After Typhoon Hagsa passed, cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen lifted the "Five Suspensions" measures, and residents were eager to resume their afternoon tea time through food delivery platforms. Chain tea shops such as Starbucks, Heytea, and Nayuki were suddenly flooded with a massive number of orders. Some outlets received two to three hundred orders in a short time, overwhelming the bubble tea makers. This article delves into the reasons behind the surge in beverage consumption after the typhoon and explores the actual challenges faced by stores and frontline staff during this order rush, as well as their coping strategies. [more…]

The coffee series promotional campaign launched by tea beverage brand Gongming in collaboration with actor Daniel Wu has sparked polarized feedback from consumers due to the use of celebrity image packaging bags across all national outlets. Many customers found the design lacking in aesthetic appeal, with the headshot style being criticized as resembling health product packaging. This article analyzes common points of controversy in brand collaboration packaging and offers practical suggestions for aligning packaging design with the aesthetics of younger consumers. [more…]

A service dispute that occurred at a Starbucks outlet in Terminal 2 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport made headlines after an employee insulted Chinese tourists in Malay. The incident not only exposed sensitive issues in cross-cultural communication but also prompted a swift response from Starbucks. This article details the course of the event, the official handling process, and analyzes the service and training reflections it brings to coffee industry professionals. [more…]

The second collaboration between Lucky Coffee and "Honkai: Star Rail" has sparked a wave of enthusiasm, but many fans have reported a severe shortage of limited-edition cups and themed paper bags—even cross-store bundling makes it difficult to complete the set. This article analyzes the reasons for the shortage, shares practical purchasing strategies, and examines the impact of these packaging materials on collectible value to help you improve your chances of getting them. [more…]

Recently, a Merryice employee was spotted wearing a cigarette-shaped hair accessory clipped to the brim of a baseball cap. Once the photo went viral online, it quickly stirred heated discussions among netizens. The act was criticized for trivializing smoking behavior, raising concerns not only about potential damage to the brand’s image but also about food hygiene—especially the potential impact on underage consumers. What store management and brand image issues does this incident reflect? How have the brand and the employee responded? This article will take an in-depth look. [more…]

The Tea Bijiao × Luzhou Laojiao collaboration drink 'Drunk on the Path', which caused a stir five years ago, has recently made a comeback. This creative beverage that combines white liquor with milk tea once captivated many with its rich, liqueur-like texture reminiscent of chocolate ganache. Now that it’s back, it has garnered mixed reviews—some are enchanted by the clash of alcohol and creamy flavors, while others find the liquor taste too overpowering. This article delves into the flavor profile of the new version, compares real consumer feedback, and explores the subtle differences between recipe adjustments and taste memory. [more…]

The Chinese budget beverage brand Marshmallow Tea (MIXUE) is reportedly gearing up to enter the U.S. market, with its first store located in a prime commercial area at the intersection of New York City's Chinatown and Tribeca in Manhattan. The annual rent for this location reportedly amounts to a staggering $340,000, posing significant challenges in terms of high operational costs. This article delves into MIXUE’s site selection strategy, the pressures of high rent, and the market opportunities it faces—exploring whether it can break through in a Starbucks-dominated market with its low-price strategy. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts who use a Moka pot often wonder: is it necessary to use filter paper? And if so, how should it be placed to achieve the best results? In fact, filter paper in a Moka pot extraction not only helps distribute water flow but can also effectively enhance coffee flavor and make cleaning easier. This article will delve into the practical effects of placing the filter paper either at the bottom of the coffee basket or on top of the coffee puck, including its impact on extraction pressure, fine particle filtration, and coffee grounds production—helping you better understand how to adjust for your ideal cup. [more…]

Washed and natural are two of the most common coffee processing methods, and they significantly influence the aroma, acidity, and flavor profile of coffee beans. This article takes Emerald Estate’s Diamond Mountain as an example to deeply analyze the differences in processing steps, drying times, and fermentation levels between the two methods. Through practical brewing comparisons, it will help you understand the rich layers of natural-processed coffee and the clean, bright character of washed-processed coffee—assisting you in finding your ideal coffee flavor based on your taste preferences. [more…]

Starbucks in North America has updated its dress code policy, requiring employees to wear black tops, pants in designated color schemes, and waterproof shoes, while also banning facial decorations. However, employees must bear the cost of purchasing the new attire and removing makeup or piercings themselves, and the company has refused to reimburse these expenses. This has led to collective lawsuits filed by employees in Illinois, Colorado, and California. This article delves into the origins of the dispute, the specific demands of the staff, and the brand’s response strategy, helping you understand the key points of this labor-management standoff. [more…]

