Recently, Starbucks has drawn consumer dissatisfaction due to ejecting on-duty police officers and raising product prices. In contrast, Marshmallow Ice City in Yinchuan, Ningxia, hung a banner welcoming police officers to rest in-store, which is seen as opportunistic marketing. While some netizens praised the move as showing broad-mindedness, others questioned it as malicious manipulation. This article delves into the strategy and controversy behind Marshmallow Ice City’s marketing move, and explores how brands should respond in the era of fast consumption. [more…]

Well-known chain coffee brands such as Starbucks, Luckin, and Tims have successively adjusted their prices, sparking market discussions. It is generally believed that this is due to a sharp decline in Brazilian coffee bean production and tight inventory, but is that really the case? This article delves into the truths behind the price hikes of chain coffee, breaking down the key factors behind price fluctuations — from the impact of regional climate, transportation bottlenecks to global inflationary pressures — and takes you through the current state of the coffee market and what consumers should pay attention to. [more…]

Mastering the segmented pouring technique for pour over coffee can effectively enhance the layering and balance of coffee flavors. This article uses washed Yirgacheffe as an example to detail the water distribution (65 grams each) in the front, middle, and back stages of the three-stage pouring method, and analyzes the flavor profiles at each stage—such as the intense acidity in the front stage, the berry and honey notes in the middle stage, and the delicate floral tones in the back stage. Through comparative tasting, it guides how to adjust the pouring ratios to avoid off-flavors and enhance sweetness and juiciness, applicable to various [more…]

Creating a smooth and enjoyable latte, the texture of the milk foam plays a crucial role. This article delves into how to choose the right type of milk, adjust steam wand settings, and step-by-step guide you through mastering frothing and texturing techniques. It not only explains why whole fresh milk is favored, but also details how the fineness or coarseness of the milk foam actually affects the mouthfeel—helping beginners establish correct concepts and improve both latte art and overall coffee flavor. [more…]

When you walk down the street and see bubble tea shops with identical signs but taste completely different drinks, you might have unknowingly entered a counterfeit store. Tiger Sugar has spent hundreds of millions of yuan fighting counterfeits due to the proliferation of imitations, shedding light on the chaos in franchising. This article delves into the common traps of fake franchises—from trademark infringement cases to real-life accounts of entrepreneurs suffering massive losses—to help consumers and prospective business owners distinguish between the real and the fake, and avoid becoming the next victim. [more…]

Luckin is set to launch the Huakui PLUS Series SOE, with rumored procurement volumes reaching up to 250 tons, potentially making it the world’s largest buyer. This natural G1 Heirloom variety from Ethiopia’s Yirgacheffe Buku Abel washing station is known in the industry as the “Queen of Huakui.” This article details its origin, differences from Huakui 5.0 and 6.0, and shares behind-the-scenes insights on its procurement and flavor profile, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a deeper understanding of this popular SOE. [more…]

China Post takes another step into the coffee market, launching the country’s first trial operation of “Post Office Café” on February 14, 2022, in Xiamen, Fujian, blending local postal culture with premium coffee flavors. This article delves into its bean selection strategy, spatial design philosophy, how the brand leverages its nationwide outlet network for expansion, and a look back at previous cross-industry ventures, offering insights into the innovative path of traditional enterprise transformation. [more…]

A dispute arose when police officers in Chongqing's Ciqikou Ancient Town were seen dining at the entrance of a Starbucks, leading to online rumors of them being asked to leave and of a formal complaint being filed. The incident quickly trended on Weibo. Starbucks responded by stating it was a misunderstanding related to seating arrangements, denying any claims of ejecting the officers or filing complaints—but public skepticism remains high. This article outlines the sequence of events, analyzes details from Starbucks' official response, explores the balance in interactions between coffee shops and law enforcement, and revisits a similar 2019 case in the United States to provide a more comprehensive perspective. [more…]

Starbucks has recently been embroiled in a major controversy following an incident in which police officers were allegedly asked to leave a Chongqing store. This was soon followed by an adjustment in the prices of some beverages and food items, with increases of 1 to 2 yuan for items such as Americano and Latte. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the full scope of the incident, explores the brand’s challenges in public opinion and shifts in business strategy, and offers practical information of interest to consumers to help you understand the development of the incident and market trends. [more…]

During the pandemic, multiple cafes in South Korea experienced incidents where customers mistakenly added hand sanitizer—mistaking it for syrup—to their drinks. Despite clear labeling on the bottles, many consumers still confused the two, leading to health issues and consumer disputes. According to statistics from the Korea Consumer Agency, related complaints in 2020 skyrocketed 17 times compared to 2019, with over 20% of cases resulting in digestive system damage. This article delves into the underlying causes of these incidents and offers practical advice on identification and prevention. [more…]

