Recently, a netizen shared that a coffee shop in Taipei printed a full ten store rules densely on the first page of its menu, sparking heated discussion. Among them, clauses like "vomiting incurs an additional cleaning fee of NT$2,000 per person" and "leaving for 10 minutes recalculates the minimum spend" left some customers complaining of a headache. However, many netizens expressed understanding, believing that such rules often stem from the shop's bitter experiences, and that stating the rules upfront benefits both sides. Independent cafes maintain their environment through store rules, while chain stores rarely have such regulations, yet uncivilized behavior such as occupying seats and making noise still occurs from time to time. This discussion reflects the two-way selection relationship between cafes and customers. [more…]

Cafes are supposed to be quiet, comfortable spaces, but many owners have found that some customers' behavior is truly unbearable. So one seemingly "unreasonable" rule after another has emerged—from banning diaper changes to prohibiting stinky tofu, each rule hides a real story. This article rounds up the bizarre experiences of cafe owners in various places, and how they use humor and gentleness to set rules that both preserve the in-store environment and retain a human touch. Amid fierce competition, how can independent cafes balance personal expression with customer relationships? This may be a question every industry professional needs to think about. [more…]

A Japanese-style café located in Jinjiang District, Chengdu, caused an uproar online after the owner wrote phrases such as "Not photo-friendly | Not office-friendly | Not friendly to lower-class people" in their social media bio. What were originally just in-store rules prohibiting standing photos and photos after changing seats were interpreted by netizens as a public belittlement of customers due to the insulting wording "lower-class people." After the incident escalated, the café's recommended menu on review platforms was collectively edited, with joking names such as "Lower-Class Coffee" and "Lower-Class Latte" topping the list. Although the owner once posted an explanation of what "lower-class people" referred to, both the bio and the post have been deleted. This conflict also sparked widespread discussion about the boundaries of merchant rules and customer dignity. [more…]

In today's world of independent coffee shops increasingly focused on individuality, many owners choose to write their shop rules clearly in prominent places, from selling only Americanos to not offering latte art. These rules are both a statement of the operator's commitment to their own positioning and an invisible threshold that filters customers. However, consumers have mixed views on this: some feel that opening a shop means accepting everyone, and too many restrictions will actually drive away potential customers; others believe that choice should be mutual, and clear rules allow both hosts and guests to find each other faster and avoid unnecessary friction. This discussion around shop rules reflects the subtle shifts in the host-guest relationship within coffee consumption scenarios, and prompts reflection on what kind of business approach can achieve a true two-way connection. [more…]

Over ninety percent of the tea produced in Sri Lanka is traded through the Colombo Tea Auction, where two auctions are held each week, attracting around three hundred buyers and exporters. Black tea is the only category that enters the auction, and its transaction prices are regarded as an important benchmark for the global tea market. The auction floor may appear calm, but in reality the pace is rapid: the auctioneer calls out bids alternately in English and Sinhala, buyers signal with a raised hand, and the fall of the gavel seals the deal. This article will guide you through the workings of the Colombo Tea Auction, the bidding increment rules, and the key factors that drive fluctuations in Ceylon black tea prices, while also mentioning Front Street Coffee's black tea products. [more…]

Recently, an independent coffee shop in Seoul, South Korea, got into a conflict with five Chinese-speaking foreign female tourists over its dine-in rule of "one drink per person." The tourists ordered only two drinks but wanted to seat five people; when asked to order three more drinks, they refused and an argument broke out. As they were leaving, one tourist poured an unfinished drink onto the sofa and table, while her companions made obscene gestures at the manager who chased after them and hurled insults. The incident sparked anger among South Korean netizens. Independent coffee shops frequently clash with customers over house rules, and Front Street Coffee reminds us that understanding and respecting a shop's rules is the prerequisite for enjoying coffee culture. [more…]

