Luckin Coffee’s annual collaboration with 'Tom and Jerry' has arrived as scheduled this year, featuring the 'Milk Skin Latte' and 'Coconut Lychee Pomelo Sago', along with limited-edition merchandise and themed packaging. However, many consumers noticed that the Tom cat on the cup has 'three eyes', sparking heated discussion: was it a printing error or an intentional design? This article delves into the origins of the incident and explores the balance between artistic expression and public perception in IP collaborations. [more…]

Recently, a dispute occurred at a coffee shop in Guizhou when a customer, unable to pick up their order and refused when requesting delivery instead, angrily spilled their coffee. The staff member, who was on duty alone and unable to leave their post, was subjected to repeated phone harassment and had the drink thrown at them by the customer as an emotional outburst. The incident has sparked widespread discussion online, with most netizens supporting the staff member’s position and reminding consumers to handle disputes rationally. This article details the sequence of events, analyzes the responsibilities of both parties, and offers practical advice to help customers and shops resolve issues more smoothly. [more…]

Choosing the right grind size is key to brewing great coffee. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the ideal coffee grind fineness for six common brewing methods: pour over, cold brew (including ice drip), French press, clever dripper, moka pot, and espresso machine. It also offers precise reference data based on the passing rate through China’s standard 20-mesh sieve. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced home barista, you’ll learn scientifically grounded adjustment techniques to avoid common mistakes and extract richer, more balanced coffee flavors. [more…]

Oil on the surface of coffee beans often raises questions — does it indicate high quality or staleness? This article delves into the science behind coffee bean oiling, explores how roast level, processing methods, and storage practices influence this phenomenon, and offers practical storage advice to help you better understand the changes in coffee beans. [more…]

From the first sip to the last drop, the flavor of a freshly brewed pour over coffee subtly shifts over time and with temperature changes. This article presents an in-depth tasting analysis of a dark roasted Golden Mandheling and a light roasted Gu Ding Ding, documenting how aroma, acidity-sweetness balance, and mouthfeel evolve at various time points and temperatures—identifying the optimal drinking window at room temperature. It also addresses common questions such as whether reheating can restore lost flavors, and how covering or insulating your cup can help prolong aroma, helping you savor the golden moment of every cup. [more…]

Luckin Coffee recently removed eight newly launched drinks introduced in the past six months, including Juicy Peach Tea and Iced Coconut Latte, from its shelves. The company also instructed all nationwide stores to pour unopened ingredients still within their shelf life—such as coconut jelly and green bean-flavored fresh milk—down the drain, sparking heated discussions among employees and netizens. Why were these fresh ingredients wasted? What inventory management challenges does the brand face behind its rapid menu updates? This article provides an in-depth analysis of the incident and the current state of the industry. [more…]

Once renowned for its affordable prices and attentive service, the local Anhui milk tea brand Kawangka has in recent years drawn consumer dissatisfaction due to multiple quiet price increases on its beverages. From classic red bean milk tea to the popular "Black Full Set," prices have risen steadily while few promotional offers have been introduced, leaving many loyal customers feeling disappointed. This article will delve into the history of Kawangka’s price hikes, present real feedback from local consumers, and explore the brand’s pricing strategy and challenges in the competitive tea beverage market. [more…]

The well-known Canadian coffee chain Tims has recently come under scrutiny following an incident where store management was allegedly involved in orchestrating fake marriages with underage employees to commit immigration fraud. In addition, several former employees have revealed issues such as low wages, discriminatory hiring practices, and unpaid training within the brand. This article details the sequence of events, analyzes the labor violations at the involved stores, and provides basic knowledge of relevant Canadian employment and immigration laws to help readers identify potential risks. [more…]

Finding it hard to order just one cup of coffee or tea because the minimum delivery amount is too high and you’re forced to bundle items? Many consumers have reported that the minimum delivery fee set by chain tea and coffee shops is usually between 20 to 30 yuan, but a single drink often costs just over ten yuan—making it impossible to place an order for just one item. This article delves into the reasons behind high delivery minimums, the real frustrations faced by consumers, and the reality that stores can't adjust these thresholds on their own, helping readers understand the ins and outs of this common issue. [more…]

Want to tell if coffee beans are light roasted or dark roasted? Besides checking the roaster’s label, you can actually determine the roast level easily by evaluating flavor, appearance, and brewing parameters. This article will teach you how to classify roast degrees based on the intensity of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness, and combine common pour over flavor profiles to estimate which roast stage the beans belong to. It also provides corresponding suggestions for water temperature, grind size, and brew ratio, allowing you to adjust extraction according to roast level and avoid under-extraction or over-extraction. [more…]

