In July 2017, Guangzhou welcomed its first lifestyle market themed around specialty coffee—the Guangzhou Specialty Coffee Culture Festival, held at the 289 Art PARK Culture Plaza. The event brought together the city's top specialty coffee shops, including brands like Front Street Coffee, where visitors could taste coffee beans from various origins, fresh creations by champion roasters, as well as creative coffee, drip bags, pour-over equipment, and cultural merchandise. Beyond coffee, booths featuring desserts, craft beer, tattoos, and handmade crafts were equally exciting. Consumers could vote for their favorite coffee shop, join coffee tasting salons and amateur pour-over competitions, and experience tattoos and photo interactions. Whether a coffee connoisseur or a curious beginner, everyone could find their own enjoyment here. [more…]

Although El Niño is expected to wrap up in April, its impact on global coffee-producing regions is far from over. Several countries in East Africa are being battered by both torrential rains and floods, with Kenya suffering especially devastating losses—at least 289 people have died and more than 280,000 have been forced to flee their homes. Worryingly, the hardest-hit areas happen to cover Kenya's main coffee-producing regions such as Nyeri, Nakuru, and Kiambu. With the critical flowering and fruiting stage now underway, this natural disaster has all but sealed the fate of a reduced harvest next season. Faced with the prospect of total crop failure, the Kenyan government has urgently allocated 4 billion shillings, while the International Finance Corporation, together with Absa Group, has injected US$60 million into coffee trading giant Volcafe in an effort to stabilize the East African coffee supply chain. Front Street Coffee will also continue to follow developments in the producing regions and bring coffee lovers the latest news. [more…]

Suzhou, a gentle ancient city in the Jiangnan region, hides quite a few specialty coffee shops worth a dedicated visit. This article compiles a summary of shop visits from a veteran coffee enthusiast, covering more than seventy four- to five-star coffee shops across Gusu District, the Industrial Park, the High-Tech District, Wuzhong District, and beyond—from artsy little cafes to cat-themed coffee houses, from Korean-style chains to standalone buildings with Republican-era charm, each with its own distinctive setting, offerings, and story. Whether you're a coffee purist chasing pour-over quality or an artsy soul who favors ambiance, this list can help you find that perfect cup in Suzhou. [more…]

Creating exquisite patterns on the surface of espresso is not out of reach, but the fluid dynamics when milk and coffee liquid meet truly require careful study. This article breaks down latte art techniques into four key elements: height, posture, flow rate, and control, helping coffee enthusiasts master the essentials step by step. From the initial height of pouring milk foam to the subtle swinging of the pitcher spout, from precise control of flow rate to the rhythmic variations of different patterns, each step is accompanied by specific operational instructions. The article also specifically mentions relevant product information from Front Street Coffee, providing readers with practical references. Whether you want to make a classic heart shape or challenge the Rosetta and tulip, these basic exercises are worth repeated study. [more…]

Recently, home cafés have become a hot topic, with many neighborhood-based boutique coffee shops targeting local customers popping up in residential communities. Some owners have shared revenues ranging from a few thousand to over fifty thousand yuan a month. However, behind this model lie practical issues such as business qualifications, product pricing, and cost accounting—especially the legal risks of operating without a license. Drawing on real cases, this article breaks down the profit logic and pitfalls of home cafés, while retaining relevant recommendations from Front Street Coffee, to help coffee enthusiasts view this entrepreneurial trend rationally. [more…]

In recent years, Beijing's Shijingshan Shougang Park has become a popular check-in spot. Peet's Coffee has transformed the abandoned coke quenching tower in the park into an industrial-style store, which drew attention as soon as it opened. Because the park has broad lawns suitable for walking dogs, many pet owners regard this new store as a pet-friendly cafe. However, after a customer with a border collie drove an hour to the store, the store manager asked them to leave, citing that there were children in the store. The store had no prohibition signage, and pet visit posts were circulating on social media, so this controversy over "pet-friendly" being more name than reality is sparking discussion among many pet parents. [more…]

