A coffee shop sparked strong public outrage and a wave of collective negative reviews after launching a "1-yuan beauty coffee, choose one of three" group-buy package that required purchasers to be women under 35 during specific evening hours, with a note stating "if the boss doesn't think you're pretty, you need to pay the difference." The shop once explained it wanted customers to match the store's style, but this failed to quell the controversy, and it was subsequently taken offline by the platform and had its social media account canceled. Recently, the shop relaunched, and although the controversial package had disappeared, netizens once again gave low ratings, causing it to be taken offline a second time. A lawyer from Legal Daily pointed out that the package was suspected of violating the Advertising Law and the Civil Code, while the netizens' excessive criticism may constitute cyberbullying. Front Street Coffee reminds that both merchant promotion and platform review need to strictly adhere to legal bottom lines. [more…]

Recently, a café inside Xi'an Weiyang Lake Zoo introduced a special service — while drinking coffee, customers can also have a 10-minute close encounter with a lion cub just over a month old. This package starts at 268 yuan, which has sparked considerable attention and a check-in craze among netizens, but some have also raised safety concerns. On February 10, zoo staff confirmed that the program was launched during the Spring Festival, and visitors could interact with the lion cub under the supervision of professional keepers. However, as the incident gained traction, the Xi'an Wildlife Protection Station intervened to inspect and halted the close-contact interactions between visitors and the lion, and the online lion-petting packages have also been taken down. This article will walk you through the whole story and the responses from all parties. [more…]

In a cup of floral-fruity pour-over, the aroma changes over time. Freshly roasted beans usually carry more roasting gases, so the brew may have a scattered aroma and pronounced acidity, with the details not yet fully developed. After some time, the floral notes, fruity sweetness, and tea-like quality gradually become clearer, and the layers are more easily revealed on the palate. When buying beans, [more…]

Luckin Coffee's recently launched bubble gun cup, a collaboration with Genshin Impact, has sparked widespread discussion. This merchandise cup, modeled after a game character's signature weapon, generated significant anticipation among players during its promotional phase. However, following its official release, it faced considerable criticism due to material issues. It is reported that the collaborative coffee voucher package was priced at 183.5 yuan and sold out rapidly after launch, but subsequently, some users reported being forced to accept refunds, suggesting possible system vulnerabilities. What further dissatisfied fans was the official specification that the cup body is made of aluminum, with an explicit warning against filling it with beverages exceeding 50°C. Many exclaimed that they had "bought a cold water cup at a high price." Comments also pointed out potential health risks associated with prolonged use of aluminum cups, criticizing them as flashy but impractical. Nevertheless, some netizens noticed that the official promotional video seemed to suggest that this cup is more suitable for use as a pen holder. [more…]

Mstand has long been known as a "merchandise maniac," and its recent launch of two limited-edition denim bags quickly sparked a buying frenzy. However, some consumers noticed during checkout that a 100-yuan member discount appeared in the discount section of the mini-program's settlement page. When stacked, this meant that for just 19.6 yuan, they could get a three-use card package originally priced at 100 yuan, plus a 28-yuan Americano. After this anomaly was shared online, a large number of users rushed to register as members in the mini-program to try to replicate it, but few succeeded. Was it a system glitch or a traffic-driving tactic? How did the company handle it afterward? This article will sort out the whole incident. [more…]

The recently popular drama "The Tale of Rose" has sparked a wave of coffee collaborations. Luckin drew inspiration from the iconic yellow rose in the show and launched a Yellow Rose Latte along with a matching three-piece set of paper bags, cup sleeves, and keychains. Purchasing the double-cup package would earn a limited-edition collaboration keychain, and as soon as the news broke, it ignited a buying frenzy among drama fans and coffee lovers. However, because stock of the merchandise at each store was extremely limited, many consumers came eager but left empty-handed, and social media was filled with cries of lament. Even more dramatically, the keychain posted by lead actress Liu Yifei was actually not produced by Luckin, adding a touch of controversy to this collaboration campaign. This article walks you through the whole story of this buying frenzy. [more…]

