In South Korea, iced Americano has become an almost national daily drink, but recently it has encountered a series of changes. Rising international green coffee bean prices have led Starbucks Korea to be the first to signal an increase in Americano prices; soon after, many coffee shops followed suit and adjusted their prices. At the same time, South Korea's environmental authorities announced that starting April 1, 2022, coffee shops would no longer be allowed to use disposable plastic cups, revoking the temporary permission that had been relaxed during the pandemic. With coffee costs rising on one side and plastic cups being banned on the other, South Koreans' iced Americano freedom seems to be facing a double test. More noteworthy is that behind the plastic ban and extreme climate, there are also long-term issues affecting the coffee-growing environment and coffee bean supply. [more…]

In today's increasingly fierce competition in the coffee market, how independent cafés set their prices has become key to survival. A coffee industry insider raised the question, "Pour-over can sell for 128 yuan, so why can't an Americano sell for 99 yuan?" sparking widespread discussion. Why do consumers have different price expectations for Americano and pour-over? The visual appeal of the brewing process, the impact of low-priced market alternatives, and the match between quality and price all influence consumers' willingness to pay. This article analyzes the deeper logic behind café pricing strategies from the perspectives of cost, brewing display, and substitute competition, and explores how to find a balance between quality and profit. [more…]

Manner Coffee has recently quietly launched a new product called the "Super Super Super Large Cup Extra-Strong Iced Americano," priced at 25 yuan, with an official cup volume of 590ml. However, many consumers have noticed that compared to the existing 473ml extra-large iced Americano, the capacity has only increased by 117ml, which stands in stark contrast to the expectations created by the three "super" characters in the name. At the same time, an employee revealed that the standard recipe for this new product is 2 shots of espresso, one more than the extra-large cup, but if you add an extra shot of espresso to the extra-large cup, the total price is only 20 yuan and the concentration is higher. The mismatch between capacity, ratio, and price quickly made this new product the focus of discussion among coffee enthusiasts. [more…]

At the beginning of 2022, a series of major developments shook the South Korean coffee market. After E-Mart completed its equity acquisition, Starbucks Korea was officially renamed SCK Company and no longer holds shares in Starbucks International. Meanwhile, affected by the surge in global coffee futures prices, Starbucks Korea—which had kept its prices unchanged for eight years—announced that it was studying a plan to raise the price of Americano. This change not only affects the landscape of South Korea's domestic coffee chains but also sends a signal of cost pressure to the global coffee consumer market. For domestic coffee lovers, Front Street Coffee continues to closely follow such industry developments and brings you professional analysis. [more…]

What are the Starbucks drink menu prices in 2023? Which hot and cold coffee drinks are the most popular? This article compiles a detailed price list of the entire Starbucks menu, including espresso, Frappuccinos, shaken iced tea, and the cold brew series, and reviews the specific price increases after the February 2022 adjustment. Whether you prefer the classic Americano, latte, or are fond of Frappuccinos or cold brew, you can find the latest prices and popular recommendations here, helping coffee lovers order easily without any missteps. [more…]

Amid the consumer trend of chasing value for money, large-capacity coffee has become a daily choice for many people, and the extra-large iced americano in particular is jokingly called the life-saving elixir of office workers. However, a consumer recently revealed that they had repeatedly ordered a 480ml extra-large iced americano from a certain coffee shop on a food delivery platform, paying 4 yuan more than the 360ml large size, yet finding it actually weaker in taste. Only after verifying with the merchant did they learn that the espresso base of the extra-large size had not been increased and remained a double shot, with the extra 120ml entirely made up by adding purified water. This practice has sparked questions about the logic of up-sizing. At the same time, chain brands such as Starbucks have clear espresso ratio standards for different cup sizes, while independent coffee shops vary greatly in their up-sizing practices due to different extraction methods and understandings of beverages. Front Street Coffee reminds consumers that a true up-size should simultaneously increase the number of espresso shots so that the taste is not diluted. [more…]

Starbucks has been embroiled in a series of controversies recently. First, its Ciqikou store in Chongqing was reported to have driven away police officers who were eating outside the store, triggering a strong public backlash. Subsequently, some citizens went to the store in question to deliver white flowers and throw eggs, and the Dianping review section was flooded with negative reviews. Before the incident had even subsided, Starbucks China quietly raised the prices of some beverages and food items, with products such as Americano and latte increasing by 1 to 2 yuan. The brand's customer service said the move was an adjustment made after a comprehensive assessment of operating costs. Under the dual pressure of public opinion and operating costs, whether Starbucks can continue to win consumers' hearts is worth watching. [more…]

