How to Drink Coffee with Style: Hong Kong’s Top Cafés & Global Coffee Spots

Ever found yourself sipping a cup of coffee, unsure whether you’re really tasting it—or just going through the motions? Whether you're after a rich sensory experience or just want to know how to enjoy coffee the 'right' way, understanding what makes a great cup is more than half the battle. Actor and coffee enthusiast Michael Tse has spent years exploring coffee cultures from both hemispheres, tasting thousands of cups, and even running his own café. Here’s how to level up your coffee routine.

If you want to drink coffee like a pro, start with black coffee to experience its full range of flavors—from sweet to acidic to bitter—and aim to drink it between 10 a.m. and noon for optimal alertness without disrupting sleep. Visit Hong Kong cafés like The Coffee Academics, Amical, 18 Grams, and Knockbox for expertly brewed cups and unique experiences.

Coffee Basics: What Are You Actually Drinking?

Many people assume coffee has to be sweetened or diluted to be enjoyable. But according to Michael Tse, black coffee is where the real depth lies. "It’s similar to tea or wine," he explains. "There’s a complex interplay of sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and body. Only by drinking it black can you truly appreciate the bean’s natural profile."

Know Your Beans: Quality and Origins

Coffee quality heavily depends on origin. Among the more than 100 coffee-growing regions worldwide, certain beans stand out:

• Jamaica Blue Mountain: Renowned for balance, low bitterness, and low caffeine—prized yet expensive.
• Hawaiian Kona, Colombian, Guatemalan, Kenyan, and Cuban Coffees are also highly rated.

The three main coffee species are:

• Arabica : 70% of global production, 1–1.7% caffeine, nuanced flavor.
• Robusta : 2–4.5% caffeine, harsher, mostly used in instant blends—also the species of the famously expensive kopi luwak.
• Liberica : Rare (<5% of production), strong aroma but lower quality.

How to Drink Coffee the Right Way

The Golden Hours

Drink coffee after breakfast, ideally around 10 a.m., when caffeine can boost alertness without affecting nighttime sleep (it takes six hours to metabolize).

Temperature Matters

Always drink coffee while it’s hot. Cooling causes tannins to oxidize, increasing acidity and dulling flavor. Avoid blowing on it—it’s not elegant.

Tools & Technique

Use a coffee spoon for stirring, not drinking. Hold the cup by its handle with your right hand, and support the saucer with your left if needed. Don’t slurp from the saucer.

Sweeteners & Milk

Raw sugar and milk are ideal—but watch calories if you’re avoiding them. Non-dairy creamers? Not recommended.

Who Should Avoid Coffee?

Children under 12, pregnant women, elderly women, and those with hypertension, heart disease, stomach issues, or vitamin B1 deficiency should limit or avoid coffee.

Must-Visit Hong Kong Cafés

The Coffee Academics

38 Yiu Wa Street, Causeway Bay
Open: 10:00–23:00 (Mon–Thu), 10:00–02:00 (Fri–Sat), 12:00–21:00 (Sun)
Signature: Ice drip coffee, JEF cold brew
Michael Tse says: Their three house blends scored 91, 92, and 93 from Coffee Review—topping many international brands. Try their Custom Blending service to create a coffee tailored to your taste profile.

Amical

31-35 Lantern Street, Causeway Bay
Open: 10:00–19:00 (Sun–Wed, Fri–Sat), closed Thurs
Signature: Italian coffee, handmade brews, homemade cheesecake
Tse notes: Their Cameroonian beans shine across roast levels. Dark roasts bring out smooth body and fruit acidity, especially as espresso with milk. Light roasts preserve origin character with a thick, silky mouthfeel.

18 Grams

Shop C, G/F, 15 Kingston Street, Causeway Bay (near President Theatre)
Open: 08:30–21:30 daily
Signature: All-day breakfast, banana bread
Tse’s take: They use Australian milk for rich, sweet microfoam. Pair that with their version of banana bread and a Flat White, and you’ve got an Aussie-style classic.

Knockbox Coffee Company

21 Black Cloth Street, Mong Kok (near White Cloth Street)
Open: 10:00–22:00 daily, 18:00–22:00 Fri (special events)
Signature: Coffee Grand Slam, Cuppers Duo
Tse praises: The open layout lets you watch baristas work. There’s even a blackboard wall detailing origins and profiles. Beyond V60 and siphon, they offer AeroPress—truly a haven for coffee enthusiasts.

Global Coffee Destinations Worth the Trip

Jamaica – Blue Mountain Region

The birthplace of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee offers cool temps, cloud cover, and fertile soil. Many small farms still use traditional methods, serving some of the freshest, most authentic cups you’ll ever taste.

Vietnam – Buôn Ma Thuột

Home to the country’s coffee museum, this region showcases Brazil’s coffee legacy. The underground café serves Brazilian beans amid historical exhibits, offering both education and excellent brews.

Australia – Sydney

Every July, Sydney’s The Rocks district hosts the Aroma Festival—the largest coffee event in the southern hemisphere. Sample top roasts, attend brewing workshops, and consult the GOOD CAFE GUIDE to find top-rated local cafés.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three main types of coffee beans?

The primary coffee species are Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. Arabica makes up about 70% of global production, has 1–1.7% caffeine, and is known for its balanced, nuanced flavors. Robusta has higher caffeine (2–4.5%) and a harsher, more bitter taste, commonly used in instant coffee. Liberica is rare, with strong aroma but generally lower quality, accounting for less than 5% of production.

What are the basic English coffee tasting terms?

Key terms include: Flavor (overall taste impression), Acidity (bright, lively sensation, not sourness), Body (mouthfeel, from light to syrupy), Aroma (fragrance before and during drinking), Bitter (typically from over-extraction or dark roasts), Bland (weak or thin flavor), and Briny (salty taste from overheating).

When is the best time to drink coffee?

The optimal time is mid-morning, around 10 a.m., after breakfast. This timing helps boost alertness while allowing enough time for caffeine to metabolize before bedtime, which takes about six hours.

How should I hold a coffee cup properly?

Use the cup handle with your right hand, and optionally support the saucer with your left. Do not drink directly from the saucer, and avoid blowing on hot coffee to cool it—it’s better to let it sit or gently stir.

Can I add milk and sugar to specialty coffee?

While specialty coffee is best enjoyed black to appreciate its origin characteristics, adding milk and raw sugar is acceptable. Avoid non-dairy creamers, and be mindful of calorie intake if you’re watching your diet.

Which Hong Kong cafés does Michael Tse recommend?

Tse highlights The Coffee Academics for its high-scoring custom blends, Amical for its expertly roasted Cameroonian beans, 18 Grams for its Australian-style flat white and banana bread, and Knockbox for its open barista station and AeroPress options.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Coffee Exploration

Explore single-origin flavors with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera, a bright and juicy Ethiopian offering with notes of blueberry and citrus, perfect for appreciating origin character. For something more chocolatey and balanced, try Colombia La Palma y El Tucán, a medium roast with red apple and caramel undertones. Finally, the Kenya Little Tomato delivers vibrant acidity with blackcurrant and tomato leaf notes. These beans let you experience the complexity Michael Tse champions. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.