behind this milestone, and explores how Starbucks is responding to challenges from brands like Luckin and Manner amid fierce competition, as well as the overall structure of the market divided into three distinct tiers. [more…]

Starbucks China has officially surpassed 6,000 stores, with Shanghai becoming the world’s first city to host 1,000 locations. The 6,000th green-store has opened on Shanghai’s Huaihai Road, launching a limited-edition drink "Shanghai Coffee" that blends local Shanghainese culture. This article details the flavor profile of this new offering, highlights of the store design, as well as Starbucks’ expansion strategy and challenges amid market competition. [more…]

In recent years, Manner Coffee has frequently collaborated with well-known brands across various industries — from Tesla and LV to Helena Rubinstein and Allbirds. Each cross-industry partnership has sparked widespread discussion. This article takes an in-depth look at Manner’s classic collaborations with major brands, analyzes the market strategies and consumer psychology behind them, and explores how these partnerships effectively enhance brand image and sales performance. [more…]

The charm of pour over coffee lies in the unique flavor each cup can offer, but improper extraction often dulls the potential of great beans. This article helps you intuitively judge the differences between under-extracted and over-extracted coffee through taste, including the reasons behind common issues such as excessive sourness, thin watery body, and harsh bitterness. We’ll also analyze how key parameters like grind size, water temperature, and pouring techniques affect extraction outcomes—helping you adjust your method to achieve more balanced coffee flavors. [more…]

Soaring energy prices in Europe have put unprecedented operational pressure on many small and medium-sized cafes. Electricity bills have become the largest expense, with some shops even seeing power costs surpass rent. This article delves into how coffee businesses across Europe are responding to the energy crisis—from adjusting pricing and reducing staff to seeking alternative solutions—revealing the survival strategies and challenges faced by these businesses in difficult times. [more…]

Feeling overwhelmed the first time you walk into a coffee shop and see the myriad of names on the menu? Matcha latte doesn’t actually contain coffee, and Americano has nothing to do with America—these names all have their own backstories. This article delves into nine classic coffee types—espresso, Americano, latte, cappuccino, flat white, dirty coffee, mocha, pour over, and cold brew—from both cultural and technical perspectives. It will help you understand their definitions, origins, flavor profiles, and ideal consumer groups, and also includes additional information on pour over [more…]

Do you often encounter the frustrating issue of the espresso puck sticking to the brew head when making espresso? Not only is it troublesome to clean, but it can also affect the flavor of your coffee. This article delves into three common causes — including too much coffee dose, not removing the portafilter promptly, and channeling caused by loosening the puck — and provides practical tips and precautions to help you identify the root of the problem, optimize the extraction process, and improve coffee quality. [more…]

Wordplay is no longer the exclusive domain of internet memes but has become a clever tool in brand marketing. From Heytea renaming “Duck Shit Aroma” to “Duck Joy Aroma,” to Starbucks creating buzz through surnames and English puns, these creative tweaks carry key strategies that deepen brand memorability and bring consumers closer. This article analyzes these successful cases, explores how wordplay resonates across age groups, and reminds brands to avoid vulgarity or excessive gimmickry when using such tactics. [more…]

In recent years, coffee and beverage brands have frequently collaborated across industries to capture consumer attention—not only generating buzz but also expanding their customer base. Luckin Coffee is set to team up with the popular anime "JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean" for an exclusive campaign. This article provides a detailed overview of the collaboration strategies of brands such as Luckin, Manner, Heytea, and Nayuki, analyzing how they attract market attention through differentiated partnerships, while also offering industry insights to help readers better understand the trends in brand collaborations. [more…]

With iced drinks accounting for over 70% of Starbucks' sales and the Frappuccino topping the charts, the brand has sparked discussions about its transformation. The launch of the automated Siren System has reduced drink preparation time to just 36 seconds, but it has also significantly decreased interaction between baristas and customers. This article delves into the reasons behind the rise of the Frappuccino, the pros and cons of automation, and how Starbucks is balancing efficiency with the coffee experience. [more…]

With its refreshing taste, low calorie count, and energizing effect, iced Americano coffee has become an everyday essential for many. This article delves into the multiple reasons behind the popularity of iced Americano, examining its health advantages, ease of preparation, and social attributes. It analyzes how this classic coffee style shines in various scenarios and shares practical tips to enhance your drinking experience. [more…]

Want to easily brew a clear and bright cup of ice drip coffee at home? This article deeply explores the one-shot ice drip technique popularized by Tetsu Kasuya, breaking down the process step-by-step—from equipment selection, water-to-coffee ratio, grind coarseness, to pouring and stirring steps. Based on practical test data, it explains the logic behind using 20 grams of coffee grounds, 150 milliliters of hot water, and 80 grams of ice, and discusses how slow filtration cones, fine grind sizes, and brew ratios affect the final flavor. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced enthusiast, you can gain valuable insights from it. [more…]