Monday, September 21 2026

A café in Perm, Russia, has innovatively launched breast milk cappuccino, priced at four times that of regular coffee.

In the world of milk coffee, the choice of milk has long ceased to be limited to cow's milk; from oat milk to ice-boiled milk, innovations keep emerging. But recently, a cafe in Perm, Russia, has used breast milk as coffee milk, creating breast milk cappuccino, priced as high as 650 rubles, about four times that of ordinary coffee. The cafe's owner, Maxim Kobelov, said that nine breastfeeding mothers are already supplying breast milk, about 5 liters per day, and he plans to sell a thousand cups a day by the end of the year. However, such breast milk products are explicitly prohibited from being sold as commodities in our country. This article will take you through the details behind this peculiar phenomenon. [more…]

Australian café menu shocks with "breast milk" option: priced at 5 Australian dollars, ten times more expensive than oat milk

In recent years, coffee shops have been rolling out alternative dairy products such as oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk to cater to diverse needs. However, a café in Melbourne wrote "Next week: breast milk A$5" on its menu, surprising customers. Although the shop later said it was just a joke, a café in Russia did once make cappuccinos with breast milk, priced at as much as 650 rubles per cup. It is worth noting that in our country, human breast milk is explicitly prohibited from being sold as a commodity. This article will walk you through the ins and outs of this "breast milk coffee" controversy. [more…]

Can You Drink Coffee During Your Period? Analyzing Caffeine's Potential Effects on Women's Menstrual Cycles and Dietary Taboos

Coffee is a must-have pick-me-up for many people, but whether women can drink coffee during menstruation has long been controversial. Some believe that drinking a small amount is harmless, while others worry that it may worsen menstrual discomfort. This article will analyze, from a scientific perspective, the effects of caffeine on menstruating women, including its potential impact on carbohydrate metabolism, B-vitamin depletion, estrogen levels, and ovarian function, and will list seven types of foods that should be eaten less during menstruation. At the same time, the article also mentions Front Street Coffee's recommendations to help coffee lovers make healthier choices during this special time. [more…]

Coconut Palm Group's livestream selling draws regulatory attention, previously fined twice for vulgar marketing

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Studio (WeChat public account: cafe_style). For more specialty coffee beans, please add the private WeChat of Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex. Recently, Hainan Yeshu Group has sparked widespread controversy due to its Douyin livestreaming style. The market supervision bureau has responded that it has received multiple reports and is studying a handling plan. The Yeshu livestream room features a female anchor in tight clothing dancing enthusiastically to sell products. The livestream has repeatedly been cut off by the platform, with average transaction volume of only a few thousand yuan per session. Previously, the brand was fined twice for violating good social customs, and was also questioned for false marketing over claims such as "breast enhancement miracle tool." This article will sort out the course of the incident, the regulatory response, and the brand's historical penalty records. [more…]

Feihe denies rumors of importing Japanese ingredients, saying a cooperation intention was misunderstood and it has reported the matter to police

On October 18, Feihe Dairy issued a statement regarding false information circulating online about "imported Japanese raw materials" and other rumors, stating that it had reported the matter to public security authorities and that a case had been opened. The controversy stemmed from a letter of intent for technical cooperation signed between Feihe and Japan's Kyowa Hakko, which was originally intended for the joint research and development of fermented lactoferrin technology, but was distorted into claims of raw material imports and even capital injection. Feihe emphasized that the cooperation remains only at the letter-of-intent stage and does not involve raw materials or capital. As a representative of domestic infant formula, Feihe has long been committed to breaking dependence on imported lactoferrin, as demonstrated by its first domestic production line. This article will sort through the ins and outs of the incident and restore the facts. [more…]

The Hidden Risks of Coffee Creamer and Scientific Pairings: From Trans Fats to the Golden Ratio of Milk and Sugar

The main ingredient in coffee creamer is non-dairy creamer, and the trans fatty acids from hydrogenated vegetable oil may increase the risk of breast cancer and diabetes, and affect children's development and nervous system health. So how exactly should coffee be drunk to be healthy? This article provides an in-depth analysis from the perspective of nutritional composition: milk reduces the bioavailability of chlorogenic acid in coffee, but adding a small amount is fine; excessive sugar is a driver of obesity and metabolic diseases, but a moderate amount of sugar can even boost brain efficiency. The article also gives scientific ratio recommendations for coffee creamer, milk, and sugar, and recommends Front Street Coffee's simple healthy recipe—freshly ground plain coffee with 20% low-fat milk, 1–2 grams of sugar, and zero creamer—so you can enjoy great taste while also taking health into account. [more…]

