Have you ever received a takeaway latte, only to find that it lacks the expected layer of foam when you open it? A customer complaint about a takeaway latte from Manner sparked widespread discussion, with staff claiming that “takeaway lattes are not supposed to have foam in the first place,” prompting skepticism among consumers. This issue actually involves the physical properties of milk foam, the impact of the delivery process on beverages, and the trade-off that shops make between a full cup and taste quality. This article delves into why some takeaway lattes are not frothed with foam, and provides practical insights to help both consumers and businesses. [more…]

Among hand pour coffee enthusiasts, cone-shaped drippers are the most common, but the once-popular trapezoidal dripper (also known as the fan-shaped dripper) has become increasingly rare. What advantages does the trapezoidal dripper offer? Why did it gradually fade from the mainstream with the rise of light roasts? This article delves into the historical evolution and structural design principles of the trapezoidal dripper, and includes a practical comparative test with the conical V60 dripper to help readers choose the most suitable dripper based on their needs—enhancing extraction stability and flavor expression. [more…]

Recently, many consumers have noticed that the tables and chairs originally provided for customers to rest in Meli Snow Tea (蜜雪冰城) stores have been gradually removed, sparking widespread discussion. In fact, this adjustment not only improves the in-store environment but also frees up space for brand product displays. What are the actual considerations behind removing the tables and chairs? How have consumers and staff reacted? This article delves into the reasons and impacts of the layout changes in Meli Snow Tea outlets. [more…]

Recently, the well-known bubble tea brand Lishanshan Tea has sparked heated discussion among consumers due to its unique packaging method. Many customers have reported that the brand’s takeaway service does not provide traditional paper bags or handles, but instead uses an unusually shaped green cloth strap to tie the cups together. This approach has been jokingly referred to by netizens as a “thong,” and has raised concerns over usability and safety due to issues such as poor stability and the risk of spills. This article takes an in-depth look at the incident, compares common takeaway packaging solutions on the market, and explores the balance between environmental ideals and the practical needs of consumers. [more…]

Starbucks is investing $1 billion to restructure its North American operations, closing hundreds of underperforming stores and laying off a large number of employees, sparking strong protests from baristas and the union at its Seattle headquarters. This article delves into the details of the layoff decisions, disputes over employee placement, and the labor disputes being investigated by New York regulatory authorities, providing you with a comprehensive view of this storm affecting thousands of industry professionals. [more…]

When the well-known tea beverage chain Mixue quietly began serializing the novel 《Snow King Sells Coffee in Ancient Times》 on customer receipts, this creative move not only successfully captured consumers’ attention but also sparked a “chase-for-the-next-chapter” trend on social media. This article delves into the cross-era coffee-themed story and explores how the brand leveraged such a small detail as a receipt to create viral marketing, offering inspiration for coffee and tea businesses. [more…]

Unstable extraction pressure, weak steam, and rough milk foam? These common issues often stem from a lack of proper maintenance for your espresso machine. This article delves into the causes behind typical espresso machine malfunctions, covering how to identify worn seals, how to replace them yourself, as well as detailed steps for deep cleaning the steam system and extraction unit. It also provides advice on daily maintenance and appropriate cleaning schedules to help you effectively extend the machine’s lifespan and stabilize extraction quality. [more…]

Have you noticed that most of the coffee you’ve been drinking in recent years has a noticeable acidity? Is it that good coffee is supposed to be acidic, or has the shift in roasting methods made acidity the mainstream? This article delves into the reasons behind the rise of coffee acidity, exploring historical roasting trends, the specialty coffee revolution, and the Nordic light roast movement to help you understand the balance between acidity and bitterness. By analyzing two classic beans—Blue Mountain No. 1 and Natural Huakui—we examine how different roast levels affect flavor, and offer practical advice on bean selection and brewing. [more…]

The appropriate duration for the bloom step in pour over coffee has long puzzled many beginners. It's often said that blooming for too long can lead to under-extraction, but theoretically, blooming helps release carbon dioxide and improves extraction efficiency. So what’s the real difference between 30 seconds and 1 minute 30 seconds of blooming? This article uses experimental data to compare the effects of these two bloom durations on extraction rate, water temperature, and flavor, and analyzes potential extraction issues that may arise in extreme cases — helping you find the optimal bloom time. [more…]

Freezing coffee beans is a common method for extending their shelf life, but sometimes the brewed coffee may lack aroma or have a flat flavor. In fact, with the right storage methods and brewing parameters, frozen beans can still deliver excellent results. This article explains in detail how to properly portion and seal your beans, prevent condensation, whether frozen beans need to be thawed, adjustment techniques for different brewing strategies, and provides tested data to illustrate the differences—helping you master the key techniques for brewing frozen coffee beans with precision. [more…]

