The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recently announced that it will launch a brand-new SCA skills certificate system, gradually replacing the current SCA coffee certificates. The application deadline for the current Black Certificate (100-point certificate) is December 31, 2023, and the new certification will be fully implemented starting in 2024. The new system is divided into four major certification tracks, each requiring completion of three foundational courses—Coffee Skills, Sustainability, and Technology—before advancing to the corresponding higher-level study, completely abandoning the credit system. For professionals currently preparing for or planning to obtain the old Black Certificate, this year is the final window of opportunity. [more…]

Specialty coffee is increasingly becoming part of daily life, and becoming a barista or opening a small café has become a dream for many. In an era when everyone can do pour-over, getting certified seems to have become the preferred path to stand out. But is a barista certificate really worth it? Behind the high training fees, can the course content truly improve oneself? This article examines the actual usefulness of certification, the necessity of certification before applying for jobs or starting a business, the internationally authoritative certification systems (SCA, Q-Grader), and the reform of domestic vocational qualifications, sorting through the value and applicable scenarios of barista certificates one by one. Whether you are a newcomer just entering the industry or an aspiring owner preparing to open a shop, you can find rational reference here. At the end of the article, Front Street Coffee's contact information is also included for further discussion. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is produced in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica at elevations between 910 and 1,700 meters. The variety is Typica, and it is known for its balanced acidity, sweetness, and bitterness, full and solid body, long-lasting sweet aftertaste, and absence of burnt bitterness. Because annual production is limited, authentic Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee beans in China usually sell for 150 to 400 yuan (100 to 200 grams), while products labeled "Blue Mountain flavor" or "Blue Mountain blend" are not true Blue Mountain coffee. This article systematically introduces the methods baristas use to identify authentic Blue Mountain No. 1 from perspectives such as the wooden barrel and certificate, bean size and uniformity, appearance characteristics, and raw bean color. It also compares the flavor performance of washed and natural processing methods and shares Front Street Coffee's brewing parameters and techniques to help enthusiasts build a clear identification framework. [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…]

For friends with zero foundational knowledge who want to step into the specialty coffee field, the SCA education system is a progressive, scientific, and systematic learning path. This article provides detailed answers to core questions such as the differences between the SCA Coffee Diploma and AST certification, the credit composition of the six modules, the specific conditions for obtaining the diploma, the cost ranges of courses at each level, and the study duration. It will also explain the time arrangements and application restrictions for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses, helping coffee enthusiasts who are interested clarify the complete route from entry to advancement. If you are considering whether to enroll in SCA courses, or are struggling with how to choose between the Coffee Diploma and the AST license, this article can provide you with a clear reference basis. [more…]

As coffee culture gains increasing popularity in China, more and more people are pursuing the profession of barista. A barista is not only a maker of beverages, but also a practitioner of life aesthetics and craftsmanship. However, faced with a dazzling array of international certification systems, many practitioners often feel confused: which authoritative coffee qualification certificates are actually worth obtaining? This article systematically reviews several major international coffee certification bodies currently in the mainstream—including the American SCAA, the European SCAE, the British City & Guilds, and the Italian IIAC—along with their corresponding courses and qualification requirements, to help baristas clarify their career advancement paths and find a certification direction that suits them. [more…]

2022 has passed in the blink of an eye, yet the coffee industry's momentum keeps rising, and many professionals are beginning to consider whether they should jump in. The backend has received a large number of inquiries about switching careers to coffee, and the writer has sorted out the three most frequently asked questions: Should you go be a coffee apprentice? Should you get certified before entering the industry? Should you quit your current job and step into the coffee track? This article combines the current state of the industry to analyze, one by one, the many sides of the barista profession—from the two paths of an apprentice, to the real value of certificates, to the financial and opportunity costs that a career change requires—helping you see the real threshold beyond your enthusiasm. At the same time, the article also retains related recommendation information for brands such as Front Street Coffee, for coffee lovers' reference. [more…]

Wanting to open a coffee shop—having the funds in place is only the first step. What really gives many entrepreneurs a headache is the complicated and cumbersome licensing procedures. From business registration and food business permits, to health, tax, and fire safety, and then to the special approvals for alcohol and roasted coffee, every single item determines whether the shop can operate legally. This article will systematically sort out the various certificates and application processes required to open a coffee shop, helping you clarify your thinking and avoid detours. At the same time, we will also discuss practical points such as site selection strategy, startup capital estimation, and equipment procurement. At the end of the article, Front Street Coffee's contact information is attached; you are welcome to exchange ideas on specialty coffee bean selection and shop-opening experience. [more…]

Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is renowned as one of the world's top coffees, with its acidity, sweetness, body, and bitterness in balanced harmony, a rich aroma, and a smooth entry. The authentic Blue Mountain production area is limited in size and its output is scarce, and the so-called Blue Mountain coffee circulating on the market is a mix of genuine and fake. This article will systematically sort through multiple dimensions including the origin divisions of Blue Mountain coffee, grade classifications, flavor characteristics, brewing parameters, authenticity identification methods, and international market conditions, to help coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of this legendary coffee, and will also include Front Street Coffee's recommendations and certification information. [more…]

With its balanced, full-bodied, and steady taste, Blue Mountain coffee has remained a classic choice in the hearts of seasoned coffee lovers for decades. This article will give you a comprehensive understanding of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee's origin conditions, the official CIB grading standards, how to identify authentic products, and the unique charm of the Clifton Estate Blue Mountain No. 1 selected by Front Street Coffee. From altitude classification to wooden barrel export certificates, from the Typica variety to its flavor performance in the cup, this one article will help you understand this legendary bean known as the "Emperor of Coffee." [more…]

