https://www.scmp.com/rss/329812/feed From bean to cup, we look at all aspects of the global coffee industry, taking in crops, stocks, cafes and more. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Salomé Grouard Salomé Grouard Taipei is a special destination for foodies. Besides its famed night markets, iconic beef noodles and a growing constellation of Michelin-starred restaurants, the city’s real soul is in its hidden corners, where you’ll find craft beer paired with mala fried chicken; sweet potato coffee, created by a latte art champion, no less; wild teas poured like wine and Dongpo pork with a black tea soy milk cocktail served inside a hidden VHS-lined bistro. Chicken Bar by Weekend View this post... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3351948/unsung-eats-5-best-places-eat-and-drink-taipei?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3351948/unsung-eats-5-best-places-eat-and-drink-taipei?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 10:00:10 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok Several of Hong Kong’s leading coffee specialists have opened new branches alongside some intriguing newcomers. Read on for our pick of the five new cafes to visit in May. 1. Artista Perfetto While Hollywood Road may be better known for nightlife with its collection of bars and fast-food shops under the Mid-Levels Escalator, a new addition offers early birds a quality fuelling stop. The third branch of Artista Perfetto is its tiniest yet, with enough room for just a few customers to stand and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3351939/5-new-cafes-and-coffee-shops-try-hong-kong-may-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3351939/5-new-cafes-and-coffee-shops-try-hong-kong-may-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok The Easter long weekend marks the perfect time to check out a number of Hong Kong’s latest coffee shops, although if you work in Sheung Wan or Kwun Tong you will definitely want to mark some of these down for when you need a break from the office. Apart from enjoying these five new openings, coffee fans should take note of this weekend (April 3-6), which sees the return of Coffee HK at West Kowloon. More than 80 international coffee and cafe brands – including Shanghai’s Captain George Flavor... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3348394/5-new-cafes-and-coffee-shops-try-hong-kong-april-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3348394/5-new-cafes-and-coffee-shops-try-hong-kong-april-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:15:07 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian With Chinese coffee brands eyeing overseas expansion, analysts said those seeking to succeed as global players must move beyond low-price strategies and a narrow focus on operational efficiency. “Overseas consumers have long associated Chinese brands mainly with cost performance,” said Fu Yifu, a special research fellow at Su Merchants Bank in Nanjing, in the eastern Jiangsu province. “To succeed globally, the core is to build a presence rooted in China’s operational efficiency while blending... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348412/chinese-coffee-brands-need-more-low-prices-compete-global-players-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3348412/chinese-coffee-brands-need-more-low-prices-compete-global-players-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:30:09 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng When Peel Street – one of Hong Kong’s best streets for a quality tipple – is nestled between a small traditional temple and retro Hong Kong lifestyle brand Goods of Desire on Hollywood Road, bars focusing on nostalgia like Friday After Class are sure to do well. This is especially the case with Friday After Class’ upcoming menu, The Third Culture Sip. Launching on March 30, the programme explores unlikely pairings of countries and flavours across seven drinks, – much like the colourful... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3348000/drink-focus-tropical-spicy-brew-friday-after-class?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3348000/drink-focus-tropical-spicy-brew-friday-after-class?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:00:44 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A coffee shop in China is offering a new type of Americano which includes eggs brewed in child urine, a drink believed to be of nutritional value. The shop in Dongyang city in eastern China’s Zhejiang province recently began to offer the special brew, claiming it was popular. Costing 28 yuan (US$4) per cup, the outlet sold more than 100 cups a day at weekends. Eggs brewed in child urine are a speciality in Dongyang. Locals believe that child urine, or urine from boys under the age of 10, can... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346995/china-cafe-offers-coffee-made-eggs-brewed-child-urine-considered-nutritious-delicacy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346995/china-cafe-offers-coffee-made-eggs-brewed-child-urine-considered-nutritious-delicacy?