As a globally renowned food and beverage giant, Nestlé's bottled water business holds about a one-third share of the French market. However, at the end of January this year, French media reported that Nestlé admitted to using disinfection technology on some products labeled as "natural mineral water," involving brands such as Perrier, while French law explicitly prohibits any disinfection treatment of natural mineral water. Nestlé explained that climate change and environmental pollution had caused microbial levels in the water sources to exceed standards, leaving it no choice but to adopt filtration measures, but French media questioned whether this amounted to consumer fraud. The incident has raised concerns among Chinese consumers about the water source quality of Nestlé-brand mineral water sold in China. Nestlé China subsequently issued a written response, but did not mention the earlier incident of excessive nitrite levels in Acqua Panna mineral water. Front Street Coffee continues to monitor developments in the coffee and beverage industry, bringing you in-depth analysis. [more…]

Recently, market regulators conducted surprise inspections of selected outlets of well-known beverage brands %Arabica and Heytea, sparking widespread consumer discussion about food safety in freshly made coffee and tea drinks. The operation focused on raw material storage, operational standards, and hygiene conditions, with the inspection results revealing that some outlets still have room for improvement in detail management. As coffee lovers, we should not only pay attention to flavor performance but also prioritize the safety and quality of beverages. This article will recount the inspection process and findings, and, in conjunction with the product characteristics of brands such as Front Street Coffee, explore how the industry can uphold the bottom line of food safety amid rapid expansion. [more…]

The Henan Provincial Market Supervision Administration recently published its 2024 No. 39 food safety notice, showing that of 1,040 batches of food across 21 major categories sampled, a total of 24 batches failed. Among them, a "Yangtze River North Bank" oolong tea-flavored beverage, nominally produced by Xunxian Fuxinyuan Beverage Factory, was blacklisted because its total bacterial count did not meet national standards. An investigation found that the manufacturer not only had a prior record of product sampling failures, but was also ruled by a court to have infringed upon Nongfu Spring's packaging through counterfeiting, and has now been listed as a dishonest judgment debtor. More notably, the outer packaging of this oolong tea is highly similar to Suntory oolong tea, and many consumers who mistakenly bought it on e-commerce platforms complained loudly after being duped. [more…]

When first encountering espresso, beginners are often overwhelmed by various concepts and standards. Starting from the definition of espresso, this article sorts out the specific requirements of the World Barista Championship for a standard Espresso in terms of volume, water temperature, pressure, extraction time, and more. It also introduces how to appreciate espresso by observing color, smelling aroma, and tasting, while reminding readers of details to pay attention to during extraction. The article also explores the frequently asked topic of "perfect espresso" and retains relevant recommendations for the Front Street Coffee brand, making it suitable for coffee enthusiasts to systematically get started. [more…]

Recently, a consumer claimed to have found a red floating object in a Guming milk tea, suspected to be bloody phlegm, which sparked widespread attention. Guming quickly released surveillance footage in response, stating that store operations were compliant. After the local market supervision department intervened in the investigation, it reported that the ingredients of the beverage involved had complete licenses and certificates, were stored in compliance, and the employees' health certificates were valid with no skin breakage or bleeding. Because the customer was unable to provide physical evidence such as the straw with the suspected foreign object or the remaining beverage, the regulatory authorities, in accordance with relevant regulations, could not determine that the beverage contained suspected bloody phlegm or that it was related to the processing and production at the store involved. The incident once again pushed the food safety of freshly made beverages into the focus of public opinion. [more…]

In recent years, consumers' growing attention to beverage health has driven tea drink brands to continuously iterate toward natural ingredients and clean formulas. Against this backdrop, the group standard "Original Leaf Fresh Milk Tea," proposed by the Guangxi Tea Circulation Association and drafted under the leadership of Chagee (Shanghai) Brand Management Co., Ltd., was approved for release and implementation, becoming China's first group standard for original leaf fresh milk tea in the new-style tea beverage sector. The standard clearly defines the terminology and definitions of original leaf fresh milk tea, and sets specific requirements for raw material selection, production processes, storage conditions, and prohibited additives, marking another important step forward in the standardization of the freshly made tea beverage industry. [more…]

