What exactly does a coffee tree look like? What is the essential difference between Arabica and Robusta? Starting from botanical classification, this article systematically sorts out the complete classification system of the genus Coffea and explains in detail the origins, growing conditions, flavor characteristics, and main subspecies of the two major commercial varieties, Arabica and Robusta. You will learn about the anatomical structure of the coffee cherry, the spread paths of classic subspecies such as Typica and Bourbon, and the genetic connections between Yunnan small-bean coffee and Blue Mountain and Kona. Whether you are a beginner enthusiast or a seasoned professional, this basic knowledge about coffee varieties is worth reading. Front Street Coffee will also recommend variety information worth paying attention to in this article. [more…]

Colombian coffee occupies an important place in the world of specialty coffee, and its green bean grading system is based primarily on defect rates and bean screen size. When buying Colombian coffee, what exactly do the words "Supremo" and "Excelso" commonly seen on burlap sacks mean? This article will systematically sort out the grading rules for Colombian green coffee beans from multiple angles, including export standards, defect scoring, and screen-size classification, and explain the specific differences among the three grades UGQ, EP, and Supremo. At the same time, the article will also introduce common Colombian coffee bean brands on the market, including product information recommended by Front Street Coffee, to help coffee lovers more clearly understand the grade and quality of the bag of beans in their hands. [more…]

Ethiopia is a genetic treasure trove of coffee, with a vast array of native varieties and unique flavors. From Yirgacheffe to Sidamo, from washed to natural, every bean is full of surprises. This article takes you deep into Ethiopia's coffee variety classifications, flavor characteristics, processing method differences, the Red Cherry Project, and its unique grading system, and shares Front Street Coffee's cupping and brewing experience to help you gain a comprehensive understanding of this major African coffee country. [more…]

The content of defective beans directly affects coffee quality and grade classification. Taking Brazil as an example, the local system uses a "deduction method," grading based on the number of defective beans per 300 grams of main beans. In addition, coffee usually requires hand sorting during processing, and only by fully mastering the types and characteristics of defective beans can they be effectively removed. So exactly how many types of defective beans are there? This article will use illustrated explanations to introduce ten common defective beans one by one, including shell beans, stones, moldy beans, fermented beans, dead beans, immature beans, shell beans, insect-damaged beans, black beans, and cocoa beans, explaining their causes, appearance characteristics, and negative effects on coffee flavor, laying the foundation for subsequent learning about defective bean selection. [more…]

If you enjoy drinking coffee, you may come across several terms related to coffee bean classification: "blended coffee beans," "single-origin coffee beans," and "pour-over coffee beans." In this article, we will uncover the meanings behind these terms and help beginners understand how to choose the right coffee beans for home use. 1. Blended coffee [more…]

Specialty coffee is centered on carefully cultivated high-altitude Arabica, and its varietal system originates from two ancient bloodlines: Typica from Ethiopia and Bourbon from Yemen. This article systematically outlines the definition of specialty coffee and provides a detailed classification of major Arabica varieties, including Typica, Bourbon and their genetic mutations, intraspecific hybrids, and interspecific hybrids. It covers varieties such as Bourbon Pointu, Maragogipe, Geisha, SL28, Caturra, and Pacamara, while also explaining the position of hybrid varieties in specialty coffee and the key influence of producing estates on flavor differences. [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow: Front Street Coffee (Frontsteet Coffee). Some friends who have purchased Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee) beans may be a bit confused about why Front Street's coffee bean labels don't indicate the roast level. [more…]

Yunnan, as the core coffee-growing region in China, nurtures small-bean coffee that is rich but not bitter, aromatic but not harsh, with a slight fruity note, thanks to its low latitude, high altitude, and abundant rainfall. The most common variety on the market is Catimor, but a small amount of Typica is still grown—for example, Front Street Coffee's estate in Lincang cultivates Typica. This article systematically reviews the variety classification, morphological characteristics, main producing regions, processing methods, and brewing parameters of Yunnan coffee, and includes flavor descriptions of Front Street Coffee's washed Yunnan small-bean, natural Catimor, and 2013 natural Typica, helping enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of Yunnan coffee's past and present. [more…]