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:00:10 +0000 Kolette Lim Kolette Lim In Singapore’s famous Takashimaya shopping centre, those looking for a quick caffeine fix are spoiled for choice. There is, of course, the ubiquitous Starbucks, as well as an outlet of China’s rapidly expanding Luckin Coffee franchise. But it’s a third option, Kenangan Coffee – an upstart brand from Indonesia that opened its first branch in Singapore in 2023 – that most appeals to 27-year-old shopper Sarah Shah. “I really like Kenangan’s range of drinks, especially how they balance classic... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3345469/how-southeast-asias-coffee-chains-are-brewing-cross-border-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3345469/how-southeast-asias-coffee-chains-are-brewing-cross-border-success?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:20 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok As we enter into Hong Kong’s typically humid and mega-event-filled March, having a reliable hit list of cafes and coffee shops to duck into for a breather is always a good idea. From a coffee spot located on the outer edge of a major park to a tea lover’s sanctuary in the heart of the city, here are some new places to head to this month. 1. Back To… Just past the northwest edge of Victoria Park in Tin Hau is this fresh opening that has proven a hotspot for dog-watching, especially if you snag... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3344451/5-new-cafes-and-coffee-shops-try-hong-kong-march-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3344451/5-new-cafes-and-coffee-shops-try-hong-kong-march-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 04:45:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press For many Thais, a meal does not feel complete without an iced coffee or tea so sugary it could pass for dessert. The government, concerned about the health consequences, wants them to dial it back. Starting on Wednesday, nine major coffee chains across the country have pledged to cut the default sugar content in some of their drinks by half in a government initiative aimed at tackling excessive sugar consumption. According to the Health Department, Thais consume an average of 21 teaspoons of... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3343216/thailand-cuts-back-sugar-coffee-and-tea-tackle-health-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3343216/thailand-cuts-back-sugar-coffee-and-tea-tackle-health-crisis?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:13:52 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian Luckin Coffee, mainland China’s largest coffee chain by store count, marked its milestone 30,000th outlet on Sunday in Shenzhen, with plans to boost global supply chain integration by sourcing premium beans from top producing regions worldwide. Headquartered in Xiamen, southeast China’s Fujian province, Luckin’s store network spans more than 300 cities nationwide, and its international footprint is expanding fast, with operations in overseas markets like Singapore, Malaysia and the US. It... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342941/luckins-30000th-store-milestone-adds-buzz-chinas-brewing-coffee-battle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3342941/luckins-30000th-store-milestone-adds-buzz-chinas-brewing-coffee-battle?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:04:28 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok The Year of the Horse 2026 is just around the corner, and for many, this means it is time to work hard before enjoying a break. Coffee shops are good for relaxing and recharging, but also make for great places to get work done. Take note of these new cafes across Hong Kong so you can drop in the next time you find yourself close by. 1. EN Coffee The original EN Coffee on Shin Hing Street in Sheung Wan enjoys a bit of a cult following, and passers-by will often see the steps outside crowded with... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3342047/6-new-hong-kong-coffee-shops-welcome-year-horse-february-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3342047/6-new-hong-kong-coffee-shops-welcome-year-horse-february-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 09:15:07 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Hong Kong’s culinary scene is a relentless parade of the new, a dizzying cycle of pop-ups and passing fads. Yet few trends have been as noticeable as the rise of the Korean-style cafe. More than just places for a caffeine fix, these establishments have become the preferred social sanctuaries for many, a phenomenon that crescendoed in 2025 with a fresh wave of openings. The last few months alone have seen the soft launch of Haus Coffee Club in October, with its minimalist, homelike interiors; the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3338993/why-korean-style-cafes-are-proving-so-popular-hong-kongs-coffee-shop-scene?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3338993/why-korean-style-cafes-are-proving-so-popular-hong-kongs-coffee-shop-scene?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 23:15:07 +0000 Zhu Wenqian Zhu Wenqian Singapore and Beijing have emerged among the world’s most liveable cities for tech workers, according to Savills’ inaugural Matcha Index, which ranks locations by buzz and by the spaces where these employees can work, connect and spark ideas over a hot – or cold – matcha drink. The index, released on Tuesday, pointed out how cafe culture has become a vital part of the social infrastructure that supports the tech ecosystem, and that matcha lattes have taken over as the “go-to” drink for young... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338901/singapore-beijing-land-top-10-savills-inaugural-matcha-index-global-tech-cities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338901/singapore-beijing-land-top-10-savills-inaugural-matcha-index-global-tech-cities?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:30:10 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok The coffee shop is the perfect space to start off 2026, whether you are in dire need of a post-party dose of caffeine or you are looking for a calm spot to write down your new year goals over a cappuccino. Here are five new coffee spots to add to your list for the month. 1. Mason Pocket Apart from coffee, this spacious new cafe on the corner of Queen Street in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island offers plenty of natural sunlight and an inviting array of pastries that are baked in-house. Queen’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3338249/5-new-hong-kong-coffee-shops-which-start-new-year-january-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3338249/5-new-hong-kong-coffee-shops-which-start-new-year-january-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 04:15:08 +0000 Susan Jung Susan Jung Coffee is consumed most often as a drink, but it also makes for a distinctive seasoning. The seeds of the coffee fruit (called “cherries”, because that is what they resemble) are picked when the fruit ripens to a deep red colour. The pulp and skin are removed to reveal the green seed, which goes through several stages – including fermenting, washing, drying, hulling and grading – before the beans are stored or shipped. The processed beans can be stored in their dried green state for several... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3335848/how-use-coffee-beans-flavour-food-and-drinks-ice-cream-and-lamb-loin-vodka?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3335848/how-use-coffee-beans-flavour-food-and-drinks-ice-cream-and-lamb-loin-vodka?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Dec 2025 07:15:08 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Jija by Vicky Lau Chef Vicky Lau of Tate Dining Room and Mora trades fine dining for the rustic, convivial spirit of southwest China at Jija. Found in the newly opened Kimpton hotel, the 50-seat bistro – named for the sound of cheerful chatter – focuses on Yunnan province’s robust flavours and famed produce, from wild mushroom salads to Puer tea-smoked chicken. The intimate space, inspired by Miao weaving, features a dedicated tea station and a striking wall of house-made pickles. 15/F, Kimpton... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3335315/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-quiet-coffee-shop-central-yunnan-cuisine-bistro?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3335315/hong-kongs-hottest-new-openings-quiet-coffee-shop-central-yunnan-cuisine-bistro?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 22:15:09 +0000 Andrew Sun Andrew Sun I am not a coffee person. Never have been. I start my day with juice or occasionally tea. However, my girlfriend is a coffee addict. Like many, she enjoys a cup in the morning. But it does not come from a Nespresso machine, nor the local cafe downstairs, and especially not from the thermal carafe of an office pantry. Instead, my partner insists on buying her own beans, grinding a scoop of them each morning, and feeding the powder to her coffee maker before even looking at her phone messages. The... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3334992/want-best-coffee-morning-improve-your-brew-grounds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3334992/want-best-coffee-morning-improve-your-brew-grounds?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:15:09 +0000 Faye Bradley Faye Bradley That big yellow building in Sai Kung’s Old Town? It’s part café, part singing studio, part art space. “We’re trying to build a community,” says co-founder Charlie Yip. She runs Neoart³ Coffee Lover with her father Ronald and family friends in what has become a multi-generational passion project. Ronald had spent more than 30 years in the textiles industry before he was made redundant during the pandemic. When the opportunity came up to rent an entire building in Sai Kung, he and the team took a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3334879/how-serene-backyard-sai-kung-hong-kong-became-fertile-ground-independent-cafes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3334879/how-serene-backyard-sai-kung-hong-kong-became-fertile-ground-independent-cafes?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:00:13 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok As 2025 winds down, it is an ideal time to settle down at a cosy coffee shop and reflect on the year gone by. Whether catching up with old friends or family members, or choosing to indulge in a form of solo self-care, these new cafes can offer solace as well as a great cup of coffee. Book & Pillow Launched by the team behind cult lifestyle goods shop Chang Chang Good Store, Book & Pillow is a soothing space offering antiques, home goods and books as well as quality coffee, tea and cake. Shop... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3334510/5-new-hong-kong-coffee-shops-snuggle-down-december-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3334510/5-new-hong-kong-coffee-shops-snuggle-down-december-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Nov 2025 23:15:15 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A museum in Beijing has launched a creepy-crawly coffee brew which has ground-down cockroaches sprinkled on the surface of the drink. Aside from the insect powders, the caffeine pick-me-up is laced with dried yellow mealworms. Drinkers say it has a “burnt and slightly sour” flavour, the news outlet The Cover reported. The roach coffee is on sale at the coffee shops of an insect museum in the capital city of China; it costs 45 yuan (US$6) a cup. The museum’s name was not given in the report. “We... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3332647/cockroach-coffee-china-museum-offers-insect-brew-us6-assures-patrons-its-safety?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3332647/cockroach-coffee-china-museum-offers-insect-brew-us6-assures-patrons-its-safety?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:00:09 +0000 Daniel Ren Daniel Ren Yum China Holdings, operator of KFC and Pizza Hut restaurant chains across mainland China and Hong Kong, plans to ramp up expansion into more lower-tier cities based on its flexible store formats, expecting this push to generate higher returns for the company over the next five years. At the company’s Investor Day conference in Shenzhen on Monday, CEO Joey Wat said Yum China’s total number of outlets would increase to 30,000 by 2030, 76 per cent more than the firm’s estimated 17,000 outlets by... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3333117/kfc-pizza-hut-operator-yum-china-pushes-rapid-expansion-lower-tier-mainland-cities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3333117/kfc-pizza-hut-operator-yum-china-pushes-rapid-expansion-lower-tier-mainland-cities?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:30:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he was scrapping US tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits and a broad swathe of other commodities – a dramatic move that comes amid mounting pressure on his administration to better combat high consumer prices. Trump has built his second term around imposing steep levies on goods imported into the US in hopes of encouraging domestic production and lifting the economy. His abrupt retreat from his signature tariff policy on so many staples key to... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332898/trump-cuts-tariffs-beef-coffee-and-other-foods-inflation-concerns-mount?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332898/trump-cuts-tariffs-beef-coffee-and-other-foods-inflation-concerns-mount?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 22:32:16 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg There is plenty to surprise first-time visitors to mainland China, from shockingly efficient mass transit to deeply integrated digital-first communication and payment ecosystems. But on a recent trip to Shanghai, I experienced an even greater surprise: a world-class coffee scene. My jet lag never stood a chance in the face of the caffeine tsunami I stepped into. As of 2024, the city had 9,115 coffee shops – including more Starbucks than any other city – as reported by Dao Insights, a publication... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3331557/shanghais-coffee-scene-brewing-storm-serving-classics-and-unhinged-creations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3331557/shanghais-coffee-scene-brewing-storm-serving-classics-and-unhinged-creations?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:15:07 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok This weekend marks the return of the city’s biggest coffee festival, Coffee Agenda, at PMQ in Central on Hong Kong Island. The event, which kicked off on October 31 and runs until November 2, brings together dozens of top cafes and coffee brands who are showcasing their roasts, award-winning baristas hosting workshops and talks, and plenty to eat, drink and buy. For your coffee fix the rest of the month, check out these fresh new coffee shops dotted around town – from The Peak to hideaway... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3330893/5-new-coffee-shops-hong-kong-give-you-boost-november?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3330893/5-new-coffee-shops-hong-kong-give-you-boost-november?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Nov 2025 08:15:08 +0000 Gavin Yeung Gavin Yeung Zozzona Chef Takayuki Kumai’s new pasta bar blends Italian classics with Japanese flavours through the tradition of itameshi, with highlights such as the Okinawa seaweed zeppole and the rigatoni alla zozzona, the dish that gave the restaurant its name. The lasagne verde, layered with Hokkaido salmon and miso cream, is ideal for sharing over a glass of vino or sake. G/F, 29-31 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui Urban Coffee Roaster This home-grown cafe brand has landed at Hong Kong International... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328895/hong-kongs-new-openings-japanese-italian-pasta-pho-inspired-cocktails?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3328895/hong-kongs-new-openings-japanese-italian-pasta-pho-inspired-cocktails?