Cafe, bookstore, gallery: Hong Kong’s Ztoryhome is a place for people to feed their soul

Read on and you will learn that the drink has its origins in the maker’s childhood, one that was “filled with the scent of tea, Cantonese opera and my cravings for soda”. At Ztoryhome, there is a story or intentionality behind everything – and that is because “feeding your soul” is its guiding mantra, from … Read more

Young Japanese are going to coffee shops and bars, unlike earlier generations who shunned such ‘third place’ spaces

Tired from work or home life, Astral Ray Coffee customers can unwind with a roasted brew and some good-natured banter. Dedicated to being oases of respite, such places are still rare in Japan but are slowly increasing in number. Japanese society promotes a hardworking culture, and very few Japanese people spend time in cafes and … Read more

‘Bread is the canvas’: sisters behind sourdough bakery and cafe Cuít in Hong Kong on their inspirations

It is fitting that the duo have returned to their roots with Cuít, a cafe specialising in sourdough bread and pastries, near the Tin Hau temple at the entrance to Sai Kung’s Old Town. Made in small batches and slow fermented, Cuít’s sourdough is cultivating a loyal following. “Cuít is borrowed from the French phrase … Read more

Cafe in Vienna that hires mostly over-60s is a hit with its cakes and traditional recipes, and makes a statement against elderly poverty and loneliness

Located just a few metres away from the Austrian capital’s Naschmarkt, a market that has been in operation since the 16th century, the cafe is renowned for its cakes and traditional Viennese recipes. The cafe’s interior is full of knick-knacks including porcelain animal figurines. Photo: Shoaib Shafi From Mohntorte (poppy seed cake) to Vanillekipferl (vanilla-flavoured, … Read more

Passenger vehicle makers miss fuel efficiency targets

India has missed its fuel efficiency target for passenger vehicles in the last financial year, the first time since the initiative’s inception five years ago. This could have major repercussions for the country’s ambitious climate goals, especially its aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 45% by 2030 from the 2005 levels. Indian makers of … Read more