The fast food brand KFC has launched an independent tea beverage store, “Grandpa’s Free-Tea,” in Suzhou. The store features an innovative series of rice milk teas that combine Jiangnan-style tea bases with local ingredients, showcasing rich regional characteristics. This article delves into the selection of ingredients, flavor profile, and interior design of this rice milk tea, while exploring whether KFC can successfully carve out a new path amid the fierce competition in the tea beverage market. [more…]

Many young people join the chain barista workforce with dreams in their hearts, only to find that the actual job content is far from the idealized art of coffee they imagined. This article takes an in-depth look at the real daily work of chain baristas, explores the complete journey from basic skill training to management capability development, and offers practical career advice for transitioning into independent cafés, the roasting field, or professional competitions—helping practitioners find the career path that suits them best. [more…]

When brewing pour over coffee, an excessive amount of fine particles often leads to filter paper clogging, flavor imbalance, and even results in an overly bitter or astringent cup. Understanding the causes of fine particles and the working characteristics of different grinder burr types—such as flat, conical, and flat-conical burrs—can significantly improve extraction quality. This article will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of these three burr types, and provide practical solutions such as sifting methods and adjustment techniques to help you brew a more consistently balanced and smooth cup of coffee. [more…]

Blooming is the most crucial first step in the pour over coffee process. It not only awakens the coffee grounds but also releases carbon dioxide, laying the foundation for subsequent extraction. This article delves into how the water volume and pouring time during blooming can alter the flavor profile of the coffee, and provides flexible water-pouring strategies tailored to beans of different roast levels. Through practical case analysis and operational details, it helps you master a more precise blooming method to elevate the performance of every cup of pour over coffee. [more…]

On the first anniversary of NAYUKI Tea’s listing in Hong Kong, the company launched a “NAYUKI Coin” virtual stock game that integrates consumer points and is tied to real Hong Kong stock market trends, even supporting leverage operations of 2 to 10 times. This has triggered widespread market discussion and debate over legal risks. This article delves into the mechanics of the activity, potential risks, and the stock performance of the NAYUKI tea beverage brand since its IPO, helping you understand the pros and cons of virtual financial gameplay and market reactions. [more…]

As the pandemic situation in Shanghai eases, starting from June 29, qualified streets and towns have gradually reopened dine-in services for restaurants. Long-silent cafés have finally welcomed back their customers. This article features in-depth interviews with multiple Shanghai café owners, sharing their stories of perseverance during the lockdown — including solo tastings of limited-edition coffee beans, 24-hour on-site staffing to maintain operations, and the first heartwarming interactions after dine-in services resumed. At the same time, we’ve compiled the application process and key points for reopening dine-in services, and take you through the impact of the pandemic... [more…]

As the "drive-thru" becomes a symbol of convenience for fast coffee, a Scottish cycling enthusiast was turned away by Costa simply for riding a bicycle. This incident, which occurred on June 25th local time, not only raised consumer questions about service fairness but also prompted a reevaluation of the original intent behind drive-thru lanes. Was it a matter of safety concerns or does it hint at discrimination? This article delves into the background of the incident, compares international cases, and takes you through the current state of coffee takeaway services. [more…]

At the recently concluded U.S. Barista Championship, Morgan Eckroth from Portland claimed the title as a coffee influencer with 7 million followers, and for the first time, she publicly documented her entire preparation and competition process through vlogs. Focusing on the post-pandemic rise of home coffee enthusiasts, she advocates that coffee should be delicious, easy to replicate, and capable of driving change, boldly sharing her recipes and bean selection strategies. This article delves into the creativity of her competition routine, her bean selection logic, and flavor design, while also exploring current trends in the coffee industry. [more…]

In recent years, many weight-loss coffees that claim to help you lose weight "without exercise or dieting, just one cup a day" have been selling like hotcakes on social media, attracting those seeking quick slimming results. However, these products often contain the illegally added banned drug sibutramine, which can cause heart palpitations, high blood pressure, and even life-threatening risks. This article takes an in-depth look at the true nature of these "shady weight-loss coffees" and teaches you how to safely and scientifically use coffee to assist with fat loss, while avoiding falling into traps. [more…]

When an affordable coffee brand teams up with a high-end skincare brand, this seemingly innovative cross-industry collaboration sparked strong consumer backlash. This article dissects the execution details of Manner’s “A Cup of Green Comeback” campaign with Helena Rubinstein’s Green Bottle, analyzing five common pitfalls in cross-industry partnerships—from packaging design and campaign rules to technical support—and offering practical advice to help brands avoid similar traps. [more…]