Yirgacheffe, a specialty coffee representative from Ethiopia, the homeland of coffee, conquers countless palates with the gentle sweetness hidden in its petite form. A thousand years of cultivation tradition and refined washed processing give birth to bright citrus acidity and jasmine fragrance. Under light roasting, lemon, floral notes, and honey sweetness interweave, with a fresh and elegant taste. Without adding milk or sugar, you can feel its rich body and soft floral aroma. This article will take you deeper into the unique charm of this bean and recommend Front Street Coffee Washed Yirgacheffe, sharing its excellent performance in pour-over and cold brew. Whether you are a coffee novice or a seasoned enthusiast, you can find details worth savoring. [more…]

Recently, Mstand opened a pop-up store called Mstand Market on the first floor of Teemall in Guangzhou, mainly selling merchandise. The store displays various cups, bags, and other merchandise, while coffee has become a supporting role in the package deals. This "buy merchandise, get coffee free" model has sparked heated discussions among consumers, with longtime customers saying it puts the cart before the horse. Mstand, once recognized for its coffee quality, has now become a topic of discussion because of its merchandise, and is even jokingly called "a coffee shop that survives by selling merchandise." The inconsistent quality of the merchandise and controversial pricing strategy make the brand's positioning shift lamentable. [more…]

Those just starting out with pour-over coffee often begin by searching online for small packages of coffee beans, worried that buying too much might result in waste if they don't like the taste. When searching for "small package pour-over coffee beans" or "100g coffee beans," Front Street's everyday beans frequently appear in the results. Front Street's everyday beans are affordably priced, and during promotions the price drops so low it makes people question the quality—but Front Street emphasizes that whether large package or small, including the 15g sample included with the beans, they are all freshly roasted, high-quality coffee beans. For beginners who want to explore the flavors of major regions at a reasonable price, this everyday bean series is a great choice. This article will introduce the definition of regional flavor, the seven origins of Front Street's everyday beans, and how to obtain the flavor characteristics and brewing parameters of each bean. [more…]

Starbucks has offered its new CEO Brian Niccol a compensation package worth a total of $113 million, a figure that not only far exceeds what he received at his former employer Chipotle, but also rivals that of Blackstone Group in the ranking of CEO pay among S&P 500 companies. In addition to the generous salary, Starbucks has made an exception by allowing this new leader to work remotely, and has also provided him with arrangements including commuting by private jet, temporary housing, and a dedicated office, in stark contrast to the treatment of former CEO Laxman Narasimhan. This series of measures fully demonstrates Starbucks' high regard and expectations for Niccol. [more…]

If you want a coffee that has a bright acidity that doesn't overpower and a sweet finish, don't just rely on the flavor description when buying beans—also pay attention to the roast date and your own drinking pace. Right after coffee beans leave the roaster, they are still releasing carbon dioxide internally, and their aroma and sweetness have not yet fully opened up; after resting for a period of time, the acidity in the cup becomes softer, and the sweet aftertaste also [more…]

As a globally popular beverage, coffee packaging must not only prevent the escape of aroma and moisture absorption, but also address oxidation, odor adsorption, and quality deterioration caused by high temperatures. This article focuses on the packaging needs of regular coffee and instant coffee, systematically outlining key technical requirements such as oxidation prevention, moisture resistance, gas barrier properties, and high-temperature protection, and introduces current mainstream vacuum packaging and gas-flushing packaging processes. In terms of material selection, bags, bag-in-box, metal cans, and glass jars each have corresponding composite structure solutions, while instant coffee mostly uses paper/aluminum foil/polyethylene flexible packaging. The article concludes with a summary of common packaging forms such as bags, cans, and boxes, suitable for reference by coffee enthusiasts and industry professionals. [more…]