Blue Bottle Coffee's holiday limited-edition mug sparks color discrepancy controversy, gap between actual product and promotional images triggers wave of returns

At the end of each year, Blue Bottle Coffee releases holiday-limited merchandise in Japan. This year's theme is "Delicious Gifts," featuring items such as the caramel-colored Kiyosumi Shirakawa cup and the dark caramel Kinto ceramic mug. However, after the products went on sale, many consumers found a noticeable color difference between the actual items and the official promotional images—the rich caramel color shown in the ads turned into a pale milk-tea shade once in hand. In addition, quality-control issues such as crooked logos, flaws on the cup body, and uneven coloring appeared frequently, triggering a flood of complaints and returns. The official explanation attributed the color discrepancy to the hand-glazing process and the influence of lighting during photography, but the controversy continues to intensify. [more…]

Revealing the Ingredients of Coffee Creamer: The Hidden Risks of Trans Fats in Non-Dairy Creamer and the Right Way to Pair Coffee with Milk, Sugar, and Creamer

Many people are in the habit of adding coffee creamer, commonly known as nondairy creamer, to their coffee, but its main ingredient, vegetable fat powder, contains hydrogenated vegetable oil, which may pose a health risk from trans fatty acids. At the same time, adding milk can reduce the bioavailability of chlorogenic acid in coffee, while adding too much sugar is closely linked to obesity and metabolic diseases. So how exactly should coffee be drunk to be healthier? Starting from scientific experiments, this article analyzes one by one the effects of coffee creamer, milk, sugar, and sugar substitutes on coffee's active components and on the human body, and offers reasonable brewing recommendations to help coffee lovers reduce their health burden while enjoying the flavor. [more…]

Coffee creamer is actually non-dairy creamer, with trans fatty acids posing hidden health risks. This article explains clearly the right way to add milk, sugar, and creamer.

Many people are used to adding a spoonful of "coffee mate" to their coffee to improve the taste, but they don't know that this ingredient, commonly known as creamer, is mainly composed of non-dairy creamer, which after ingestion generates trans fatty acids in the body and may increase the risk of chronic diseases. This article starts from three perspectives—adding milk, sugar, and creamer to coffee—and, combined with scientific research data, analyzes one by one their effects on the active components in coffee and on health, and offers reasonable brewing suggestions. Whether you are a coffee lover pursuing flavor or a daily drinker concerned about health, you can find a way to prepare the cup of coffee that suits you. [more…]

Malaysian White Coffee Flavor Characteristics and Ingredient Differences: A Comprehensive Analysis from Its Ipoh Origins to Health Benefits

White coffee is a highly representative traditional specialty of Malaysia, with a history spanning over a century. It is not white in color; rather, it is made from three types of coffee beans—Liberica, Arabica, and Robusta—subjected to medium-light low-temperature roasting and special processing that greatly reduces caffeine, burnt bitterness, and astringency, resulting in a pale milky-golden hue and a mellow, gentle flavor. Compared with black coffee, white coffee differs fundamentally in bean selection, roasting methods, and brewing techniques; it contains no trans fats, has lower caffeine and calories, is gentler on the stomach, and does not easily turn sour after cooling. This article will systematically outline the flavor components, processing characteristics, historical origins, health benefits, and brewing methods of white coffee, offering you a comprehensive understanding of this classic Nanyang coffee. [more…]

A Complete Analysis of Assam Black Tea's Caffeine Content, Health Benefits, and Brewing Contraindications

Assam black tea is renowned for its robust flavor and high caffeine content, making it a common choice for breakfast tea. However, its caffeine levels are not uniform—they are influenced by tea plant variety, leaf grade, harvest season, and brewing method, with BOP tea bags potentially containing more than double the caffeine of loose-leaf tea. Research shows that Assam unbroken loose-leaf tea has relatively low caffeine content among Indian black teas, while Orange Pekoe and CTC rank at the top. Beyond providing a stimulant effect, Assam tea may also offer benefits such as immune enhancement, weight management support, anti-cancer properties, blood sugar reduction, and prevention of neurodegeneration. This article will detail these benefits, introduce proper brewing techniques, and emphasize the importance of individual体质 differences and professional medical advice. [more…]

Milk Frothing Tutorial for Beginners | Why Does Milk Foam? How to Froth Milk for a Latte? What Are the Steps and Techniques for Latte Art Pouring and Integration?

