Coffee Culture
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
The Subtle Beauty of Japanese Coffee Culture
Explore how Japanese films and cafes portray coffee with quiet elegance, from pale brews to meditative preparation rituals.
Luxembourg’s Romantic Coffee Culture Blooms with Roses and Music
Discover how Luxembourg blends everyday coffee gatherings, rose gardens, and impromptu music into a uniquely charming cultural ritual.
Soviet Cafés and the Nostalgia for a Bygone Era
Explore why Soviet-themed cafés still exist in Russia today, reflecting a complex mix of nostalgia, memory, and national identity.
London Coffee Week Showcases UK’s Specialty Coffee Boom
The first UK Coffee Week celebrates Britain’s rising specialty coffee scene, with 10 days of events aiming to raise £1 million for African coffee communities.
How Starbucks Became a Global Coffee Icon
From a single Seattle shop to 100 stores in Hong Kong, this is how Starbucks transformed from a coffee retailer into a global cultural phenomenon.
Famous Coffee Lovers: Napoleon, Bach & Mathematicians
Discover how Napoleon, Bach, and mathematicians like Banach bonded over coffee — with true stories, habits, and even a legendary math notebook.
The Surprising Origins of Coffee Drinking
Discover how coffee drinking began—from a goat herder’s discovery to 18th-century European acclaim—with key historical details and legends.
Cycling Through Chengmai: Coffee, Sweet Potatoes & Ancient Temples
Discover 9 days exploring coconut groves, digging for sweet potatoes, and tasting bold, local coffee in Chengmai, Hainan’s historic coffee heartland.
How to Really Drink Coffee: The Loud Slurp Explained
Learn why professionals slurp coffee loudly and how proper aroma sniffing and drinking technique enhance your cup. Discover what really counts in tasting coffee.
How to Make Dancing Latte Art with Instant Coffee
Learn how to create a swirlable, dancing latte effect using instant coffee, milk, and sugar syrup—with just a few tools and no barista skills.
The People You Drink Coffee With Matter
A personal reflection on memorable coffee moments with writer Huang Canran and friends in Hong Kong, and why who you share coffee with matters.
Vietnamese Drip Coffee: How to Make Authentic 'Ca Phe Phin'
Vietnamese coffee takes 3–10 minutes to drip through a small metal phin filter. Learn the exact steps, from using condensed milk to setting the right grind.
How VIA Instant Coffee Mimics Fresh-Brewed Flavor
Starbucks' VIA instant coffee uses patented grinding to deliver rich, café-like flavor without brewing—here’s how it works and what to expect.
Why I’ve Given Up on Iced Coffee
A specialty coffee expert explains why most iced coffee fails—bad technique, poor water, and pre-brewed shortcuts ruin the drink.
The Elusive Dream of Community Coffee Shops in China
In China, non-chain cafés struggle to survive outside clusters or university hubs. Here’s why a simple, well-run neighborhood café remains rare.
Hot vs Cold Coffee: Why Temperature Matters
Water temperature drastically affects coffee flavor. Espresso thrives at 92–93°C, while iced coffee shines at 6°C—small changes make big differences.
How to Taste Coffee Gracefully: French Traditions & Techniques
Learn the refined etiquette of coffee tasting in France, how to assess clarity, and the 5-step method to enjoy black coffee properly.
World's Most Famous Specialty Coffee Beans Explained
Learn what makes Jamaican Blue Mountain, Colombian Supremo, Ethiopian Mocha, and other iconic coffees truly special — origin, roast, flavor, and facts.
Neighbor Shares Expired Instant Coffee in Guangzhou Community
A Guangzhou apartment resident leaves 26 boxes of near-expiry instant coffee outside his door for neighbors to take freely, sparking appreciation online.
Howard Schultz’s ‘Onward’ Reveals Starbucks’ Turnaround
Discover how Howard Schultz returned as CEO in 2008 to rescue Starbucks from crisis, rebuild its values, and return the company to profitability.