Smoky flavors in coffee often lead people to suspect roasting mistakes, but they can also be a natural gift from the terroir of the growing region. This article delves into the two main sources of smoky notes in Guatemalan coffee, distinguishing between roasting flaws and regional characteristics. It also provides a detailed breakdown of the flavor profiles and recommended brewing methods for two representative beans—Huehuetenango and Antigua Gesha—helping you better appreciate the unique charm of this classic Central American origin. [more…]

Once plunged into a downturn due to financial issues, how did Luckin Coffee reverse its fortunes in just a few years—not only achieving its first overall profitability but also surpassing 6,580 stores to overtake Starbucks as China’s largest coffee chain? This article delves into the key factors behind Luckin’s turnaround, including highlights from its financial reports, its resilient performance during the pandemic, and how best-selling products like the Coconut Latte and Coconut Cloud Latte have fueled the brand’s growth. [more…]

The new-style tea brand Nayuki’s Tea once rose to prominence with its innovative combination of tea drinks paired with soft European-style bread. Its flagship store in Shenzhen’s Coastal City, covering over a thousand square meters—“Nayuki’s Dream Factory”—was once seen as the brand’s experimental base for exploring multi-format development. However, this store, which once achieved nearly one million yuan in revenue within three days of opening, is now undergoing renovation and has been upgraded to “Nayuki Life,” a lifestyle concept store. This article delves into the rise and fall of Nayuki’s Dream Factory, exploring how new-style tea brands can navigate fierce competition through multi-format... [more…]

Starbucks has officially announced the end of its 16-year operations in the Russian market, bringing to a close its model of operating 130 stores through franchisees. This decision not only reflects how the American food and beverage giant is adjusting its global presence due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but also presents an opportunity for local Russian businesses to take over the market void left by an international brand. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the background and process of Starbucks’ exit, as well as potential future changes in the Russian market. [more…]

When learning to brew pour over coffee, many coffee enthusiasts often make common mistakes in their technique, such as the starting point of the bloom timer, pouring method, or water flow control. These seemingly minor habits can actually directly affect the flavor profile of the coffee. This article will delve into five common operational mistakes encountered during self-taught pour over brewing — including misconceptions about the bloom timing, splashing pours, small water flow control, using a strong stream at the end to rinse the coffee bed, and removing the filter too early — and provide professional advice and methods for improvement. [more…]

Recently, a well-known chain coffee brand, Manner Coffee, faced an investigation by local market regulatory authorities due to poor sanitation and improper food storage at one of its Shanghai outlets. The incident has drawn public attention to the preparation of coffee beverages and the storage of ingredients. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the incident, highlighting which aspects of food storage are prone to errors and the key food safety points that both consumers and businesses should be aware of. [more…]

Want to truly understand the quality of a cup of coffee? Tasting is not just about naming flavors, but about comprehensively analyzing its performance in aroma, acidity, sweetness, body, aftertaste, and off-flavors. This article will guide you step by step through the key elements of professional coffee tasting, so even beginners can learn how to distinguish the quality and layers of a cup of coffee, enhancing your coffee experience. [more…]

As a globally renowned coffee chain, Starbucks has long positioned itself as an environmentally conscious brand. However, recent revelations about its travel cup practices have sparked accusations of "greenwashing." From the use of single-use plastic cups to the debate over the plastic content in strawless lids, this article will delve into the true face of Starbucks’ environmental commitments, explore the challenges and areas for improvement regarding its reusable cup initiatives, and help readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the brand’s actual performance on its sustainability journey. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts join the barista profession, but often feel lost due to low salaries and limited growth opportunities. In reality, a barista’s career is not confined to the counter—there are also paths in training, roasting, and even entrepreneurship. This article will delve into various transition directions and provide concrete advice to help you find a career path that suits you. [more…]

On May 20, 2022, Guming Tea’s Douyin livestream hosted a flash sale for discount coupons. However, due to a system malfunction, a large number of orders were forcibly refunded, sparking collective customer dissatisfaction and trending on Weibo. This marked the third brand trust crisis faced by the company that year. This article provides a detailed account of the incident, analyzes the causes of the system failure and the subsequent handling measures, and reviews earlier controversies involving food safety and tax issues that had triggered public debate. The goal is to help readers fully understand the full context surrounding the events. [more…]

