Faced with continued sales decline in the Chinese market, Starbucks interim CEO Howard Schultz and incoming new CEO Laxman Narasimhan plan to jointly visit China after the easing of pandemic restrictions, seeking a breakthrough. This article delves into Starbucks' performance challenges in China, future expansion plans, and how the new leadership team aims to reverse the market downturn through cultural heritage and digital strategies. [more…]

The definition of premium coffee has always been controversial. What kind of coffee can truly be called specialty? Does dark roasting equal low quality? Does a high price necessarily indicate premium-level standards? This article will take you deep into the true essence of specialty coffee—from its definitional origins, flavor characteristics, roasting methods to service experience—and debunk common misconceptions. [more…]

When extracting espresso, if you notice water pooling at the bottom of the portafilter and a soggy, shapeless coffee puck, it could be an issue with grind size, bean freshness, dose amount, or pressure. This article takes an in-depth look at four common causes — including grinding too fine, loss of CO₂ from the coffee beans, improper distance between the puck and shower screen, and unstable extraction pressure — and provides specific troubleshooting steps and adjustment suggestions to help you identify the root cause and improve extraction quality. [more…]

The popular Changsha-based tea drink brand Cha Yan Yue Se recently announced the complete removal of its English store signage "Sexytea," sparking widespread discussion about the international naming of brands and their cultural appropriateness. This article delves into the details of the incident, reveals the boundaries that domestic trend-driven brands need to be wary of in creative marketing, and explores through real cases how to balance product uniqueness with the communication of values. [more…]

In 2023, it was reported that approximately 200,000 customers’ personal data from Singapore Starbucks had been leaked, with the related information having already circulated on the dark web since September. What kind of data was tampered with? Is credit card information safe? How did the official respond? This article provides a detailed explanation of the incident, the key causes of the vulnerability, and offers practical cybersecurity advice to help consumers avoid digital risks. [more…]

The flavor of pour over coffee varies with temperature, presenting different layers of taste. But do you know which temperature range best highlights the delicate nuances of the coffee? This article delves into how temperature affects the perception of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness, and provides practical recommendations on the best times to enjoy your coffee, allowing you to capture the unique flavor transitions of each pour over cup from hot to cold. [more…]

The well-known brand Mstand was heavily fined nearly 487,000 RMB by Shanghai regulatory authorities for commissioning a supplier without proper production qualifications to make popsicle ingredients, sparking public concern over loopholes in the qualification review process for food contract manufacturing. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the case background, investigation process, and ruling basis, revealing potential compliance risks for smaller brands in the contract manufacturing process, and supplements key considerations for food production licenses to help readers identify contract manufacturing traps. [more…]

Hanoi’s famous train street—known for its cafes nestled between narrow alleys through which trains pass—reopened after more than two years of closure due to the pandemic and safety concerns. However, it was ordered to shut down again within just a few days. This slender lane, once a popular spot for social media photos, has seen numerous dangerous incidents caused by tourists frequently trespassing onto the tracks. This article delves into how local government, railway authorities, and business owners are grappling with the tension between safety and tourism demands, and offers safety tips for visitors. [more…]

Starting with the amusing anecdote of netizens mistakenly writing "coffee" as "office", this article explores common misconceptions and show-off attitudes in coffee culture. It takes you through the historical shift of coffee from an elite-exclusive drink to a beverage for the masses, analyzes prevalent cognitive biases in the specialty coffee era, and offers practical tasting advice to help readers maintain an open mindset while enjoying coffee. [more…]

The bloom is a crucial step in the pour over coffee process. It not only activates the coffee grounds but also lays a solid foundation for subsequent extraction. This article provides an in-depth analysis of bloom water volume, duration, and pouring technique, explaining how these variables directly affect the final flavor of the coffee. With specific reference values and real-world examples, it helps you adjust your technique, avoid common mistakes, and ensure each cup of pour over coffee showcases the desired layers and balance. [more…]

Latte art is a classic decorating technique for lattes, but many coffee enthusiasts wonder: can intricate designs truly enhance the flavor of the coffee? This article delves into the actual impact of latte art on taste perception, drawing from visual psychology, milk foam integration techniques, and practical tasting tests. It also explores the balance between pattern complexity, preparation time, and overall drinking experience, allowing you to understand the relationship between coffee aesthetics and taste more scientifically. [more…]

