Sunday, November 1 2026

Hong Kong's ICAC跨界开咖啡厅, "一九七四" at North Point headquarters is about to welcome guests

The ICAC, which frequently appears in Hong Kong film and television works, has left a deep impression on countless people with the line "ICAC invites you for coffee." Now, this mysterious agency is really going to open a coffee shop. The ICAC has announced that it will open a coffee shop called "1974" on the ground floor of its North Point headquarters, named after the year of its establishment, with official service beginning on November 15. Previously, the agency joined Xiaohongshu and released a short film titled "Coffee Years" starring Cally Kwong, drawing on the retro filming style of "In the Mood for Love," which sparked widespread discussion among film fans nationwide. On the coffee shop's menu, there are no common lattes or Americanos. Instead, the drinks are named "Transparency," "Sense of Mission," "Courage," "Fairness," "Integrity," and so on, full of ICAC characteristics. At that time, citizens will not only be able to taste ICAC coffee but also learn about the ICAC's work up close. [more…]

Starbucks Teams Up with Pepsi to Launch BAYA Energy Drink: Can This Cross-Industry Move Break Through Market Barriers?

星巴克近日宣布与百事可乐合作,将于3月1日在美洲地区推出三款水果口味能量饮品BAYA Energy。这款每12oz含160毫克咖啡因、90卡路里和90毫克维生素C的低卡高因饮品,标志着星巴克正式跨界能量饮料市场。面对疫情后美国能量饮品年销量从150亿增长至180亿美元的诱人蛋糕,星巴克能否凭借低卡高维素的差异化策略,打破消费者对传统能量饮料品牌的忠诚度?与此同时,星巴克在即饮咖啡领域早已布局多年,从罐装黑咖啡到燕麦奶咖啡不断推新。本文将深入分析星巴克此次跨界背后的市场逻辑与潜在挑战。 [more…]

China Post's Coffee Trademark Application Rejected: An Analysis of China Post's Cross-Industry Layout and the Industry Boom

China Post's application for the "邮局咖啡 POST COFFEE" trademark was recently rejected, sparking widespread attention. Since the first store opened in Xiamen in February 2022, Post Coffee has expanded to four cities—Xiamen, Nanjing, Quanzhou, and Beijing—with six stores, focusing on a blend of postal nostalgia and cultural creativity. The co-founder had planned to open a hundred stores by the end of the year, but the trademark registration setback has led to widespread discussion online. Meanwhile, giants from various industries such as Li-Ning, Xtep, Tongrentang, and East Buy have entered the coffee sector. What are the prospects for cross-industry coffee ventures? This article reviews Post Coffee's expansion journey, product features, and trademark controversy, and takes stock of cross-industry dynamics in the industry. [more…]

Xtep Applies to Register "Te Coffee" Trademark, Adding a New Player to the Sports Brand Cross-Over Coffee Track

Following Li-Ning's launch of Ning Coffee, another sporting goods company has begun to stake out the coffee market. According to Qichacha, Xtep (China) Co., Ltd. has applied to register multiple coffee-related trademarks, covering categories such as food and beverage services and accommodations, convenience foods, and advertising and sales. In recent years, from tea beverage brands to time-honored traditional Chinese medicine brands, and from education companies to tech giants, cross-industry forays into coffee have emerged one after another. Is Xtep's move this time a continuation of its approach of innovating the in-store experience, or is it intended to open up an entirely new business territory? This article will review Xtep's coffee layout moves and look back at typical cases in recent years of brands from various industries crossing into coffee. [more…]

Shanghai's Longhua Ancient Temple launches oat milk vegan coffee, a 1,700-year-old temple also ventures into跨界

