Tim Hortons' arrival highlights Malaysia's coffee boom

KUALA LUMPUR -- The arrival of Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons in Malaysia this month with the opening of its first two outlets has reinforced how a nation of tea drinkers is changing its tastes and social habits.

Foreign chains entered Malaysia over 25 years ago, with Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts leading the charge. But it is only in the last few years that a population brought up to drink tea under its former British rulers has turned from leaves to beans.