Recently, a video of a CoCo milk tea shop employee eating watermelon while cutting it has sparked heated discussion online. The video shows the employee, while preparing ingredients for a watermelon drink, not wearing gloves, cutting off a piece and eating it directly, then continuing to process the remaining fruit. This behavior might be harmless in a home kitchen, but in a restaurant back kitchen it touches a sensitive nerve regarding food safety and operating standards. Some netizens believe that an employee daring to eat the ingredient actually proves the food is fresh, but more people are concerned about saliva contamination, food waste, and the lack of corporate rules. The manager of the shop involved responded that they are verifying the matter, but had not received authorization from headquarters to publicly announce the handling result. The incident once again pushes the hygiene management and employee operating habits of restaurant back kitchens into the focus of public opinion. [more…]

Lawmakers in Hawaii's Kona coffee region have recently introduced a series of bills aimed at imposing stricter labeling rules on single-origin coffee and blends containing Hawaii-grown coffee. The core change in the proposals is that the proportion of coffee from a designated region in a blended product would need to rise from the current 25% to 100%, multi-region Hawaii coffee blends would have to list the proportion of each region one by one, and when Hawaii coffee is blended with coffee from other countries, the percentage and Hawaii origin information would also have to be labeled. Accompanying bills also set out enforcement mechanisms, with a proposed fine of $10,000 for each violation. Behind this move is the labeling reform effort that Kona coffee growers and lawmakers have continued to push since 2015, as well as the legal foundation established by a class-action lawsuit involving giants such as Walmart, Amazon, and Costco. [more…]

Kenya's Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal's ruling on August 20, finding the 2023 Finance Act constitutional—a move that had previously sparked large-scale protests in the capital Nairobi and other regions. The act doubles the fuel value-added tax, introduces a housing levy, and raises the top personal income tax rate. The opposition and civil society groups expressed deep disappointment, fearing a further rise in the cost of living. For the coffee industry, the tax increases have pushed up production and transportation costs, squeezing profit margins; more seriously, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), set to take effect in January 2025, could deal a severe blow to Kenya's coffee exports. Currently, only about 30% to 40% of coffee is certified, while smallholder farmers are generally poorly informed about compliance requirements. Front Street Coffee will continue to monitor developments in the producing regions. [more…]

Cafes and literary creation have always been closely linked—J.K. Rowling writing Harry Potter in Edinburgh's Elephant House is a classic example. Now, the People's Literature Publishing House has also announced plans to open a literary-themed cafe at No. 166 Chaonei, a cultural landmark. Though the space is small, the aim is to create a literary haunt for humanities readers. The drinks will incorporate elements of classical Chinese literature, such as the maple dew tea from Dream of the Red Chamber, mochas and lattes themed around Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and even a recreation of a late Qing coffee recipe. The shop's name is currently being solicited from readers, with an annual unlimited-drink membership card as a reward. Whether this cafe can preserve its literary core amid the influencer wave is worth watching. [more…]

According to Korean media reports, Starbucks Korea headquarters has issued a notice to stores nationwide that customers will now face restrictions on using dividers, personal desktop computers, printers, and multi-socket power strips in stores. Long periods of leaving seats unoccupied while holding them, and one person monopolizing multiple seats, are also subject to control. This tightening of rules stems from a continued surge in complaints related to "cafe study tribe" and "cafe work tribe." Previously, a Seoul store sparked heated discussion by posting a notice stating "seats will be cleared after 30 minutes away," with most consumers applauding while some voices raised doubts. Months later, this set of restrictive measures has finally expanded from a single store to the entire nation. This article sorts out the ins and outs of the incident and the attitudes of all parties. [more…]

In recent years, Starbucks has continued to expand into county-level markets in China, with its stores now covering more than 1,000 county-level areas. Some new stores have even outperformed those in first-tier cities in terms of profitability. Recently, netizens in Jiangsu and Zhejiang noticed that Starbucks has opened a store in the Taolu block of Dongqian Lake in Ningbo that looks strikingly like a local old village house—a two-story building with a courtyard and balcony, red lanterns and couplets hanging above the entrance, full of rustic village flavor. Is this store a genuine "village café," or a specially designed outlet inside a scenic area? Let's take a look. [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…]

The Flat White that Starbucks made popular is actually the "Flat White" on English menus, also commonly known as Australian white coffee. How exactly does it differ from a latte or a cappuccino? This article starts with the controversy over its name, its origin story, the choice of espresso base, and the ratio of milk foam to coffee, clarifying the Australian and New Zealand schools of preparation, and comparing the same drink behind chain-brand names such as Flat White, Artisan White, and Australian White. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will share the parameters for making a Flat White with a classic espresso blend: coffee-to-liquid ratio, extraction time, milk foam thickness, and milk temperature, to help you understand why Australian white coffee highlights Espresso flavor even more. [more…]