In specialty coffee shops, you often see coffee combo packages given different names—some call them Coffee Combo, others Coffee Set. Although the literal translation of both points to a coffee package, the two have developed subtle differences in emphasis in actual usage. From the perspective of Front Street, this article sorts out the mainstream online understanding of these two concepts, explains Combo's special definition and its origins, and clarifies which scenarios Set is more suited to. At the same time, the article also covers the specific preparation approach for coffee Combos, helping coffee enthusiasts clear up their confusion when ordering. Whether you are a newcomer just getting into coffee or a veteran who frequents cafés, you can gain a clear understanding from it. [more…]

After coffee beans are brought home, the aroma does not immediately reach its ideal state on the day the bag is opened. At the end of roasting, the beans are still releasing carbon dioxide, and brewing too early can easily lead to aromas dissipating, sharp acidity, or a hollow taste. The so-called peak flavor period refers to a span of time during which the flavor expression is relatively complete, and it is not the same as the food-safety meaning of " [more…]

Starting January 1, 2023, the Q Grader certification system will undergo significant changes. CQI requires all certified individuals and those currently enrolled in courses to independently complete an annual flavor calibration called Flavoractiv Calibration; otherwise, their certification will become invalid, and the certificate validity period will be shortened from three years to one year. At the same time, the triennial cupping calibration must still be attended as usual. The new requirement does not need an instructor present; individuals only need to purchase designated capsules, follow the instructions, and upload their answers to renew. CQI has also introduced calibration packages for different group sizes, priced from $160 to $585, with lower unit prices for larger groups. This article will provide a detailed interpretation of the new rules and fee changes. [more…]

After coffee beans leave the roaster, they continue to release carbon dioxide internally. If you pull an espresso at this point, the puck is easily disturbed by the gas, the flow rate is not regular enough, and although the crema may look rich, the sweetness may not yet have opened up. For home espresso to present clear nutty, caramel, or chocolate flavors, it is not the closer to the roast date the more aromatic, but rather [more…]

Coffee beans begin degassing continuously from the moment roasting is complete, and their aroma slowly changes as well. When making an Americano, the espresso is further diluted with water; overly active gas can make extraction uneven, while leaving it too long may leave nothing but flat bitterness. Rather than fixating on "the fresher the better," it is more practical to plan the rhythm of opening the bag, drinking, and finishing it, so that a bag [more…]

To enjoy a low-caffeine pour-over bean with good aroma, the key is not to chase the roast date and open the bag right away, but to let the gases inside the bean escape gradually. If you brew too early, the bed of grounds is easily lifted by the gas, and the water flows through unevenly; wait until the right stage, and the floral and fruity notes, sweetness, and aftertaste will come through more cohesively. It should be noted that resting changes the extraction performance, [more…]

The aroma of hand-ground coffee beans changes slowly over time after roasting. Freshly roasted beans contain more carbon dioxide, so grinding them tends to produce a lot of foam, and the water flow may alternate between fast and slow; after resting for a period, the gas gradually escapes, and the floral, fruity, and sweet notes are more easily expressed in the cup. Therefore, buying beans is not just [more…]

The adorable bear delivery rack jointly created by Starbucks and Meituan has recently been delivered to consumers one after another, but unexpectedly sparked a series of amusing incidents. Some people went to stores to pick up their packages only to find the staff completely confused; some only discovered after assembling it that the promotion had long ended; and some stores even mistook the delivery rack for promotional material and placed it outside the door to welcome customers. This merchandise, which requires meeting Meituan's spend-and-get conditions to reserve for free, won over countless fans with its sensor-activated glowing bear and sturdy fiberboard material, but also left netizens who missed out lamenting, "Big data, you're too late." Those who successfully got their hands on one are now starting to worry: will such a cute rack get swiped if I put it outside my door? The various experiences surrounding this co-branded merchandise reflect the subtle gap between brand campaign promotion and consumer reach. [more…]