Why has Blue Mountain coffee become a classic among classics? This article takes you into Jamaica's Blue Mountain range to learn about its origin environment, growing conditions, grade classifications, and how to identify the authentic product. Front Street Coffee selects Blue Mountain No. 1 from Clifton Estate, using a medium-dark roast to present a balanced flavor of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and subtle fruit acidity. From altitude restrictions to wooden barrel export certificates, read this one article to understand the full picture of Blue Mountain coffee. [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…]

Faced with the bewildering array of coffee certificates on the market, many people who want to systematically study coffee often feel at a loss where to begin. To sort out the differences among these courses and certificates, the key is to trace back to the issuing bodies. At present, the three major authoritative institutions internationally that have established scientific coffee teaching systems and issue certificates are SCAA, SCAE, and CQI. This article will break down the course structures and certification logic of these three institutions one by one, and explain the changes brought about after SCAA and SCAE merged into SCA in 2017, while also introducing Q-Grader, a widely known yet often misunderstood quality assessment qualification, to help coffee enthusiasts find the learning path best suited to them. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee, as a classic representative in the coffee world, has continued to win the favor of coffee lovers for decades with its balanced, rich, and solid flavor characteristics. However, products marketed under the banner of "Blue Mountain flavor" keep emerging on the market. How exactly is authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee defined? What are the intricacies of its origin, growing region conditions, grading classification, and identification methods? This article will systematically sort out the core knowledge of Blue Mountain coffee, from the geographical environment of the Blue Mountain range to the CIB (Jamaica Industry Board) grading standards, from barrel export certificates to daily brewing parameters, and introduce Front Street Coffee's practices in bean selection and production, helping readers build a complete understanding of this classic coffee. [more…]

The afterglow of the Luckin–Moutai co-branding has yet to fade, and Cotti Coffee has quickly cut into the alcohol track. In December 2023, the Moutai Public Welfare Foundation and Cotti jointly established two funds at the Moutai Hotel in Guizhou, and authorized Cotti to exclusively sell Moutai Bu Lao Jiu and Maotan Jiu, donating 10 yuan for every bottle sold. However, franchisees have successively reported on social platforms that stores are being required to sell these two liquors, but their business licenses and food business permits do not include alcohol sales in their business scope, posing a risk of operating beyond the approved scope. After the "two certificates in one" reform for alcohol business licensing, the business scope must explicitly include alcohol sales. Whether Cotti stores can legally sell alcohol has become a hot topic of industry attention. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is hailed as the "Emperor of Coffee," but the market is flooded with a mix of genuine and fake products, making it hard to tell true from false. From the perspective of Front Street Coffee, this article systematically sorts out the historical origins of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, the certified authentic production regions, the green bean grading standards, the characteristics of the Typica variety, and the differences between the two processing methods of washed and natural. At the same time, it explains in detail how to identify genuine Blue Mountain through features such as the CIB certificate and wooden barrel packaging, and includes the roasting curve, cupping report, and brewing parameters of Front Street's washed Blue Mountain, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of the true appearance and value of this top-tier coffee. [more…]

Recently, ChaPanda once again became the focus of public opinion due to food safety issues. On the evening of October 9, the brand's official Weibo posted two statements in succession, responding to the incidents of "using expired raw materials" and "a Ningbo customer complaining about finding a spider in a drink." Regarding the spider incident, ChaPanda said the source of the spider in the video was unknown and difficult to verify, and explained that the 600 yuan compensation was a response made by store employees to settle the matter, but this response did not calm netizens' doubts. A week earlier, ChaPanda had just apologized after a blogger's undercover investigation exposed the use of expired materials with replaced labels. In fact, since the beginning of this year, ChaPanda has been found multiple times in surprise inspections by market regulatory authorities in various places to have issues such as incomplete health certificates and expired raw materials. Although the brand emphasized that it had investigated and rectified stores nationwide, the frequent food safety hazards still make consumers worried. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is hailed as the gentleman of the coffee world, but the market is flooded with products bearing the Blue Mountain name. How can you tell an authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain No. 1? This article systematically lays out the key points for buying and tasting Blue Mountain coffee, from regional regulations and certification documents to variety characteristics and brewing methods. It also introduces the Clifton Estate 1310-meter Blue Mountain beans selected by Front Street Coffee since 2014, analyzing their balanced, clean flavor profile. Whether you are a beginner just getting to know Blue Mountain or a seasoned connoisseur looking to confirm your pour-over parameters, you will find practical guidance here. [more…]

Does working in the coffee industry really require obtaining a certification? This is a question that many coffee professionals and enthusiasts have pondered repeatedly. In recent years, China's coffee market has grown rapidly, with all kinds of training institutions springing up endlessly, and huge disparities in qualifications and fees, leading many people to waste their money. This article focuses on two paths—the SCA Barista certification and the Q-Grader coffee quality grader certification—sorting out their level systems, exam rules, fee ranges, and suitable audiences, to help readers judge whether certification fits their own career plans, while also discussing the practical value of certificates and the importance of subsequent self-improvement. [more…]

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is hailed as one of the finest coffees in the world, with a balanced profile of acidity, sweetness, body, and bitterness, and a fragrant, smooth mouthfeel. However, coffee labeled "Blue Mountain" on the market is not necessarily genuine Blue Mountain beans. This article will guide you through the Blue Mountain coffee growing regions, the No.1, No.2, No.3, and PB grade classification standards, clarify the differences between Blue Mountain coffee, High Mountain coffee, and Jamaica Prime coffee, and share methods for identifying authentic Blue Mountain coffee based on appearance, grinding, aroma, and taste. It also retains Front Street Coffee's brand recommendations and Clifton Farm certification information to help coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of this rare and precious coffee. [more…]