The charm of pour over coffee lies in the control of details, but many beginners often end up with subpar flavors due to improper pouring techniques or stirring methods. This article takes the classic washed Yirgacheffe as an example, detailing key brewing parameters such as grind size, water temperature, and coffee-to-water ratio. It also breaks down the impact of pouring techniques and stirring intensity through step-by-step illustrations and explanations. Special attention is given to how excessive stirring can lead to bitter and astringent off-flavors, helping you master the core techniques for stable extraction and enhance the layered complexity of your coffee. [more…]

Although dosing grinders can automatically control the amount of coffee powder dispensed, users often encounter inconsistent powder output in practice. This article delves into the four major factors affecting the accuracy of dosing grinder output, including bean hopper capacity, residual grounds in the chute, coffee bean alignment, and grind size adjustment. It also offers practical tuning suggestions, such as keeping the bean hopper 4 to 7/10 full, resetting the time after each grind adjustment, and why professionals still recommend using an electronic scale. The article concludes with recommendations for home users on suitable grinders for making oily... [more…]

The creative boundaries of new-style beverages are constantly being challenged — from goji berry wellness milk tea to drinks featuring snail noodles, hot pot, or even raw-marinated hairy crabs. The ingredient combinations are startling. These beverages not only feature bold pairings but also offer ordering-style customization such as broth bases, spice levels, and topping choices. Is this boundless creativity or a blurring of limits? This article takes you through some of the most mind-boggling beverage combinations and reconsiders the reasonable scope of drink innovation. [more…]

A Starbucks outlet in Chongqing’s Ciqikou stirred heated debate after asking on-duty police officers to leave, prompting netizens to question the fairness of the store’s actions. At the time, the officers were having a meal at outdoor tables and chairs but were asked to leave—allegedly for affecting the brand image—and even faced complaints. Was this an overzealous enforcement of service standards or a misunderstanding of public space usage rights? This article delves into the incident and the reactions from all sides, exploring the boundaries between corporate social responsibility and public ethics. [more…]

To precisely control the strength and flavor profile of your pour over coffee, it's essential to understand how parameters such as coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, water temperature, and bypass interact. This article delves into how to scientifically adjust these elements to achieve an ideal flavor balance across different roast levels, avoid common extraction pitfalls, and provides practical parameter combinations for reference. [more…]

Label-free bottled drinks are gradually entering consumers' view. From Nestlé Coffee in Japan to Kangshifu Iced Black Tea domestically, such products respond to environmental concerns by simplifying their packaging. But can this model truly reduce carbon emissions, and what are its limitations and challenges? This article delves into the background of the launch of label-free drinks, market reactions, as well as practical details in their global promotion and future possibilities, helping readers gain a more comprehensive understanding of this new packaging trend. [more…]

Blue Bottle Coffee’s first mainland China store will officially open on February 25, 2022, by the Suzhou River in Shanghai, located in a historically significant two-story red-brick colonial building. How does this brand, renowned for its precise pour overs and freshly roasted beans, maintain its textbook-grade specialty coffee quality control standards in this new location? This article takes you behind the scenes to explore the roasting craftsmanship, architectural preservation insights, and tasting details worth noting at the store. [more…]

Geisha coffee has become the darling of the specialty coffee scene in recent years. However, there are notable differences between Panamanian Geisha and Ethiopian Geisha in terms of flavor profile, bean appearance, and growing background. This article will help readers understand the distinctions between the two by exploring their varietal origins, terroir, cupping performance, and green bean appearance. It also addresses what constitutes the more representative “Geisha flavor,” making it suitable for coffee enthusiasts with an advanced interest in specialty beans. [more…]

During the Beijing Winter Olympics, the mascot Bing Dwen Dwen became an overnight sensation, even sparking a wave of creative latte art. Many coffee enthusiasts attempted to recreate the Bing Dwen Dwen design on their lattes, while some cafés launched themed drinks to attract customers. However, both Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon are registered trademarks of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. Commercial use may constitute infringement. This article delves into whether it is legal for individuals to make Bing Dwen Dwen latte art, and what legal risks cafés face when selling related products—to help readers better understand... [more…]

The grinder is the soul of a pour over coffee setup, but with prolonged use, burrs and the grinding chamber can accumulate leftover coffee grounds and oils. This not only affects the flavor of your coffee, but may also reduce machine efficiency. This guide compiles practical cleaning and maintenance methods for both hand and electric grinders for home users — covering everything from daily quick cleans and the right time for regular deep disassembly, to alternative solutions for those unfamiliar with mechanical structures. It also includes an explanation of the “grinder rinse” technique to help you maintain your grinder in optimal condition and extract purer coffee. [more…]