A common issue with bitter and astringent pour over coffee—aside from an imbalance in grind size—is excessive fine particles, a factor often overlooked. When a grinder performs poorly, resulting in a higher proportion of fines, the risk of over-extraction increases, which can easily lead to an unpleasant dry and harsh aftertaste. This article shares practical data and temperature adjustment strategies on how to use low-temperature blooming combined with pulsed pouring to effectively suppress the release of bitter substances from fine particles, while preserving the fruity acidity and tea-like finish of the coffee—even beginners to pour over brewing can [more…]

The use of the English signage "SexyTea" by the Nanjing branch of 茶顔悦色 sparked widespread online discussion, with consumers debating the alignment of the term with the brand’s classic image and the appropriateness of the word choice. This article outlines the background of the incident, various viewpoints, and official responses, exploring the balance between brand naming strategies and public perception to help you better understand the cultural considerations in commercial signage design. [more…]

In September 2023, Starbucks announced a new corporate reinvention plan aimed at significantly improving the experience for both customers and baristas. The strategy focuses on enhancing employee benefits, innovating store models, upgrading coffee equipment and processes, and expanding digital services. With clear objectives, the plan aims to reverse performance trends in 2024 while strengthening its presence in international markets, including China. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the key components and potential impacts of Starbucks’ transformation strategy. [more…]

Following brands like Li-Ning and Tongrentang that have crossed over into the coffee market, well-known sports goods company Xtep has officially applied to register the trademarks “Xtep Coffee” and “XTEP COFFEE,” marking its entry into the new beverage track. From food and beverage to education to sports, why are cross-industry brands favoring coffee? Is Xtep’s move this time a short-term upgrade in experience or a long-term strategic layout? This article analyzes the motives behind brand crossovers and explores the challenges and possibilities of entering the coffee market. [more…]

Luxury brand Louis Vuitton and affordable coffee brand Manner have collaborated for the first time to launch an exclusive limited-edition coffee cup, which made its appearance during the 2023 Aranya Fashion Show. This article provides an in-depth look at the design inspiration behind the two collaborative cups, their release locations and timing, and introduces highlights of LV’s on-site peripherals such as the newsstand, offering readers insight into how high fashion interacts with the public through the medium of coffee. [more…]

The 2022 World Barista Championship (WBC) and World Brewers Cup (WBrC) are set to take place in Melbourne. As major events in the global specialty coffee scene, they not only showcase top-tier skills but also prompt deep reflection among contestants on scoring systems, judge selection, competition themes, and gender inclusivity. This article will take you in-depth into the highlights of the competitions, and through the authentic voices of past champions and contestants, explore how to create a fairer and more transparent competitive environment in the future. [more…]

Starbucks China recently announced its 2025 strategic vision, planning to expand its footprint over the next three years through six key growth drivers. The goal is to reach 9,000 stores, employ 95,000 staff, and double both net revenue and operating profit. In addition to accelerating store expansion, the company will also promote a green store certification system, deepen digital membership services, and develop more localized new products. Facing competition from domestic brands like Luckin, can this strategy help it maintain its market share? This article details the key targets and implementation specifics. [more…]

In response to the environmental issues caused by traditional coffee capsules, Swiss retailer Migros has introduced an innovative solution—the Coffee B system. These brownish coffee pods, encased in seaweed-based film, are not only convenient to use but can also fully compost within weeks. This article delves into the technical features of Coffee B, its market strategy, and how algae packaging presents a sustainable transformation opportunity for the coffee industry. [more…]

Starbucks’ upcoming ‘Odyssey Program’ integrates Web3 technology and NFTs to create a new loyalty experience for members. This article takes an in-depth look at this innovative platform developed in partnership with Polygon, exploring how it enables consumers to earn digital collectibles through interactive tasks and unlock exclusive benefits. From an NFT purchase method that doesn’t require a crypto wallet to potential virtual courses and coffee plantation tours, we’ll guide you through the key changes coming to Starbucks’ future membership program. [more…]