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 03:00:15 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick China’s ambassador to Brazil used a keynote speech in Sao Paulo on Monday to reaffirm Beijing’s support for investment and export certifications aimed at helping South America’s largest economy weather US President Donald Trump’s tariff offensive. Speaking at the opening of the annual Brazil-China Business Council meeting, Ambassador Zhu Qingqiao told business leaders, senior Brazilian officials and diplomats that Beijing was committed to sustainable development and building a “world-class”... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3328867/china-envoy-vows-deeper-brazil-ties-denounces-us-jungle-law-tariff-showdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3328867/china-envoy-vows-deeper-brazil-ties-denounces-us-jungle-law-tariff-showdown?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:23:28 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal A new trend has emerged in Hong Kong’s commercial property landscape as the retail sector slowly recovers: non-food and beverage (F&B) brands are turning to casual dining to entice young consumers and get more out of their premises. Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo carved up some space for a cafe in its refurbished Cityplaza outlet in Taikoo Shing last year and American luxury brand Ralph Lauren went further by opening standalone Ralph’s Coffee shops in high-end malls like Harbour City in Tsim... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3328190/new-trend-among-fashion-brands-setting-cafes-drive-store-traffic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3328190/new-trend-among-fashion-brands-setting-cafes-drive-store-traffic?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 04:03:37 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung It may be October, but the days in Hong Kong are still swelteringly hot, making them perfect for chilling with a glass of iced coffee. This month, new places to get your caffeine fix are mostly congregated in the heart of Hong Kong Island, including the opening of a famous Thai doughnut shop. Read on to find out more. 1. OneThird Coffee Following a short hiatus after closing its Yuen Long location, OneThird Coffee is back, this time in Central. The drinks menu at the cosy new shop features house... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3327715/5-new-coffee-shops-visit-hong-kong-october-2025-including-pet-friendly-cafe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3327715/5-new-coffee-shops-visit-hong-kong-october-2025-including-pet-friendly-cafe?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 23:15:08 +0000 Luna Sun Luna Sun Long known as China’s coffee capital, the southwestern province of Yunnan is moving higher up the global value chain as rising international prices and overseas demand fuel an export boom. The value of outbound shipments of coffee and derivative products from Yunnan hit 7.7 billion yuan (US$1.1 billion) in the first eight months of 2025, the highest of any region, with beans shipped to more than 30 countries including Germany and Vietnam. Overseas orders are also driving industrial reforms, with... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327639/yunnan-chinas-coffee-capital-grinds-out-exports-meet-global-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327639/yunnan-chinas-coffee-capital-grinds-out-exports-meet-global-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:08 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok Venner, a Nordic-style cafe in Sheung Wan, recently came under fire from guests angered by their “no laptops on weekends” policy, leading them to leave one-star reviews on Google. “We completely understand how important laptops can be, but our policy is to keep weekends laptop-free so that everyone can slow down, enjoy their meals and disconnect a little,” the Venner team wrote in response. “It’s part of how we try to encourage a healthy work-life balance for both our guests and our team.” To be... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3325832/hey-digital-nomads-coffee-shops-are-not-your-personal-office?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3325832/hey-digital-nomads-coffee-shops-are-not-your-personal-office?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:15:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A cafe in southwestern China’s Yunnan province has invented a unique coffee that incorporates a local speciality, penny bun mushrooms. Every year between June and September, Yunnan enters its annual wild mushroom season and becomes one of the top destinations for Chinese foodies. Of the wild mushrooms, the most tasty and expensive are termite mushrooms, penny bun mushrooms and matsutake mushrooms. In August, a cafe in Yunnan released a new product that blends Yunnan’s two specialities, coffee... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3324892/chinas-yunnan-cafe-launches-unique-latte-made-prized-mushrooms-us3-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3324892/chinas-yunnan-cafe-launches-unique-latte-made-prized-mushrooms-us3-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Sep 2025 06:00:10 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick Chinese imports supported 5.2 million jobs in Brazil, more than twice the number tied to exports to China, highlighting both the depth of the relationship and the risks of relying on a single partner, according to a comprehensive study released on Wednesday by the China-Brazil Business Council. The report, produced with the country’s Development, Industry, Trade and Services Ministry, shows how bilateral commerce has grown nearly fivefold in the past two decades and now shapes not just trade... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/money-wealth/article/3325101/imports-china-account-more-5-million-brazilian-jobs-study-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/money-wealth/article/3325101/imports-china-account-more-5-million-brazilian-jobs-study-says?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Sep 2025 19:25:28 +0000 Salomé Grouard Salomé Grouard With lattes lifted high, strangers become friends as loud music blares through the cafe-turned-dance-floor. This is the new face of nightlife in Asia – sober, social and safe, taking place in broad daylight. “I never had the chance to immerse myself in club culture until the pandemic ended,” says 21-year-old Aden Low, co-founder of Singapore’s sober event collective Beans & Beats. “By then, my idea of partying wasn’t limited to dark rooms and heavy drinking.” For many in his generation, whose... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3324345/whats-behind-asias-new-obsession-cafe-parties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3324345/whats-behind-asias-new-obsession-cafe-parties?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:15:08 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok Serious coffee drinkers are never left wanting in Hong Kong, with each month bringing a new set of cafes to try. This month, there are fresh brews to be had all over the city, from Hong Kong Island to the airport – perfect for those early morning flights. Read on to find out more. 1. Kactus Koffee Kactus Koffee, the original branch of which is in Jordan, has opened an even bigger second branch in Sheung Wan. The new two-level location offers something that few cafes in Hong Kong can: plenty of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3323882/5-new-coffee-shops-hong-kong-try-september-airport-wan-chai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3323882/5-new-coffee-shops-hong-kong-try-september-airport-wan-chai?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Sep 2025 08:18:06 +0000 Jevans Nyabiage Jevans Nyabiage China is reaching out to Africa’s top coffee-producing nations as part of a broader strategy to secure new supply chains overseas. Observers say the shift – which coincides with Brazil seeking new buyers in China because of a fresh 50 per cent US tariff on Brazilian coffee – is driven by China’s strong domestic demand. The scale of this push is clear: last week, Beijing authorised 183 new Brazilian coffee companies to export to China. This is in addition to a US$2.5 billion deal signed in... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3320908/booming-coffee-class-and-zero-tariff-policy-drive-chinas-push-african-bean-imports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3320908/booming-coffee-class-and-zero-tariff-policy-drive-chinas-push-african-bean-imports?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Aug 2025 06:00:15 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick China has authorised nearly 200 Brazilian companies to export coffee to its domestic market amid escalating trade tensions between Brazil and the United States following the imposition of a 50 per cent US tariff on Brazilian coffee. The weekend announcement, effective July 30, came just days after the United States levied the new tariff, which is set to take effect on Wednesday. The measure has sent shock waves through Brazil’s coffee industry and forced exporters to seek other markets. China’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3320739/china-opens-door-brazilian-coffee-us-slaps-new-tariff?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3320739/china-opens-door-brazilian-coffee-us-slaps-new-tariff?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:52:16 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung Slow down a little and relax with these new coffee spots scattered across Hong Kong, perfect when you just want to unwind amid the hustle and bustle. 1. Detour Known for its in-house roastery, Detour Coffee recently opened another branch in Central. Its signature coffees boast a diverse range of flavour profiles with mainly fruity blends, from candied lemon and chocolate to lychee and bourbon. Whether you’re coming for an early morning latte, a workday pick-me-up or wine nights, the new spot... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3320281/5-new-hong-kong-coffee-shops-try-august-central-yuen-long?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3320281/5-new-hong-kong-coffee-shops-try-august-central-yuen-long?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Aug 2025 09:15:08 +0000 Yuke Xie Yuke Xie Starbucks is making progress with the sale of its China business and has received “significant interest” from more than 20 potential buyers, chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said, as the world’s largest coffee chain regains momentum on the mainland. “We’ve been working to identify a strategic partner with a like-minded vision and values to help us capture further growth opportunities in China,” Niccol said during an earnings call on Tuesday. “We remain committed to our China business and want to... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3320112/starbucks-china-attracts-over-20-suitors-amid-8-quarterly-revenue-jump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3320112/starbucks-china-attracts-over-20-suitors-amid-8-quarterly-revenue-jump?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Jul 2025 07:40:08 +0000 Zhaoyin Feng Zhaoyin Feng At around 9:30 nearly every morning, 81-year-old Claudio Gatta passes the famous Accademia Bridge on the Grand Canal in Venice and steps into Bar Foscarini, ordering an espresso and a tuna sandwich for breakfast. He will have two more espressos there in the afternoon. True to his Italian roots, he has stuck to this coffee routine for as long as he can remember. Equally unmoving, Bar Foscarini has been around for more than 70 years, a quintessential Italian coffee bar, with a long, dark marble... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3318570/meet-chinese-baristas-keeping-italian-cafe-culture-alive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3318570/meet-chinese-baristas-keeping-italian-cafe-culture-alive?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Jul 2025 01:00:12 +0000 Salomé Grouard Salomé Grouard This past March, an Instagram Reel of DJ Dcr Milda tearing through a remix of Benny Benassi’s “Satisfaction” inside a packed Hong Kong cafe did something rare: it made people stop scrolling and pay attention. Not just because of the euphoric crowd throwing their hands up like they were partying at one of Lan Kwai Fong’s clubs on a Sunday afternoon, but because of its casual caption: “Just another Sunday at [a] coffee shop in Hong Kong.” The subtext is louder than the bass: Hong Kong’s cafe... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3319026/how-hong-kongs-cafes-reinvented-themselves-djs-and-running-clubs-vintage-clothes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3319026/how-hong-kongs-cafes-reinvented-themselves-djs-and-running-clubs-vintage-clothes?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:45:08 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Starbucks has received proposals from prospective investors in its China business, most of whom are eyeing a controlling stake in the operation, according to people familiar with the matter. The Seattle-based company was in the process of sifting through proposals and shortlisting a group of potential investors for a next round of bidding, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. The company could share financial and operating details with those bidders to help... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3317525/starbucks-draws-interest-controlling-stake-china-unit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3317525/starbucks-draws-interest-controlling-stake-china-unit?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:47:46 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Hongkonger Zico Hau spent years working as a stuntman, filming for productions including the 2024 drama Stuntman and the upcoming Cold War 1994, starring Daniel Wu Neh-tsu and Terrance Lau Chun-him. Then, life took a very sweet turn. In May, Hau, 39, opened Iceyaki, a Japanese dessert shop specialising in kakigori (flavoured shaved ice), on the food-filled Kam Ping Street in Hong Kong’s North Point neighbourhood. Since then, it has become one of the coolest spots on the block. On a sweltering... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3316588/what-eat-and-drink-hong-kongs-kam-ping-street-coffee-and-dessert-lovers-paradise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3316588/what-eat-and-drink-hong-kongs-kam-ping-street-coffee-and-dessert-lovers-paradise?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Jul 2025 04:15:09 +0000 Leyla Rose Leyla Rose Southeast Asia’s largest city is unlike any other, its skyscrapers competing for space with colonial Dutch buildings such as the Jakarta History Museum (formerly the Batavia City Hall), the Bank Indonesia Museum (formerly the Dutch East Indies Bank) and the Jakarta Kota Railway Station. However, many travellers dismiss Jakarta as little more than a transit hub for travel across Indonesia. Spend a little time here, though, and you’ll find cultural attractions aplenty, delicious food and drink,... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3316052/insiders-guide-jakarta-cultural-festivals-traditional-markets-and-hip-coffee-shops?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/travel/article/3316052/insiders-guide-jakarta-cultural-festivals-traditional-markets-and-hip-coffee-shops?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:12 +0000 June Xia June Xia She seldom visits the same suburban cafe twice. Asa Jin has her cuppa, takes in the view, snaps her share of pictures for social, and then considers which among the rising number of coffee shops she will visit next. “Most rural cafes are leaning into a trendy, influencer-driven vibe, but it’s not sustainable,” said the 37-year-old freelancer from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, explaining that many shops try to lure customers with “unique natural settings” – perfect for coffee-sipping social media... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3316395/chinas-coffee-lovers-skip-urban-grind-rural-buzz-cafe-craze-sustainable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3316395/chinas-coffee-lovers-skip-urban-grind-rural-buzz-cafe-craze-sustainable?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:11 +0000 Charmaine Mok Charmaine Mok As we enter the height of summer, remember to stay hydrated and out of the sun – and what better way to replenish your energy than with an iced coffee or two at one of these new cafes around town? From Hong Kong Island to the New Territories, coffee lovers have plenty of new spots to discover. Read on to find out more. 1. No Title A new independent coffee bar with a unique point of view, No Title has taken over the space that used to be Hakawa Chocolate on Gough Street in Central. One of its... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3315581/5-new-coffee-shops-hong-kong-visit-july-2025-dozy-noc-doppio?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3315581/5-new-coffee-shops-hong-kong-visit-july-2025-dozy-noc-doppio?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Jun 2025 23:15:07 +0000 Nancy Wang Nancy Wang Got plans for Hong Kong’s July 1 public holiday next week? If you’re looking for a place to go, here are five cute cafes in which to spend the afternoon, offering things like Jellycat-themed sets and DIY painted cakes. Read on to find out more. 1. Ukiyo British soft-toy brand Jellycat has become very popular in recent years and their signature plush toys, or plushies, can be seen both on social media and as keychains on the bags of every other person on the street. Some enterprising cafes have... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3315737/5-cute-cafes-hong-kong-visit-jellycat-menus-custom-latte-art-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3315737/5-cute-cafes-hong-kong-visit-jellycat-menus-custom-latte-art-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Jun 2025 04:45:57 +0000 Alice Yan Alice Yan A cafe in southwestern China has been thrust into the limelight thanks to its newly launched coffee, which is made with cooked pork intestines. The unconventional drink sold in the coffee shop in Jiangyou, a small city in Sichuan province, includes latte mixed with cooked pork intestine liquid and chitterlings, The Cover reported. It sells for 32 yuan (US$4) per cup and has three levels of taste: entrance, mid and high. The higher the level, the stronger the intestine taste. “Red-braised pork... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3315038/chinese-cafe-goes-viral-over-coffee-drink-laced-cooked-pig-intestine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3315038/chinese-cafe-goes-viral-over-coffee-drink-laced-cooked-pig-intestine?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Jun 2025 01:00:11 +0000 Yuke Xie Yuke Xie Starbucks has denied reports that it is in talks with private equity firms to sell the entirety of its China operations, as it faces slowing sales and intensifying competition from domestic rivals. “We have a world-class team in China, and a strong brand,” the Seattle-based coffee chain said in a statement on Tuesday. “We see significant long-term potential in the market and are evaluating the best ways to capture the future growth opportunities.” The statement came after local media outlet... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3315611/starbucks-denies-it-considering-full-sale-its-china-operations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3315611/starbucks-denies-it-considering-full-sale-its-china-operations?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Jun 2025 06:35:48 +0000 Josh Sims Josh Sims When Stuart Wee entered the coffee industry, he did so to fix what he saw as a fatal flaw in speciality coffee shops, mainly, that “they don’t seem very special any more”. Today, the co-founder of Singapore’s immersive Restaurant Absurdities and its minimalistic Asylum Coffeehouse has adopted a strategy of quality and innovation, going so far as to spend two years developing his own roast using a cutting-edge, low-energy digital roaster from Taiwanese company Rubasse. “Speciality coffee is... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3315490/coffee-revolution-brewing-meet-asias-growing-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3315490/coffee-revolution-brewing-meet-asias-growing-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jun 2025 22:15:08 +0000 Joshua Kwok Joshua Kwok About 80 per cent of Hongkongers are unaware of the risk of ingesting microplastics when drinking tea and coffee, according to a survey by a green group that urged the government to follow Germany’s example and include a warning about it on food labels. Steven Choi Chun-pang, chief operating officer of the Green Council, said 70 per cent of respondents did not know how to identify products containing microplastics and only 20 per cent actively looked for them. There is no legislation in Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3315512/beyond-brew-80-hongkongers-unaware-microplastics-tea-and-coffee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3315512/beyond-brew-80-hongkongers-unaware-microplastics-tea-and-coffee?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jun 2025 10:51:13 +0000