Although Guming’s pistachio milk cap drink launched in September received positive feedback from customers, it has put significant pressure on staff. While its unique aroma attracts consumers, the preparation process is challenging—pistachio paste is thick and hard to pour, and whipping it takes over 10 minutes, especially during morning rush orders when it becomes a “nightmare” for employees. This article delves into the practical difficulties reported by staff and offers useful prep suggestions and precautions to help understand the challenges behind making tea beverages. [more…]

During the National Day holiday, Tims launched a limited-time promotion at stores in cities such as Harbin and Heze. Customers who purchased specified items had the chance to receive a customized maple leaf craft embedded with 2mg of solid gold, some even engraved with local landmarks. This small yet thoughtful giveaway received an enthusiastic response and left netizens in Canada green with envy, prompting them to complain about hygiene issues at local branches. This article takes you through the details of the promotion and the cultural contrast it highlights. [more…]

During the coffee brewing process, you may have heard the term "By pass water" but aren't quite sure what it actually does. In fact, By pass refers to water that bypasses extraction through the coffee grounds and goes directly into the cup. It is widely used in Americanos, iced pour overs, and even competition adjustments. This article provides an easy-to-understand breakdown of the principles behind By pass water, how it is actively or passively created, and offers practical operational tips to help you master this technique precisely and enhance your coffee's flavor profile. [more…]

The grading of Emerald Estate Geisha is complex, with significant price differences between the red and green labels often leaving buyers puzzled. This article provides an in-depth analysis of their cultivation altitudes, processing methods, traceability details, and actual flavor profiles. It explains why the green label is considered a high cost-performance option and offers expert pour over recommendations to help you make the most suitable purchasing decision based on your needs. [more…]

Luckin Coffee has recently been reported to possibly adopt fresh fruit slicers in place of its original frozen lemon slices, aiming to enhance the taste of lemon tea and improve the customer service experience. However, this move has raised concerns among many store employees regarding the cleaning process and increased working hours. This article delves into the background of this adjustment, its pros and cons, and explores the practical application and potential challenges of using fresh fruit slicers in tea beverage shops. [more…]

On the eve of National Day, Starbucks China posted a vibrant two-tone drink poster on Xiaohongshu. Due to its color scheme closely resembling the teaser for Taylor Swift’s new album, it triggered fan speculation about a potential collaboration. However, the two new products launched on October 3 turned out to be merely regular customizable drinks, leaving consumers who had hoped for a collab deeply disappointed. This article delves into the cause of the misunderstanding, reviews past collaborations between the two, and explores the diverse reactions within the fandom, helping you understand the marketing mishap. [more…]

Recently, many consumers have noticed that GuMing stores have quietly removed their signature milk tea, “Uncle Milk Tea,” with a noticeable reduction in milk tea offerings. In its place, the proportion of coffee beverages has increased, sparking discomfort and heated discussion among many loyal customers. This article delves into the reasons behind GuMing’s menu adjustments, explores the strategic challenges faced by tea beverage brands transitioning into the coffee business, and shares real consumer feedback and observations to help readers understand market changes and make informed choices. [more…]

Luckin, in collaboration with "Tom and Jerry," launched the "Milk Skin Latte," drawing inspiration from the distinctive milk skin of Inner Mongolia to create a novel milky flavor experience. However, consumer feedback post-launch has been mixed—some praise its unique pudding-like texture, while many complain about the separation of sweet and bitter notes and the difficulty of blending the milk jelly with the coffee. This article delves into the true flavor profile of this drink, the differences in user reviews, as well as the correct definition of Inner Mongolian milk skin, helping you understand the reasons behind the controversy and offering drinking suggestions. [more…]

Recently, it was discovered that some chain coffee shops use pre-made concentrated syrup to prepare cold brew, sparking consumer doubts about "freshness" and "quality." Is cold brew necessarily made fresh? Do pre-made syrups meet standards? This article delves into the craft of cold brew preparation, practical operations in stores, and compares the flavor differences between pre-made and freshly made versions, helping readers make smarter choices. [more…]

When the well-known affordable tea beverage brand Melting Snow Ice City’s Zhengzhou branch was caught on camera with rats scurrying through its piping, it not only raised consumer concerns about beverage hygiene but also exposed pest and rodent control loopholes often overlooked in the chain catering industry. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the full incident, covering the store’s response measures, regulatory authority investigations, and expert-recommended practical anti-rodent solutions to help readers understand how to assess the hygiene management standards of beverage shops. [more…]