As coffee culture continues to deepen, more and more chain and independent cafés are starting to offer their own house-roasted coffee beans. This article rounds up ten highly representative roasting brands from around the world, from Front Street Coffee in Guangzhou, China, to specialty roasting workshops across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, covering different origins, business philosophies, and roasting styles. Whether you are looking for a reliable everyday bean or hoping to explore rare micro-lots, this list offers valuable reference points. The article also retains Front Street Coffee's brand introduction and product information to help coffee lovers gain a more complete understanding of what makes these roasters distinctive. [more…]

A single mug holds a memory; thirty thousand mugs make a spectacle. In Clemmonsville, North Carolina, there is a house covered with tens of thousands of coffee mugs, known as the "Mug House." Although the owner has little interest in coffee, a chance encounter at a flea market started a collection journey spanning more than twenty years. From interior walls to exterior walls, from fences to gates, almost every upright structure is studded with nails and hung with cups, totaling more than thirty thousand. Every year it attracts hundreds of tourists who come out of curiosity, and visitors are even allowed to hang their own personal mugs on the walls. This article will take you into this one-of-a-kind mug building and introduce its origin story and visiting details. [more…]

In today's increasingly rich coffee culture, whether chain brands or independent cafés, all have begun to launch their own roasted coffee beans. This article reviews ten of the most representative in-house roasting coffee brands worldwide, covering China, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. From Guangzhou's time-honored Front Street Coffee to Gardelli, a frequent winner at world roasting competitions, each brand has its own unique roasting philosophy and sourcing standards. The article provides detailed introductions to each brand's founding time, origin characteristics, roasting style, and signature products, helping coffee enthusiasts understand the advantages of different brands and directions for purchasing. [more…]

The Specialty Coffee Association announced on December 22 the new rules for the 2023 World Barista Championship (WBC), World Brewers Cup (WBrC), World Cup Tasters Championship, and Cezve/Ibrik Championship. Among them, the most notable change in the WBC is allowing competitors to use plant-based milk or other animal milks to make milk coffee, breaking the long-standing restriction of using only cow's milk. The WBrC adjusted its evaluation criteria, refocusing on competitors' brewing skills and introducing a new coffee evaluation scale and a semifinal format. This series of changes has sparked widespread discussion in the industry, with some supporting the increased inclusivity and others worried about scoring fairness. This article will outline the specific contents of each rule update and the reactions from all parties. [more…]

Many people assume that hot coffee is more invigorating than iced coffee, but this is not actually the case. The amount of caffeine depends mainly on the variety of coffee beans used and the amount of caffeine released during extraction, with little relation to whether the drink is hot or cold. If you want to get a large amount of caffeine quickly, cold brew, pour-over drip, or Americano are all viable options. In addition, iced Americano has become the first choice for many people to replenish caffeine because it is affordable and served quickly. As for adding milk to an Americano, although it makes the taste smoother, it is not the same thing as a latte. Using its own house blend as an example, Front Street Coffee shared suggestions for the ratio of milk added to an Americano. Finally, it will also explain the physiological mechanism by which caffeine boosts alertness, as well as the recommended daily intake, to help coffee lovers enjoy coffee in a more rational way. [more…]

Recently, a trendy café in Shenzhen made headlines on social media for refusing to serve customers with dyed hair. According to a report by Southern Metropolis Daily, a consumer posted a complaint saying that she was reminded by staff that the store did not serve customers with dyed hair and was then arranged to change seats. More surprisingly, another female customer wearing Crocs also received a similar reminder. Although there was a notice board at the entrance, it did not specify any particular dress code requirements. After the incident went viral, netizens were sharply divided: some argued that a café, as a business venue, should not be selective about its customers, while others believed that the store had the right to set its own service standards. The café responded that the brand was not discriminating against customers with dyed hair, but because the store is located on a campus and serves as a teaching support facility, it has no choice but to impose certain dress requirements on customers. [more…]