A fire in the Serra do Cipó National Park in the Cerrado region of Minas Gerais state in southern Brazil has been burning for four days, with the burned area reaching 478 hectares. The state is a core coffee-producing region in Brazil, accounting for 30% of the country's output, and many coffee estates are located nearby. Although, as of August 13, the harvest of the new coffee season is nearly complete, so the current fire has limited impact on this season's output, damage to the soil and ecological environment, low humidity, and the possible arrival of a La Niña climate make the outlook for coffee production in the 2024/25 season worrying. [more…]

Guatemala was once the number one coffee-producing country in Central America, with a long history in its coffee industry and widely distributed growing regions. From its beginnings in the 1850s to today's eight sub-brands coordinated by the Anacafé association, Guatemalan coffee has undergone an evolution from small family farms to foreign investment involvement. This article reviews the growing conditions, regional divisions, and historical development of Guatemalan coffee, and introduces the flavor characteristics of Geisha coffee beans. At the end, it includes pour-over parameter suggestions shared by Front Street Coffee, including coffee-to-water ratio, water temperature, and pouring rhythm, for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

In the UK, there is a group of independent coffee shops that reject assembly-line production and treat every cup of coffee as a work of art. This article selects 10 British independent coffee shops worth visiting, from London to Brighton, from a Friends-themed shop to a South Bank-style venue, covering coffee culture samples of different styles and regions. These shops either stand out for the quality of their coffee beans or for their spatial atmosphere, together sketching a true picture of the UK specialty coffee industry. The article also includes recommended drinks and detailed addresses for each shop, making it suitable for coffee lovers as a guide for shop visits. Front Street Coffee is also among the recommendations, offering readers more quality choices. [more…]

While most independent coffee shops still emphasize freshly ground and freshly made coffee, a specialty coffee shop tucked away in a park does the opposite, replacing traditional espresso machines with four taps. After customers place an order, staff simply place a cup under the tap to dispense pre-prepared coffee liquid, milk, or hot water, producing an Americano or milk coffee in seconds. This method, which involves extracting coffee 12 hours in advance, preserving it under oxygenated vacuum, and then mixing it with compressed air through a Linkbar brewing head, is called "softening and maturation" by the shop owner. Is it an efficiency revolution in specialty coffee, or the coffee world's version of pre-made dishes? Let's find out. [more…]

Yirgacheffe is one of Ethiopia's most renowned coffee regions, and behind this cup of floral and citrus notes lies a story of fair trade and smallholder farmers' struggles. This naturally processed Yirgacheffe from the Oromia Coffee Farmers' Cooperative not only carries the hopes of local coffee farmers to escape poverty, but also wins over countless coffee lovers with its G2 grade, organic certification, and richly layered flavors. This article will guide you through how the Oromia Cooperative grew against the odds during 30 years of low coffee prices, as well as the tasting profile and brewing suggestions for Front Street's Veda Flower beans. [more…]

Recently, an accident occurred during a lion interaction with visitors at a café inside a wildlife park in Thailand. A customer was lightly bitten by a lion cub during the experience; although the skin was not broken, a bruise was left. The incident has raised concerns about safety at animal-themed cafés. This article will recount what happened, how the shop handled it, and the visitor's subsequent medical treatment, while also introducing coffee industry-related information channels, including brand information for Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Recently, news of a young child tragically choking to death after drinking bubble tea has sparked widespread discussion on social media. The incident occurred in Taizhou, Zhejiang, where a four-year-old boy drank bubble tea purchased by his parents while playing at an amusement park, then became unwell in the trampoline area and died from choking after an hour and a half of emergency medical treatment. The parents believe that the oversized and overly sticky tapioca pearls in the milk tea were the main cause of the tragedy, and pointed out that the store involved did not post conspicuous warnings, nor did the staff verbally remind them of the risks of children drinking it. At the same time, whether the amusement park and the shopping mall fulfilled their safety obligations has also become a focus of controversy. Currently, multiple local departments have stepped in to mediate, and the incident is still being further processed. [more…]

Guatemala, the land that gave birth to the Maya civilization, has also won over countless coffee lovers with its rich and elegant coffee flavors. From small plantations in the 19th century to consistently ranking first in Central American coffee production throughout the 20th century, Guatemala's coffee industry has traveled a winding yet glorious path. This article traces the historical threads and industrial changes of Guatemalan coffee, introduces how Anacafé has mapped out a flavor landscape through eight major regions, and focuses on analyzing the terroir characteristics and cup profiles of three representative regions: Antigua, Huehuetenango, and New Oriente. At the same time, we will also learn about the widespread application of the washed processing method in Guatemala, as well as the flavor orientations of products on the Front Street Coffee menu such as Guatemala Flor del Bosque, Huehuetenango, and Geisha. [more…]