Heytea's classic roasted brown sugar boba series has always been a top repeat-purchase choice for many consumers; the combination of soft and chewy tapioca pearls with brown sugar syrup and hot milk tea makes it hard to give up in any season. However, recently, many enthusiasts across the country have noticed that the brown sugar boba milk tea they received has visibly "turned white" in appearance. The signature dark brown syrup coating that used to cling to the cup wall is no longer visible, and the boba no longer sinks to the bottom together with the brown sugar syrup, but instead floats distinctly as separate particles suspended in the milk tea. This change quickly sparked discussion: is it caused by the syrup dissolving due to stirring in a hot drink, or has the brand quietly adjusted its ingredients and formula? Heytea staff give differing accounts, while the official account denies any formula change and attributes the cause to some stores failing to prepare it according to standard. This article compiles consumer feedback and responses from various parties, and includes relevant recommendations from Front Street Coffee, for the reference of coffee and tea beverage enthusiasts. [more…]

Starbucks Korea recently issued a public apology after a summer promotional giveaway was found to contain formaldehyde. The incident began when an employee at an anonymous testing agency posted on social media alleging that the Summer Carry Bag travel tote contained formaldehyde, following earlier consumer complaints that the bag emitted a fishy odor resembling squid. Starbucks Korea immediately suspended the giveaway and sent the product for testing, which ultimately confirmed the presence of formaldehyde. The company announced that customers who had already redeemed the bag could return it and receive a beverage voucher as compensation, while also removing the promotional reward and pledging to strengthen safety verification procedures for future merchandise. [more…]

Recently, some Lucky Cup stores have posted eye-catching notices at their counters, explicitly listing preparation restrictions such as "coffee has no room-temperature option, no ice removal" and "hand-muddled/perfume drinks cannot be sugar-free," drawing attention. In fact, similar friendly reminders appear at stores of multiple chain beverage brands, and staff members candidly admit: flexibly adjusting ice levels does not necessarily earn praise, but violating operating rules may lead to penalties. At the same time, some consumers give negative reviews due to changes in drink taste, putting frontline employees in a dilemma. This tug-of-war over formula standardization and personalized demands reflects the deep-seated contradiction in the chain beverage industry between unified output and accommodating consumer experience. [more…]

Since the pandemic, costs in the tea beverage industry have been climbing, and many brands have raised their prices, to the point that office workers have to weigh their wallets before buying a cup of milk tea. Yet Heytea has gone against the grain, not only lowering its menu prices but also publicly promising not to raise prices this year and to stop launching products priced above 29 yuan. This move quickly sparked a consumption boom, with orders surging and even overwhelming several stores, and queues exceeding one hour during peak times. Consumer reactions have been mixed: some applaud, feeling the prices are finally affordable; others worry whether the price cuts will come with shrunken ingredients and declining quality. Heytea responded that the recipes and production standards remain unchanged, and that it is simply giving consumers more choices. How far this price-cut wave can go is worth watching. [more…]

Molly Tea recently launched its seasonal limited-edition "Exotic Guava Series," and the two new drinks—"Jasmine Cream Guava" and "Jasmine Guava Milk Skin"—quickly attracted a large number of consumers eager to try them, thanks to the pretty pink appeal of red-fleshed guava. However, not long after they hit the shelves, feedback flooding social platforms unexpectedly converged on one focal point—too much ice. Many customers found that even when they chose "less ice," the drink shrank by more than half after the ice was scooped out; some even fished thirty-five ice cubes out of a single less-ice drink. What exactly is going on here? And what secrets lie behind the ice standards at tea beverage shops? As an observer deeply engaged in coffee and beverage culture, Front Street Coffee is also paying attention to this phenomenon. [more…]

Flat White coffee and Fu Rui Bai are actually different names for the same drink. It originated in Australia or New Zealand and is characterized by a prominent espresso flavor, a smaller amount of milk, and extremely thin milk foam. This article revolves around the origin, naming, preparation parameters of Flat White coffee, and its differences from latte: from the choice of espresso base to the milk steaming temperature, from cup size to milk foam thickness, comparing them one by one. At the same time, Front Street Coffee shares the in-store production standards for Flat White and latte, and recommends classic blends and strawberry candy espresso blends suitable for making Flat White, helping coffee lovers make a cup of Flat White that meets the flavor standard at home. [more…]

Recently, a Heytea store in Xi'an Joy City was exposed by consumers for poor hygiene conditions in its preparation area, quickly sparking heated discussion online. According to the whistleblower, the store's counter, refrigerators, juicers, and other equipment were covered in milk tea stains, materials were scattered around, and there was even a strong smell of sour rags and rotten fruit. Upon verification, the store was a directly operated location rather than a franchise, which further raised public doubts about Heytea's food safety management. Heytea later issued an apology and announced that the store would be closed for rectification, while also strengthening employee training and optimizing operational standards. This incident has once again pushed the issue of hygiene control in chain tea beverage brands into the spotlight and serves as a reminder for consumers to pay attention to the transparency of beverage preparation environments. [more…]