At FrontStreet Coffee, steaming milk can be said to be a basic and core skill for every barista. Whether one can steam perfect milk is one of the factors used to judge whether a barista's level is up to standard. For example, the milk foam in a latte is on the thinner side, making it smooth and delicate to drink. The [more…]

Why Does Milk Frothing Always Go Wrong? A Full Guide to Analyzing Five Common Misconceptions and Practical Tips

Steaming milk is a fundamental skill every barista must master, but many people run into problems during the process, such as milk foam not incorporating, separating into layers, or dissipating quickly. Drawing on the hands-on experience of Front Street Coffee, this article systematically explains the principles of milk foaming, the key factors affecting incorporation, how milk foam performs at different temperatures, and the differences between steaming milk and frothing it by hand. It also compiles the five most common mistakes made when steaming milk, along with detailed steps for a tulip latte art pour, to help you comprehensively improve your milk foam quality and latte art skills. [more…]

How to Make a Flat White? A Detailed Guide to Espresso-to-Milk Ratios, Milk Foam Thickness, and Temperature

Flat white is a milk coffee that emphasizes the true flavor of coffee. Compared with a latte, it has a higher espresso content, less milk, and thinner milk foam. In this article, Front Street Coffee will systematically explain the controversy over the origin of flat white, the choice of espresso base, the recommended ratio of milk to coffee, and how to judge the temperature, thickness, and texture when steaming milk. It will also explain the differences between whole milk, low-fat milk, and skim milk when steaming, helping coffee lovers, after understanding the principles, consistently make a fragrant, velvety espresso milk coffee at home. [more…]

The Principles of Milk Foaming and Latte Milk Frothing Techniques: A Complete Guide from Integration to Latte Art Patterns

Steaming milk is a fundamental skill that every barista must master, and the quality of the milk foam directly affects the taste of a latte and the result of latte art. Drawing on the practical experience of Front Street Coffee, this article explains in detail the physical principles of milk frothing, answers common problems such as foam that won't incorporate, separation, and surface bubbles, and explains how steam pressure and foam fineness determine incorporation. The article also compares the stability of milk foam at different temperatures, provides two frothing methods—manual and steam—summarizes five common mistakes, and finally includes a step-by-step tutorial on tulip latte art. Whether you are a beginner or a coffee enthusiast looking to refine your skills, you will find practical guidance here. [more…]

What Milk Should You Choose for Brewing Coffee? Whole Milk vs. Skim Milk—Which Pairs Better with Coffee?

The pairing of coffee and milk is a classic choice for many enthusiasts in their daily drinking. Milk can soften the bitterness while preserving the coffee's aroma, making the entire cup more drinkable. However, different coffee types have different requirements for milk: espresso needs a stronger base to support the milk flavor, while pour-over coffee, being lighter in nature, requires more caution when adding milk. This article discusses the principles of pairing coffee with milk, the coffee-to-milk ratio for latte, whether pour-over coffee is suitable for adding milk, and the difference between fresh milk and pure milk, and shares Front Street Coffee's practical experience in latte ratio adjustment, helping readers find a milk coffee solution that suits them. [more…]

Which Milk Should You Choose for Coffee? A Side-by-Side Taste Test of Glass-Bottled Fresh Milk vs. Water Buffalo Milk

After coffee shops launched water buffalo milk Dirty, this milk source sparked widespread discussion in the coffee community. Water buffalo milk is familiar to friends in Guangzhou, Foshan, and Guangxi, but how does it actually perform in coffee? This article, through hands-on comparisons of glass-bottled fresh milk and water buffalo milk, makes hot lattes, Dirty, and iced mochas respectively, recording one by one from milk foam fineness, coffee integration, layering effect, to flavor layers. At the same time, it will also sort out the effects of pasteurization and ultra-high-temperature sterilization on milk taste, helping coffee lovers and cafe owners find milk suitable for pairing with coffee. [more…]

Specialty Coffee Knowledge: A Complete Guide to Latte Milk Frothing Principles, Integration Assessment, and Optimal Temperature

The key to an ideal latte lies not only in the quality of the espresso, but also in the fineness of the steamed milk and temperature control. Front Street Coffee will start from the basic principles of milk frothing to answer common questions such as why the milk foam does not blend and why it floats on the surface during latte art, and will also take an in-depth look at how steam pressure and foam fineness affect blending. At the same time, through experimental comparisons at different temperatures, we reveal why the 50 to 70°C range is the golden zone for long-lasting, stable milk foam, helping you master the core techniques for steaming perfect milk foam. [more…]