For those who are new to coffee, understanding its essence, botanical characteristics, growing conditions, and harvesting process is the first step toward building systematic knowledge. This article will unfold around the basic concepts of coffee, sorting through key points one by one—from the morphology of the coffee tree, variety classification, and suitable growing environment, to the harvest periods and green bean processing methods of major global producing regions. The article also covers related product information recommended by Front Street Coffee, as well as the specific practices of Macado specialty beans in quality control. Whether you are a coffee enthusiast or a barista just starting out, this content can help you more clearly understand the full story behind a cup of coffee. [more…]

Geisha has made a big splash in recent years, and under the pursuit of enthusiasts, its price seems to be creating a historical high every year. With this kind of information, exactly what price should the Geisha coffee beans you buy reach before it [more…]

High-value Yirgacheffe recommendation. Front Street Coffee washed Yirgacheffe coffee beans. Region: Ethiopia Yirgacheffe. Altitude: 2300 meters. Variety: heirloom. Processing method: washed. Flavor notes: lemon, citrus, tea-like, honey, berry. Recommended because: classic Yirgacheffe flavor, affordable price, can be brewed [more…]

When it comes to coffee with floral and fruity aromas, Front Street Coffee immediately thinks of Yirgacheffe. Although Geisha coffee also has floral and fruity aromas, when it comes to which is better, Front Street Coffee still believes Yirgacheffe's is more vivid. Yirgacheffe is a specialty coffee region in Ethiopia. It originally belonged to the Sidama region, but because of its unique flavor it was [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow: Front Street Coffee (Frontsteet Coffee). When Colombian coffee beans are mentioned, the delicate berry-like sweet acidity, the aroma of roasted nuts, and the caramel-like finish, with a balanced coffee flavor, make many newcomers to pour-over coffee can't help but exclaim: This is just too [more…]

Commercially available coffee is generally divided into three categories: "industrial coffee," "commercial coffee," and "specialty coffee." The classification criteria are as follows: (1) Industrial coffee: 100% pure Robusta coffee beans. (2) Commercial coffee: blended beans from different regions or varieties. (3) Specialty coffee: high-quality [more…]

Every variety of coffee beans has different bean appearance (bean外貌) characteristics. In this article, Front Street will guide everyone through coffee bean appearance to identify coffee bean varieties, and what flavor characteristics do different coffee varieties have? ~| Typica (Typica) Typica originated in Ethiopia and southeastern Sudan. [more…]

In the world of specialty coffee, Jamaican Blue Mountain and Ethiopian Yirgacheffe stand as the ultimate representatives of two distinct styles. The former is renowned for its nutty and chocolatey notes and its balanced ratio of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness, while the latter has won over countless palates with its jasmine florals and bright fruity acidity. Which one is better? Front Street Coffee believes that drinking coffee is an extremely subjective matter—rather than debating who comes out on top, it is better to analyze them one by one, from origin terroir, variety characteristics, to processing methods, and then make a judgment based on your own taste preferences. This article will guide you through a complete understanding of the unique qualities of these two coffees, covering producing region background, grade classification, variety differences, brewing parameters, and more. [more…]

Coffee, derived from the Greek word "Kaweh," means "strength and passion." This article systematically traces the journey of coffee from the shepherd's legend to its global spread, explains in detail the characteristics and origins of the three major species—Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica—surveys classic single-origin coffees such as Blue Mountain, Colombia, and Mocha along with more than thirty flavored coffee recipes, introduces the varietal composition of Yunnan coffee, and provides an in-depth explanation of the entire process of coffee cultivation, primary processing, and roasting techniques, as well as the many health benefits and drinking contraindications of coffee. Whether you are a beginner just starting out or a seasoned enthusiast, you can gain practical knowledge and tasting inspiration from it. [more…]

Household super-automatic coffee machines, with their simple and convenient operation, allow you to effortlessly grind coffee beans and brew a rich, aromatic cup of coffee with just one press of a button, making them highly popular in homes and offices. For those who have just gotten a household super-automatic coffee machine, you may be eager to try it out as soon as you receive it. [more…]

As everyone knows, Front Street Coffee mainly sells beans and has shops on both Taobao and Tmall, so friends who can't make it to the store often place orders online. Then some friends noticed that the labels on Front Street Coffee's beans don't indicate the roast level of the coffee beans, so they reported that after receiving them, they didn't know how to identify [more…]

As is well known, Front Street primarily sells coffee beans and has shops on both Taobao and Tmall, so friends who can't make it to the physical store often place orders online. Some of them then noticed that Front Street's bean labels don't indicate the roast level of the coffee beans, and they reported that once they receive the beans, they don't know how to identify [more…]