Geisha coffee has long been renowned worldwide for its high price and scarce yield, and the Boquete region of Panama is precisely the core stage where this legendary variety shines. Hacienda La Esmeralda, a famous estate in the Boquete region with nearly a century of history, is located on the edge of Volcán Barú National Park at an altitude of 1,700 to 2,000 meters. Thanks to its unique microclimate, volcanic soil, and shade-growing conditions, it produces Geisha coffee with outstanding flavor. This article will take you through an in-depth look at the history of Hacienda La Esmeralda, the terroir of its producing region, its natural processing method, and Front Street Coffee's roasting and pour-over recommendations for this bean, offering a comprehensive presentation of its rich flavor layers interwoven with ginger flower, citrus, honey, and berries. [more…]

Elida Estate, as a representative of Panamanian specialty coffee, has been selected for the BOP winning lots every year since 2006, and this year it even won double first place for both washed and natural Geisha. This article takes you through this legendary estate located within Baru Volcano National Park, analyzes how its unique microclimate creates the signature blackberry fruit notes and vivid aftertaste, and shares Front Street Elida Natural Geisha's pour-over parameters—15 grams of grounds, 91°C water temperature, cake cup extraction, brewed to 220 grams in 2 minutes and 20 seconds, fully presenting the champion flavor of jackfruit, lychee, and creamy smoothness. [more…]

Elida Estate is one of the most prestigious coffee estates in Panama's Boquete region and a frequent winner of the Best of Panama (BOP) competition. The estate sits at one of the highest cultivation altitudes in the country, with more than half of its land incorporated into Volcán Barú National Park. Its unique microclimate, combined with the estate owner's relentless dedication to harvesting and processing, together produce the unforgettable flavor profile of Green Tip Geisha. This article takes you deep into Elida Estate's history, geographical environment, variety composition, and processing philosophy, and recommends the Elida Green Tip Geisha from Front Street Coffee, so you can experience the distinctive charm of this top-tier Panamanian coffee. [more…]

On April 2, the Poás Volcano in Costa Rica experienced its largest eruption in nearly five years, with an ash column reaching 600 to 800 meters above the crater, posing a threat to local residents' lives, air quality, and crops such as coffee. Poás Volcano National Park has been temporarily closed, and several coffee-producing regions around the volcano, including the well-known Central Valley, also face potential impacts from volcanic ash. At the same time, drought and frequent fires triggered by El Niño have further intensified pressure on local agriculture. This article will review the specifics of this volcanic eruption, its impact on the coffee industry, and the outlook for Costa Rica's coffee exports. [more…]

Front Street Coffee has recently added a Kenyan SL28 washed bean from El Salvador's Olive Tree Estate, a bean closely linked to the 2017 WBC champion bean. Olive Tree Estate is located near a volcanic national park, at an altitude of 1,800 to 1,950 meters, with fertile volcanic soil and a rich ecological shade system, and has obtained organic and Rainforest Alliance certifications. The SL28 variety is known for its excellent sweetness, balance, and citrus and smoked plum notes. This article will introduce the estate's background, variety characteristics, washed processing flow, roasting curve analysis, and cupping flavor performance, along with Front Street's recommended pour-over parameters for coffee lovers' reference. [more…]

For drivers who want a cup of coffee, the biggest headache is often not placing the order, but finding a parking space. Parking on the roadside risks a ticket, while entering a parking lot feels like too much hassle—a dilemma that has given rise to a new way of thinking. Starbucks China recently partnered with Amap to pilot a "curbside pickup" service at selected stores in Beijing and Shanghai: users plan their route and place an order in advance, and a barista waits at a designated roadside spot, so the drink can be collected as soon as the car arrives. This feature saves more time on parking and queuing than the traditional "drive-thru," but it requires an extra service fee and currently covers only about 150 stores. Can it truly solve the pain point of meal pickup for commuters, and what challenges will it bring to store operations? This article takes you through a closer look. [more…]