Just opened a new bag of coffee beans and noticed inconsistent color among the beans? Don’t jump to conclusions about a failed roast just yet. This article delves into the multiple factors that affect the appearance and color of coffee beans—including green bean grade, honey processing methods, anaerobic fermentation, and even common processing defect characteristics—to help you accurately assess the condition of your beans and avoid misjudging quality ones. We’ll also explore how roast levels influence bean surface color and flavor expression. [more…]

Coffee and tea drinks both belong to the popular beverage category, yet their development trends differ significantly. While new tea drinks have been cutting prices, new-style coffee has gone against the trend by increasing prices, even showing a tendency toward milk-tea-like products. This article provides an in-depth analysis from the perspectives of price trends, market positioning, and product innovation, exploring whether new-style coffee will repeat the over-competition pitfalls of new tea drinks and analyzing how consumers perceive these changes. [more…]

As a national coffee brand in Canada, Tim Hortons is deeply rooted in the public consciousness with its iconic Double Double and donuts, and has even been rated the most trusted brand by Morning Consult. However, the brand has recently sparked controversy due to its app’s illegal collection of user location data and mandatory vaccination policies at campground events. This article delves into this paradox, exploring how it maintains its standing among consumers despite the trust crisis. [more…]

Water temperature is one of the key factors influencing espresso flavor, yet it is often overlooked. This article delves into how water temperature affects the overall flavor profile of espresso by altering extraction flow rate and influencing crema performance. From analyzing the pros and cons of high and low temperature extractions, to demystifying the difference between boiler temperature and actual extraction temperature, and combining experimental data, it provides recommended optimal water temperature settings for different dose ratios to help you master the essence of espresso extraction with precision. [more…]

An animal-themed café in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, named Amix Coffee, has drawn attention with its unique floor pond filled with koi and ornamental fish. Customers are invited to walk barefoot through the water and interact closely with the fish. While the creative concept is eye-catching, it has also raised concerns about animal welfare and public hygiene. This article delves into the design ingenuity, potential risks, and global reflection on animal-themed business models. [more…]

Starbucks is often seen as a representative of chain coffee shops in the Taiwanese market, but in fact, its best-selling items are not coffee, but various seasonal and collaboration cup designs. Dozens of themed cups released each year often trigger buying frenzies, with prices ranging from over a hundred to several hundred New Taiwan Dollars. Their sales performance even surpasses that of the coffee itself. This article takes an in-depth look at the “cup factory” phenomenon at Starbucks and why cups have become a money-making tool for the brand. [more…]

When netizens collectively unleashed their creativity by turning name comments into puns, Starbucks quickly seized this social media trend, successfully bridging the gap with consumers. In contrast, Luckin failed to keep up due to system limitations. This article delves into how wordplay has become a powerful branding tool, traces its cultural roots, and explores the lifecycle of internet slang, giving you an insider look at this social media battle in the coffee scene. [more…]

Coffee is the world’s most popular stimulant beverage, but can long-term consumption harm your health? This article delves into the workings of caffeine, explaining how adenosine and caffeine interact to affect your mental state, and analyzes how individual metabolic differences influence its stimulating effects. Citing authoritative safety standards, it clarifies the daily upper limit for caffeine intake. It also explores the positive and negative health impacts of black coffee versus sweetened milk coffee, reminds readers to be aware of caffeine dependence and withdrawal symptoms, and offers practical drinking advice to help you [more…]

Animal-themed cafés have gained global popularity in recent years, with wildlife such as owls and raccoons becoming new attractions. However, the underlying animal welfare issues have sparked widespread concern. From a Japanese petition with 100,000 signatures calling for a boycott to a complete ban in South Korea, how do these establishments impact the physical and mental well-being of animals? This article delves into the real conditions faced by both wild and domesticated animals in café environments, helping consumers make more responsible choices. [more…]

When latte art extends from coffee cups to fruit peels and even palms, and when pour over drippers are replaced with bamboo leaves and fruit skins, these coffee creations on Xiaohongshu showcase the boundless imagination and experimental spirit of coffee enthusiasts. This article selects a variety of unconventional coffee brewing techniques—from micro-latte art to 3D carved designs, from atypical pouring methods to DIY grinder tools—taking you on a journey through the hidden玩法 of the coffee community. Please note that some techniques require professional expertise, so do not attempt them without proper training. [more…]