Luckin is set to relaunch its classic drink, the “Coconut Mango Pomelo,” at the end of September. This dessert beverage, which has been off the menu for three years, is highly anticipated by fans. However, the unveiling of its new recipe has sparked discussions among staff — the drink now involves 12 preparation steps and six additional ingredients, making store operations more complicated and posing challenges with limited fridge storage space. This article takes an in-depth look at the drink’s recipe details, operational hurdles, and real-world challenges faced by stores, offering insight into the brand strategy and market response behind it. [more…]

When brewing lattes at home, the golden ratio of coffee to milk often leaves people puzzled. In reality, this ratio can be adjusted based on the roast level of the coffee beans, the extraction method, and whether you prefer a hot or iced drink. This article starts with the basics of espresso extraction, then delves into the applicable parameters for medium-dark roast, medium roast, and dark roast beans, and provides practical ratio ranges for both hot and iced lattes to help you craft a balanced and richly flavored ideal latte. [more…]

Recording the brewing time during pour over coffee is not just about keeping rhythm—it’s also a key tool for diagnosing brewing issues. Many beginner coffee enthusiasts think timing isn’t important, but in reality, by observing the brew time, you can quickly identify whether your grind size, pouring technique, or filter choice is appropriate. This article takes an in-depth look at why tracking time matters, what different time intervals indicate about extraction problems, and how to adjust grind size, pouring method, and equipment setup—so that every brew you make is more stable and outstanding. [more…]

Although Rwanda is a small African country, it is renowned for its high altitudes, volcanic soil, and washed processing methods, producing top-tier coffee with delicate flavors. This article delves into the characteristics of its flagship variety, Red Bourbon, the key steps in washed processing, and how the Nyamasheke region shapes its unique cup profile of berries, apricots, and green tea—helping you grasp the flavor essence and selection essentials of this specialty coffee. [more…]

Want to brew a rich, non-bitter dark roast iced pour over at home with a pronounced aftertaste? Many people trying dark roast iced pour over for the first time often encounter issues such as weak flavor, overly watery taste, or even bitterness. This article provides an in-depth analysis on how to improve extraction efficiency—and preserve bold flavors while avoiding over-extraction—by adjusting water temperature, coffee-to-water-to-ice ratio, and multi-pour techniques. Includes practical parameters and step-by-step instructions so that even beginners can get it right with ease. [more…]

Many beginners in pour over coffee often encounter a common issue: the brewed coffee is neither bitter nor astringent, yet the flavors come out vague and indistinct, making it hard to discern specific layers. Many assume it’s a bean quality issue, but in reality, the brewing process is the key factor. This article delves into the four most common reasons for dull coffee flavors—high concentration, over-extraction, beans being too fresh, and hard water—along with detailed adjustment suggestions and practical tips to help you easily optimize your pour over experience and enhance coffee enjoyment. [more…]

When making cold brew at home, the oily layer on the surface and fine coffee grounds at the bottom often raise concerns about spoilage or unclean equipment. In reality, this is related to the release of water-soluble fats from the coffee beans. This article delves into the causes of oils in cold brew, compares how different filter materials affect taste based on their pore characteristics, and provides tips such as double filtering with paper filters and allowing the brew to settle. These methods help enhance juiciness and clarity. It also teaches you how to properly clean your equipment to avoid any rancid taste. [more…]

The extraction quality of your pour over coffee often starts with the choice and use of the filter paper. This article provides an in-depth guide on the correct steps for using filter paper, including detailed folding techniques for pleated filters, solutions for poor fit between non-woven filters and the filter cone, and practical everyday usage tips. Whether you prefer unbleached, bleached, or non-woven materials, you’ll learn how to maximize the effectiveness of your filter paper—enhancing both the consistency and flavor purity of your pour over brew. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts often confuse black coffee with Americano when ordering, but in fact, the definitions of the two are quite different. This article will delve into the true meaning of black coffee, help you understand how Americano is made, and expand to introduce various types of black coffee including espresso and pour over. It will also clarify which category drinks belong to when milk or syrup is added. After reading this, you’ll be able to order more accurately at coffee shops and won’t be confused by the names anymore. [more…]

Mandheling coffee is renowned for its intense herbaceous, woody, and earthy aromas, but this distinctive flavor has seemed to become less pronounced in recent years. This article will delve into the origins of the herbal notes in Indonesian Mandheling, analyzing their causes from factors such as bean variety selection, regional differences, and the wet-hulling processing method. It will also compare the selection criteria and quality differences between Golden Mandheling and regular Mandheling, and explain how to identify authentic PWN Golden Mandheling—helping you choose higher-quality Indonesian beans. [more…]