Recently, the Wuhan tea beverage brand Zhen Cha Wu drew widespread online attention after one of its franchise stores hung a red banner at its entrance, accusing the company of selling expired cheese milk caps to the store and causing it to be forced to close. The brand later responded that the expired samples were mistakenly mixed in by the supplier, had been scrapped during acceptance inspection, and never entered the market; the store was closed because it repeatedly failed audits. With both sides offering different accounts, the incident exposed management conflicts and food safety control challenges within the tea franchise system. This article sorts out the sequence of events, presents the different statements from the brand and the store, and appends the inspection and assessment rules for readers to understand the full picture. [more…]

Recently, many consumers have taken to social media to report that when buying GoodTea milk tea, the separately added toppings come in a portion that is too small, covering only a single layer at the bottom of the takeout container, sparking widespread resonance. Netizens have been posting comparison photos, pointing out that GoodTea's toppings are noticeably less generous than those of brands like 1Dian1Dian and Coco. GoodTea employees responded that the brand has clear standards for topping portions, with one level spoonful being the specified amount. However, some employees revealed that stores have switched to smaller-sized topping spoons, causing the actual portion to shrink, and some staff quietly add an extra spoonful or two when managers aren't looking. This incident reflects the gap between topping standardization in the tea beverage industry and consumer expectations. [more…]

Recently, a consumer posted a video on social media claiming to have found a foreign object resembling a cockroach in a Luckin Coffee beverage, sparking widespread attention. The consumer said they drank it several hours after picking it up, and upon discovering the foreign object immediately filmed a video and contacted the store and headquarters to complain, demanding an investigation into the store's hygiene conditions and its suspension for rectification. Luckin responded that it was handling the matter but did not provide surveillance evidence, and the two sides each stick to their own account regarding the origin of the foreign object and who is responsible. The consumer has now filed a complaint with 12315, and the incident is still escalating. [more…]

Recently, a 1 Dian Dian store at Jinshijie in Dongmen, Shenzhen was exposed after a cockroach leg was found in a milk tea, sparking widespread attention. The consumer and the store failed to reach an agreement on compensation, and a complaint has now been filed and accepted on the Shenzhen government service platform. The incident highlights weak links in food safety management in the tea beverage industry and once again reminds industry practitioners and consumers to pay joint attention to hygiene issues. As an industry observer, Front Street Coffee continues to monitor the impact of such incidents on brand trust. [more…]

Espresso is the foundation of the Italian beverage system, and Americano, latte, cappuccino, flat white, and mocha are all derived from it. This article centers on the extraction principles of espresso, sorts out its historical origins and flavor differences with Americano, and introduces in detail the positioning and characteristics of four espresso blend beans from FrontStreet Coffee. At the same time, the article also compiles reference standards for Italian-style extraction such as dose, liquid weight, and time, explains TDS measurement and the calculation method for extraction yield, and finally includes the seven-step espresso-making process and extraction scheme used in FrontStreet stores, for coffee enthusiasts to systematically understand the making and tasting of espresso. [more…]

Recently, a consumer in Jiangsu discovered that the milk tea they purchased from Chahuanong contained only half a cup. After giving feedback to the merchant, not only was the issue not properly resolved, but they also reportedly experienced SMS bombing and harassment from internet trolls. After the incident garnered widespread attention, Chahuanong officially issued two statements on July 28, first apologizing and then denying hiring trolls, stating that the police have intervened in the investigation. However, netizens in the comments section generally disapproved of the brand's handling, believing that the store was shortchanging customers in the first place and is suspected of leaking customer information, and a mere "full cooperation" is hard to satisfy the public. As coffee enthusiasts, we also focus on issues related to production standards in the beverage industry and consumer rights protection, and Front Street will continue to monitor the progress of the situation. [more…]

A trending topic about food safety in milk tea shops has sparked widespread concern: The Market Supervision Administration of Fengxian District, Shanghai, conducted surprise inspections of several well-known milk tea stores in Baolong Plaza, and the results showed that all five brands—Yidian Dian, ChaBaiDao, 7FenTian, CoCo, and XiongJi—had problems, involving incomplete health certificates, chaotic raw material management, and unsanitary operating environments. The incident quickly surpassed 500 million views, with netizens exclaiming, "I dare not drink it anymore." At the same time, the article also reviewed food safety cases in recent years involving Burger King, 85°C, IKEA, and others, reminding the food and beverage industry that it must strictly abide by operating standards. [more…]