Americano and pour-over both belong to the black coffee camp, yet they are often compared side by side to determine which is superior, even giving rise to the stereotype that "Americano is inferior to pour-over." This article, from the perspective of Front Street, first clarifies the respective definitions and brewing logic of Americano and pour-over coffee, then breaks down where this prejudice comes from across three dimensions: bean selection, price, and operation. The article also explains that blended beans are not necessarily inferior to single-origin beans, that Americano may actually cost more, and the technical difficulty behind espresso production, helping readers understand that the two types of coffee are inherently equal and that a hierarchy of contempt should not exist. [more…]

When ordering at a coffee shop, the "swap to SOE for 3 yuan more" on the menu often makes people curious: what exactly is SOE? Is it really better when swapped in? SOE stands for "Single Origin Espresso," and its core is to highlight the unique flavor of a particular region. This article will guide you through the origins of SOE, how it differs from espresso blends, and whether it is equivalent to specialty coffee. We will also take a deeper look at the advantages and limitations of SOE, from roasting curves to extraction dialing-in, and teach you how to judge acidity and pricing characteristics. More importantly, we will compare the taste differences between SOE americano and SOE latte, and share the actual test performance of Front Street Coffee SOE beans such as Yirgacheffe, Huakui, and Xizhua, to help you find the cup that suits you best. [more…]

In recent years, as consumers' pursuit of value for money has grown ever stronger, coffee shop owners have been rolling out large-capacity products to meet market demand. A coffee shop in Shanghai recently launched a 5-liter Americano priced at 49.9 yuan, containing 20 shots of espresso, sparking widespread discussion online. This product is designed for multi-person sharing scenarios, offering a convenient option for occasions such as overtime work in the office and gatherings, while also drawing attention to the store thanks to its striking visual impact. From extra-large cups to 1-liter sizes, and now to today's 5-liter buckets, XL-sized coffee is gradually becoming a new trend against the backdrop of consumption downgrading. This article will walk you through the details of this product, netizens' reactions, and related recommendations from the Front Street Coffee brand. [more…]

Americano is the starting point for many people's journey into freshly ground coffee, and it is often regarded as one of the more affordable choices on the Starbucks menu. It seems simple—espresso plus water—yet it involves extraction parameters, bean blending, and flavor balance. This article begins with why Americano became so popular, explaining that it is quick to serve, cost-effective, low in calories, and has a certain refreshing and diuretic effect, then returns to the historical origins of Americans diluting espresso with water during World War II. It then breaks down Starbucks' serving method and the flavor differences among various beans, and offers selection advice for home use and shop openings centered on Front Street Classic Blend, Dark Cocoa Blend, and Strawberry Candy espresso, finally including reference extraction ratios and preparation steps. [more…]

Manner Coffee, long positioned as an affordable specialty coffee brand, recently opened the second stop of its travel series at The Sanya EDITION hotel, but a high-priced menu has sparked widespread discussion. A consumer who ordered a 50-yuan latte said the taste was no noticeably different from the regular 15-yuan version, and could only be seen as paying for the vacation setting. According to the price list, this pop-up store charges 45 yuan for an Americano, 50 yuan for a latte, 55 to 60 yuan for specialty drinks, and up to 200 yuan for pour-over coffee, in sharp contrast to the 15 to 25 yuan pricing at regular stores. Manner's move is speculated to be imitating Starbucks' strategy of distinguishing between regular and Reserve stores, but against the backdrop of an increasingly fierce coffee price war, whether this differentiated pricing can win market recognition remains to be seen. [more…]

KFC's KCOFFEE continues to deepen its presence in the coffee sector and is about to launch a limited-edition drink in collaboration with the Chinese time-honored brand Wanglaoji — a Wanglaoji-flavored sparkling Americano. On one side is a Western-style fast-food coffee brand accelerating its expansion, and on the other is a representative of Cantonese herbal tea with nearly two hundred years of history. This collision of "Chinese and American herbal tea" has sparked considerable discussion. Yet before the new product even hit the shelves, netizens had already easily replicated it with Wanglaoji plus sparkling water. Can the consumer-friendly price of 9.9 yuan win over customers? What attempts has Wanglaoji made in recent years to appeal to young people? And can KFC replicate the success of Luckin and Moutai through this collaboration? This article will focus on this cross-industry cooperation, sorting through both sides' brand backgrounds, market situations, and collaboration highlights, for the reference of coffee enthusiasts. [more…]