As the coffee wave sweeps across every industry, even ancient temples spanning a millennium can no longer resist the urge to cross over. Longhua Temple, the oldest in Shanghai, has recently opened a beverage window next to its vegetarian restaurant, launching "vegetarian coffee" that uses oat milk instead of dairy milk — catering to vegetarians and those who are lactose intolerant. This is not the first time a temple has ventured into coffee; from Dafo Temple in Guangzhou to Yongfu Temple in Hangzhou, the collision between Buddhist monasteries and coffee has long existed. Longhua Temple's move, with its affordable prices, has sparked heated discussion online: can coffee be classified as vegetarian or non-vegetarian? Is temples selling coffee a new path for cultural dissemination, or just a gimmick? This article takes you behind the scenes. [more…]

India's Kolkata General Post Office跨界 opens a coffee shop, selling coffee as well as Ganges water and century-old furniture.

Following China Post's opening of offline cafes, India Post has also taken a cross-industry step. According to The Indian Express, India's first post office cafe is located in the General Post Office in Kolkata, the third-largest city, and is named Siuli, meaning "a flower." This "parcel cafe" not only serves regular coffee but also sells gifts, antiques, and even Ganges water packaged in Gangotri. The interior furnishings are mostly old furniture nearly two hundred years old, including parcel sorting tables from the 1850s and spears used by postal workers during British India. The Postmaster General said the move is intended to attract young people into post offices and boost parcel business. Behind this crossover is the postal industry's effort to adapt in the face of express delivery competition and a narrowing market. [more…]

Suzhou police跨界 opening a milk tea shop called "Police Tea" sparks heated discussion; public offices innovating outreach to bring police and public closer

Recently, a milk tea shop called "Police Tea" has drawn attention on social media, not because its products are particularly special, but because it is located inside the Suzhou Public Security Bureau and was launched by the police themselves. As soon as the news broke, netizens joked about wanting to "go to the station for tea," and some even jokingly asked whether starting a fight at the police station entrance would get them inside. The shop not only serves milk tea and coffee, but also cookies, desserts, and cultural merchandise, though it is not yet open to the public. Some people are curious about how to buy from it, while others question whether it is compliant for a government agency to run a business. In fact, this shop is essentially an internal canteen, and ordinary citizens can receive items for free on police open days by taking part in anti-fraud, anti-drug, and other activities. A similar approach by Hangzhou police, who partnered with Chagee to give out "police tea" on Police Day, also received considerable praise. This kind of publicity method that keeps pace with the times not only builds a friendly public image, but also makes the spread of legal knowledge more down-to-earth. [more…]

Nitro Cold Brew Explained: How It's Made, How It Tastes, and the Truth About Calories—Is the Canned Version Worth Trying?

The ways of enjoying coffee have always been evolving, and in recent years a cross-over beverage has quietly become popular—infusing coffee with nitrogen. This practice first appeared in the American specialty coffee scene, and soon even large chain brands followed suit. How exactly is nitro coffee made? Why can it mimic the creamy mouthfeel of stout beer? Is it high in calories? How is it different from regular cold brew? This article will provide a comprehensive interpretation of every aspect of nitro coffee, from its origins, brewing principles, and mouthfeel to calorie analysis, and recommend lazy-friendly canned options. [more…]

Colombian Huila Region Flor de Luna Coffee: A Complete Guide to Anaerobic Natural Processing and Pour-Over Flavor Profile

Front Street Coffee introduces the Colombia Huila region La Noche Buena coffee beans, produced using the anaerobic natural process, from the El Diviso estate, Caturra variety, at an altitude of 1,800 meters. This coffee is known for its flavors of strawberry jam, liqueur-filled chocolate, and fermented wine aroma. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of La Noche Buena's unique charm, from the terroir of the producing region, the estate's background, processing techniques, to the roasting curve and brewing parameters. Front Street Coffee has always been committed to sourcing coffee beans from different producing regions around the world, so that every enthusiast can find their desired flavor. If you favor rose floral notes, strawberry sweetness, and a cocoa finish, you might want to try this experimental La Noche Buena. [more…]