Pu’er Coffee

 When it comes to coffee extraction—whether it's espresso or pour-over—there’s one thing you simply can’t avoid: the filter paper . This small sheet of paper has quietly evolved over the past few years alongside the technological development of specialty coffee. In fact, its evolution has been so dramatic that the word “crazy” might not be an exaggeration. This “craziness” includes innovations in materials, upgrades in functionality, and of course, some pretty crazy price tags as well—haha. Today, I’d like to talk about why filter papers in coffee extraction keep evolving. What exactly are people pursuing when they aim for the ultimate cup of coffee? And what role can filter paper play in shaping the final result? Let’s dive into the “crazy evolution” of coffee filter papers. Different filter papers vary in density, thickness, structure, and permeability , and these factors directly determine the flow rate . Flow rate, in turn, affects coffee extraction, flavor, and mouthfeel. ...

 Not long ago, I came across a video online showing someone roasting coffee beans using a traditional hand-cranked popcorn machine—the kind we used to see on the street when we were kids, the one that would suddenly go BOOM behind you without warning. Honestly, that thing alone was childhood trauma for many of us. Of course, when used for coffee beans, there wouldn’t be that final explosive step. From a purely theoretical standpoint, this method does seem somewhat feasible. Still, I find it extremely unreliable in practice. So today, I want to take a closer, more serious look at this idea. Traditional hand-cranked popcorn machines are actually somewhat similar to hand-mesh coffee roasting. Both rely on an external heat source—usually an open flame—to heat a sealed metal drum, allowing the contents inside to undergo physical and chemical changes. By manually cranking the handle, the beans can be agitated so they heat more evenly, reducing the risk of localized scorching. In princi...

 When we order coffee in cafés, it’s common to see certain drinks on the menu offered in “large” and “small” sizes (and let’s not bring up that brand that contradicts itself). But in reality, most espresso-based drinks already come with a naturally fixed serving size by design. Those so-called size options are often nothing more than a blunt, convenience-driven modification for consumption scenarios. I’ve long felt that cafés perhaps shouldn’t think in terms of “large” or “small” at all, but rather in terms of purpose-specific coffee cups . Today, I want to talk about where this idea comes from. This isn’t the first time I’ve thought seriously about this topic. Early last year, when a certain brand launched an 8-ounce cortado, it sparked plenty of discussion within the industry. In the world of specialty coffee, the idea of using a purpose-designed cup for each drink reflects a deep respect for coffee culture and the consumer experience. It shifts thinking away from the purely pr...

 Mahlkönig has now officially expanded into both the commercial and home-use espresso equipment markets. With their new auxiliary tools joining the lineup, the brand’s ecosystem is becoming more complete than ever. Personally, I think this entire product strategy is an excellent business decision. With years of deeply rooted technical credibility and the highly trusted “Made in Germany” reputation, Mahlkönig’s espresso expertise—originally built for cafés—can now be applied directly to a home “coffee corner.” For any household coffee lover, that’s a hard temptation to resist. Previously, I mentioned that when Mahlkönig launched their home espresso machines and grinders, their core mission was to build an intelligent and stable “technical platform.” Their devices connect to each other through the Sync system, which you can think of as a built-in Wi-Fi style IoT network. The newly released Sync Scale is designed to work with this system, allowing the scale to communicate with both es...