Pu’er Coffee

 During my recent café-hopping trip to Australia, one of my stops was One in a Million in Brisbane. The beans they use come from their own independent roasting brand, Blue Sky Coffee Roasters . Before I even left for Australia, I was browsing their website and instantly fell in love with the illustration on the bag of this Treehouse Blend. As many of you know, I have an entire wall at home covered with coffee bean bags. In that moment, I had only one thought: I have to hang this one on my wall. (Proof that packaging really matters, right? 😂) When I visited the café, I ordered an espresso made with the Treehouse Blend and was immediately drawn in by its flavor performance. I didn’t hesitate—I bought a bag on the spot. And that’s how today’s review came to life. Although Blue Sky operates independently from the café brand itself, in many ways it’s the “behind-the-scenes hero.” Beyond committing to direct trade at origin, they place strong emphasis on whether their roast profiles...

 Living in Cangqian, Yuhang, I’d somehow never really explored the cafés around my neighborhood. I always assumed this area was a bit of a “coffee desert.” That belief was completely overturned recently when a close friend invited me to check out a café in Old Yuhang. One visit in, and—boom—I unlocked a hidden gem that I couldn’t wait to tell people about. Friends in Old Yuhang, you’re in luck. The place is Lanini Café , located at No. 200-21 Fenghuangshan Road, Yuhang District . The reason I say you can get authentic Australian coffee here is simple: Lanini is a small, community-style café run by a husband-and-wife team, with the owner being Australian. They have three adorable daughters, and the café’s name comes from the girls’ names. Even the logo—three little girls with pigtails—was drawn by their daughters themselves. It’s incredibly heartwarming. There’s also a sweet dog at the entrance—the café mascot—who’s already 10 years old. He was taken in by the owner, and you’ll e...

 When you’re out visiting cafés, have you noticed that many of them now prefer using zhukou cups for milk-based drinks? They’re especially popular for flat whites. Whether in terms of volume or latte art control, zhukou cups just seem to work beautifully. As a result, the term “zhukou cup” has quickly become a hot search keyword in online shopping. Simply put, the defining characteristics of a zhukou cup are that it’s short, sturdy, and compact. The walls usually go straight up or taper slightly inward at the rim. Most are made of ceramic with relatively thick walls. Visually, they look squat and charming—almost like a small barrel. The walls are nearly vertical, the base is wide, and the opening is generous. These are cups you naturally cradle in your hands, and they’re essentially designed as professional vessels for showcasing milk drinks with latte art. So why is this shape such a perfect match for milk coffee? Let’s break it down. If you’re currently debating which cup to u...

 “ The flicker of the traffic lights at the crossroads feels like a message never delivered. Watching neon, watching the crowd— at this moment, every brake light becomes a slow heartbeat. And those who wait tap lightly with their toes, guarding a small flame inside them that never goes out… ” It’s been a long time since I last explored a café in the city. Thanks to a friend, the main purpose today was simply to catch up after not seeing each other for ages. So we headed to Dengdeng , located at 132 Zhongshan Middle Road, Hangzhou , to drink the coffee he made for me—a different kind of experience altogether. In recent years, café-hopping has changed me the most. It feels as though my life has gradually woven itself together with these visits. The emotional projection isn’t just about caring more about the stories behind the owners—their struggles, joys, setbacks, and perseverance. It’s also because, as my life moves toward a slower pace, my state of mind pays more attention...