Pu’er Coffee

 Over the past decade and more of visiting cafés, I’ve accumulated quite a large mental sample size. Along the way, I’ve noticed certain recurring patterns and regional differences. One observation stands out in particular: in most European and American cafés, there is almost always a decaf espresso bean among the regular offerings behind the bar. In contrast, it’s rare to see a café in China consistently stocking a decaf option for espresso drinks. Today, I’d like to use this contrast as a starting point to explore what drives such different market demands. In reality, the types of drinks a café offers reflect the true needs of its local community. These visible differences speak to deeper distinctions in consumption habits and cultural stages between domestic and international coffee markets. At the core of it all lies a difference in consumer awareness and demand. In mature coffee markets across Europe and North America, coffee is as routine as drinking water. Many people con...

 As an offline “third space,” a café builds a kind of invisible boundary—a bubble—through visuals, sound, taste, and atmosphere. I often feel myself pulled into a specific mood the moment I lay eyes on a café. It’s a strange but intimate connection I have with these places. Today’s café is a bit special: STEAM ESPRESSO , located at No. 67 Huilong Temple Front, Chaoming Subdistrict, Gongshu District, Hangzhou. I call it special because, honestly, it doesn’t feel very Hangzhou at first glance—haha. The storefront is narrow, but the interior stretches deep inside. There’s a generous semi-outdoor seating area up front that feels relaxed and unrestrained. Step inside and you’re hit with a full-on concrete industrial aesthetic, paired with wild, untamed music. The whole thing leans heavily into a steampunk vibe—well, the name is “Steam,” after all… so that tracks. Orders are placed by scanning a QR code at the bar. Besides the house “Steam Blend,” the menu offers six different SOE (S...