The AeroPress is the go-to choice for many coffee beginners and advanced enthusiasts, but do you know the story behind this ingeniously designed coffee tool? This article will delve into the fascinating life of its inventor, Alan Adler, provide a complete breakdown of the official forward-pressure brewing steps, explore the popular inverted method techniques favored by the coffee community, and compare the key flavor extraction differences between the AeroPress and pour over coffee—helping you gain a more comprehensive understanding of this versatile coffee device. [more…]

Over 8 million tons of coffee grounds are produced globally each year, previously regarded as mostly useless waste. Now, Japanese coffee roasters in collaboration with Kansai University have successfully converted coffee grounds into biochar fuel. This innovative technology not only replaces traditional charcoal for roasting but also claims to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions. This article delves into the principles, production process, and the sustainable transformation this green technology brings to the coffee industry. [more…]

Japanese Starbucks has launched an innovative stainless steel cup rental service that allows customers to easily borrow cups by scanning a QR code with their smartphones. Cups can be returned within 3 days to enjoy beverage discounts. Not only does this eliminate the hassle of traditional deposits, but it also emphasizes high-temperature disinfection to ensure hygiene and safety. This article takes an in-depth look at how this new measure works, the user experience, and its environmental potential, showing you how Japan is promoting a more user-friendly approach to sustainable beverage culture. [more…]

When coffee is no longer just coffee, but collides across boundaries with pickled vegetables, tofu pudding, or even ginger-stewed pork trotters, the limits of creative coffee are constantly expanding. Yet, this trend of "genetic mutation"-style preparation, while generating buzz and traffic, also challenges the basic logic of taste. This article delves into the evolution, market motivations, and potential concerns of creative coffee, offering practical insights on crafting visually stunning yet flavor-balanced creations to help professionals and coffee enthusiasts approach it rationally. [more…]

Want to understand the differences between Flat White (澳白咖啡), Flat White (馥芮白), and Latte? This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the distinctions among these three classic milk-based coffees, covering everything from their historical origins and recipe ratios to flavor details. From the choice of double espresso, milk foam thickness, to the commonly used 1:5 milk ratio, it not only clears up misconceptions but also offers practical brewing references to help you order or make your coffee more accurately next time. [more…]

With the growing global emphasis on sustainability, the carbon footprint of the coffee industry has also come under scrutiny. Traditional sea and air freight rely on fossil fuels, resulting in significant carbon emissions. A UK startup, NEW DAWN TRADERS, has adopted sail-powered ships to transport green coffee beans. Although the journey takes as long as five months, it drastically reduces carbon emissions. This article delves into the feasibility of this retro mode of transport, reviews the history of sailing cargo ships, and analyzes their potential within the modern coffee supply chain. [more…]

Want to turn your passion into profit with a mobile coffee cart? This in-depth article features interviews with multiple practitioners, covering everything from motivation and equipment setup, to licensing, location selection, risks, and current profitability. Whether you're looking to try it part-time or plan long-term operation, you'll gain valuable insights and key reminders. [more…]

In recent years, the combination of camping and coffee has become a new favorite in outdoor leisure, especially sparking heated discussions on social platforms. However, beyond the poetic and healing aspects, this trend also brings issues such as litter pollution and fire risks. This article starts with the historical evolution of camping culture, traces how boutique camping has emerged, and delves into the realities and potential concerns of camping coffee, helping readers enjoy nature and coffee while also being mindful of safety and environmental responsibility. [more…]

Espresso in Italy has long been priced at around €1, seen as a national cultural symbol. After the pandemic, costs soared, prompting some shops to raise prices to €1.5 — which drew consumer backlash. Recently, a three-time coffee competition champion was fined €1,000 (about ¥7,109) for selling a decaf espresso at €2 without displaying the price on the physical menu. This article delves into the pricing dilemma of espresso and how the specialty coffee wave is impacting traditional culture. [more…]

From software engineer to coffee farm owner, 42-year-old Mike gave up a stable job to grow Arabica Caturra beans on Hong Kong’s limited land. Instead of relying on traditional farming methods, he leveraged his IT skills to create an environmental monitoring system and boldly experimented with diverse anaerobic fermentation processes — including using perilla leaves and beer. Even with an annual yield of just a few kilograms, he’s determined to uncover a unique coffee flavor that’s distinctly Hong Kong. This article takes you behind the story of how this tech expert used innovative thinking to break through geographical limitations and create the impossible: a locally grown coffee. [more…]