The blooming step in pour over coffee may seem basic, but it often leaves beginners wondering if it’s truly necessary. This article delves into the science behind blooming, helping you understand how it improves extraction efficiency by releasing carbon dioxide. Through practical taste comparisons using both light and dark roasted beans, we present the flavor differences with and without blooming. Additionally, we explore scenarios where blooming can be skipped—such as specific bean conditions or alternative brewing methods—to help you flexibly adjust your process based on your needs. [more…]

Blooming is the first step in pour over brewing and a crucial phase that impacts the overall flavor expression. Proper blooming time and precise pouring techniques can effectively release carbon dioxide and help the hot water evenly extract the flavorful compounds from the coffee. This article delves into how different filter cone structures affect blooming, provides two practical pouring methods, and teaches you how to adjust blooming time by observing the coffee bed—helping you easily master both the basics and advanced details of pour over brewing. [more…]

Many people assume that the depth or clarity of coffee liquor can indicate coffee quality. However, in reality, the color is influenced by numerous factors such as brewing method, filtration tools, roast level, and concentration, and it is not absolutely correlated with the intrinsic quality of the coffee. This article will delve into the scientific principles behind coffee liquor color, explaining why some brews appear cloudy while others are crystal clear—helping you better understand the visual characteristics of a cup of coffee. [more…]

Want to simplify your pour over process without sacrificing flavor? Norwegian barista Patrik Rolf, who secured second place at the 2019 World Brewers Cup, has developed an easy-to-follow yet well-balanced two-stage pouring method. This article delves into the core principles of his technique, along with complete parameters using 15g of washed Gesha beans from Finca Emerald Estate. From suitable filter types and grind size to specific pouring steps, we’ll guide you through the key extraction elements—perfect for both beginners and daily brewing. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts often wonder: should you add water or espresso first when making an Americano? This seemingly simple step actually impacts crema retention, aroma release, and overall flavor. This article deeply compares the practical differences between the two methods, analyzes the fundamental distinctions between long black coffee and Americano, and provides useful extraction parameters and coffee bean recommendations to help you craft a better black coffee. [more…]

Cold brew coffee is a favorite choice for many when making iced coffee at home due to its simple brewing process and refreshing flavor. But with steeping times ranging from 8 to 18 hours, how do you choose the optimal duration to extract the best flavor? Can filtered cold brew be left overnight? This article analyzes the impact of different steeping durations on flavor through multiple sets of experimental data, provides practical time recommendations, and explains how refrigeration after filtration enhances mouthfeel—helping you easily master this home brewing technique. [more…]

Starbucks has announced a $1 billion restructuring plan focused on closing underperforming stores and streamlining its organization. The sudden permanent closure of the world’s first Seattle Roastery has drawn significant attention. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the restructuring details, including $850 million in asset disposal costs, layoffs of 900 non-retail positions, and the strategic rationale behind expanding in some European markets while contracting in others—helping readers understand the business considerations behind this transformation of a global coffee giant. [more…]

Luckin Coffee’s popular frozen drink, the Matcha Frappuccino, will be taken off the menu on September 26. Many staff members are looking forward to the discontinuation of this "most difficult to make" beverage due to its complicated preparation process. However, upcoming new products such as the Coconut Lychee Pomelo may bring even greater operational challenges. This article details the reasons and timeline for the Frappuccino’s discontinuation, and analyzes the potential impact of the new drinks on store operations. [more…]

Cappuccino is a beloved classic milk coffee enjoyed by coffee lovers around the world, but in Italy, there's an unwritten rule—ordering one in the afternoon may draw strange looks. This article delves into the unique flavor logic of the Italian cappuccino, from the science behind thick foam formation and the crucial role of dark roasted beans, to authentic extraction parameters (20g coffee grounds yielding 39g liquid in 28 seconds), and explores why this "breakfast-only drink" rarely appears in the afternoon. Includes practical tips on controlling milk foam thickness (1.5cm) and flavor notes. [more…]

The well-known fruit tea brand 7 fen tian has come under public scrutiny after netizens revealed that the brand uses quick-frozen mango pieces with a shelf life of up to 24 months in its beverages, sparking questions about ingredient transparency among chain drink establishments. Although the brand promotes the use of fresh mangoes, it may in practice mix them with long-shelf-life frozen mango chunks. Customer service confirmed the 24-month shelf life but failed to explain the reason for using such products. This article delves into the full story and explores the balance between ingredient selection in the beverage industry and consumers' right to know. [more…]