Café
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
Phonograph Café: Vinyl, Tea, and Russian Tunes
Explore a hidden café in Xiamen blending rare vinyl, live phonograph sound, and classic Hong Kong-style milk tea in one listening room.
Common Coffee and Tea Names in English
Find the standard English names for popular coffees like Colombian and Jamaican Blue Mountain, and teas such as Dragon Well and Pu’er. Quick reference guide.
15 Essential Phrases for Specialty Coffee Shop Staff
Master 15 must-know English phrases for serving customers in a specialty coffee shop, from order-taking to upselling and handling payments.
What Coffee Drinks Should a Café Offer?
A complete guide to 37 classic and signature coffee drinks suitable for café menus, with roast profiles, preparation methods, and drink ratios.
10 Smart Location Tips for Opening a Specialty Coffee Shop
Learn ten proven strategies for choosing the right location for your new coffee shop, including following competitors and complementary businesses.
How a Rural Sichuan Family Opened Their First Town Cafe
A farming family in remote Longhua, China, defied local norms to launch the town’s first café, betting on tourism and lifestyle shifts.
How 79 People Crowdfunded a Democratic Café in Beijing
A 200-sq-m café in Beijing was funded by 79 strangers via a 2,000–20,000 RMB investment model. It’s run democratically, with capped voting rights and no majority shareholder.
Kunming’s First Cat Café Serves Coffee and Books
Kunming’s first cat café lets visitors enjoy coffee, read books, and play with 21 pedigreed cats—including Persians and Scottish Folds.
How I Love Coffee Game Lets Players Run Their Own Cafe
Explore how the Korean simulation game I Love Coffee lets players build and manage a virtual café, learn coffee skills, and engage with customers.
How Nestlé Coffee Became a Global Brand
Nestlé’s coffee tastes different in every country—but its brand strategy remains globally consistent. Here’s how it became one of the most valuable food brands.
Starbucks vs Costa: China’s Early Coffee Chain War
How Starbucks and Costa battled for dominance in China’s untapped coffee market, from store numbers to roast styles and customer habits.
How Houchen Coffee Set Up 6 Cafés Along China’s Highways
Houchen Coffee partnered with Sinopec to open six convenience-style cafés in service areas along the Haikou–Sanya East Expressway, serving local coffee to travelers.
Wenzhou’s First Cat Café Welcomes 13 Resident Cats
A new cat café in Wenzhou lets visitors enjoy coffee while interacting with 13 pet cats—including a £5,000 Bengal—without buying them.
How 78 Shareholders Built a Collective Coffee Shop in Beijing
In 2011, 78 strangers pooled money to open a Beijing coffee shop, pioneering a democratic model of shared ownership and management.
How Independent Bookstores Survive with Specialty Appeal
British and American indie bookshops thrive by adding cafes, art spaces and local events — here’s exactly how they beat digital disruption.
Most Coffee Shop Owners in Hangzhou Open for Passion, Not Profit
A report on 10 Hangzhou coffee shops finds all were started to fulfill personal dreams, not financial goals—most owners accept slow growth or losses.
The Coffee Shop Illusion: Why Passion Isn’t Enough
Many open coffee shops for the vibe, not the business. Here’s why that dream often fades—and what really keeps cafés alive.
Car Showrooms and Salons Become Themed Cafés
Explore how Fiat Caffe and CafeSalon merge automotive or beauty services with specialty coffee experiences in unique themed cafés.
Engineers Quit High-Paying Jobs to Open Coffee Shop
A former mechanical engineer and chemical engineer left stable careers to chase their dream of opening a specialty coffee shop, starting with street vending.
How 'Coffee Lovers' Lets Players Run Their Own Virtual Cafe
Discover how the social game Coffee Lovers lets players simulate managing a cozy café, brewing coffee, decorating, and building a personalized sweet coffee shop.