Many consumers have noticed that coffee shop menu prices are becoming increasingly baffling. An Americano easily costs 30 yuan, and a specialty drink can easily exceed 40 yuan, leaving people feeling "stung" when they pay the bill. So, what exactly makes up the cost of a cup of coffee? And how should independent cafés scientifically price their products? This article examines store positioning, menu design, raw material costs, and original price ratio calculations to sort out the basic logic of coffee shop pricing, and provides reference cost ranges for espresso beans and milk, helping coffee lovers and industry professionals better understand the economics behind a cup of coffee. [more…]

To make a delicious Americano at home or in a shop, the choice of coffee beans is crucial. Faced with a dazzling array of brands and rankings on the market, how do you find coffee beans that truly suit you, with stable quality and freshness? This article, drawing on the practical experience of Front Street Coffee, systematically sorts out the logic of selecting Americano coffee beans, including the five major standards for commercial beans, the formulation approach for espresso blends, the principles behind crema formation, and the common sourcing channels for small cafés. It also introduces in detail Front Street Coffee's advantages in espresso bean stability, cost-effectiveness, and fresh roasting, providing a practical reference guide for coffee enthusiasts and industry professionals. [more…]

SOE stands for Single Origin Espresso, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years amid the espresso boom. This article will help you clarify the definition and characteristics of SOE, explain why it costs more than ordinary espresso, and analyze its advantages of pure flavor and clear layers, as well as its difficulties such as the challenge of nailing the roast level and obvious batch variations. It will also introduce the blending logic of espresso blends, and include espresso extraction parameters for blends such as Front Street Strawberry Candy and for Huakui SOE and Ethiopian Konga SOE, along with the water-to-coffee and milk-to-coffee ratios for making Americanos and lattes with SOE, helping you consistently produce a good cup of coffee at home. [more…]

Original coffee is black coffee without sugar or milk, covering a variety of categories such as pour-over, cold brew, and Americano. Among these, Americano is made by diluting espresso with water and places high demands on bean quality and extraction technique. This article explains in detail the differences between Americano and latte, Front Street Coffee's brewing parameters, and how to choose suitable beans based on roast level to balance bitterness and acidity. It also explains the benefits of drinking black coffee in moderation, such as aiding digestion and cutting greasiness, reducing bloating, and boosting metabolism, while reminding readers that adding syrup or non-dairy creamer brings extra calories, and recommending no more than three cups per day. [more…]

Geisha coffee has become a favorite among countless coffee lovers thanks to its white floral aroma, citrus fruit notes, and fresh tea-like feel. We usually reach for a pour-over or French press to showcase its delicate flavors, but occasionally someone wants to try extracting Geisha with an espresso machine to make a latte or an Americano. So is Geisha actually suitable for espresso? The answer is: setting aside the price factor, absolutely, but you must pay attention to two key details—full extraction and ratio control. Light-to-medium roasted Geisha is denser and requires a finer grind and a longer extraction time than regular medium-dark roasted beans to avoid sharp acidity. At the same time, the ratio of coffee to milk or water also needs adjustment, so the fresh floral notes don't get diluted. Using the Costa Rica Strawberry Candy Geisha blend as an example, Front Street Coffee shares the specific parameters for Americano and latte, helping you avoid detours and easily make a delicious Geisha espresso drink. [more…]

Recently, "ginger ale americano" has become popular again in the coffee world. This drink, made by mixing ginger ale with espresso, has attracted many enthusiasts with its unique spicy ginger flavor and fizzy sensation. Manner launched this product years ago, and recently posts sharing homemade ginger ale americanos have clearly increased. However, after searching, Front Street found that americanos made with different brands of ginger ale receive highly polarized reviews. To figure out which ginger ale is most suitable for making a ginger ale americano, Front Street bought three popular products that are easy to find offline—Schweppes, Watsons, and Bundaberg—and first tasted them on their own before testing them separately with the medium-dark roast Warm Sun Blend and the light roast Geisha. They were compared one by one across dimensions such as sweetness, ginger flavor, fizz, and coffee compatibility, to help everyone find the one that best suits their taste. [more…]

As home coffee brewing becomes increasingly popular, the moka pot has quickly become the "first pot" for coffee beginners thanks to its attractive appearance, affordable price, and low barrier to entry. If you've just gotten your hands on a moka pot but don't know what coffee beans to pair with it, be sure to bookmark this article! The working principle of the moka pot [more…]