For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style) For more specialty coffee beans, please add the personal WeChat of Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex Starbucks has opened Shanghai's first intangible cultural heritage concept store in Shenyu Li at the Suhewan Mixc World in Jing'an, Shanghai, which began trial operation on September 30. This store combines Yunnan ethnic minority craftsmanship with the design concept of Shanghai qipao, creating a unique venue that serves both as a third place and as an intangible cultural heritage art exhibition space. The store offers Reserve Yunnan coffee beans and incorporates interactive experiences such as siphon coffee brewing. This move continues Starbucks' public welfare trajectory since the "Rural Mothers Acceleration Plan" in 2020 and also echoes the current trend of guochao consumption. [more…]

A coffee shop in Dongyang, Zhejiang, has combined the local traditional intangible cultural heritage food "boy's urine eggs" with Americano coffee to launch "boy's urine egg Americano," which quickly went viral on short video platforms, with weekend daily sales reaching up to a hundred cups. While this bizarre beverage attracts curious people to check in, it has also sparked widespread controversy due to the peculiarity of its ingredients. The Dongyang Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center confirmed that boy's urine eggs are indeed a municipal-level intangible cultural heritage, but medical professionals point out that they have no value in modern nutrition science and pose hygiene risks. Currently, the shop has stopped selling this beverage due to public pressure, and staff said customers who want to try it need to bring their own boy's urine eggs. [more…]

A small cup of espresso carries Italy's profound cultural heritage and the marks of change from the industrial age. From the birth of steam-powered coffee machines at the end of the 19th century, to the iterative upgrades of spring piston and semi-automatic espresso machines in the 20th century, and then to today's globally popular café culture, espresso has gone through more than a century of development. At the same time, Italy has been working since 2016 to seek intangible cultural heritage status for espresso, and it has now finally entered UNESCO's formal review process. This article will take you through the history of the development of the espresso machine and bring you the latest progress on its heritage application. [more…]

It is standard practice for tea beverage brands to launch Longjing series new products in spring, but Gu Ming and Nayuki sparked heated discussion by choosing the same West Lake Longjing intangible cultural heritage inheritor, Fan Shenghua. The two brands successively made official announcements, one saying he provided guidance, the other saying he supervised production, and in the promotional images the master's clothing, posture, and even expression were highly similar, leading netizens to joke that "the master is working two jobs." Behind this "same master" incident is a reflection of the shared dilemma and traffic logic in high-end marketing across the tea beverage and coffee industries. [more…]

Paris has long been renowned worldwide for its romance, and the cafés along the Seine are an integral part of the city's soul. Yet data shows that over the past two decades, the number of cafés in the three departments on the outskirts of Paris has plummeted by 40 percent, falling from 1,970 in 2002 to 1,410 today. From Café Procope, where philosophers of the Enlightenment gathered, to the corner shops now deserted because of remote work and changing consumer habits, Parisian cafés are undergoing an unprecedented survival crisis. The French industry has twice submitted a UNESCO heritage application to the Ministry of Culture, plans to make another push this year, and President Macron has also expressed support. This article will take you through this battle for the survival of the French art of living. [more…]

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Culture recently approved grants for 20 coffee research projects, covering three major directions: the history of coffee in the Arabian Peninsula, the intangible cultural heritage of Saudi coffee, and the enhancement of cultivation, production, and competitiveness. This initiative, jointly launched by the Ministry of Culture and the Saudi Coffee Company, is part of the Quality of Life Program under Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia is attempting to reduce its dependence on the oil economy by expanding the coffee industry. It has currently planted 400,000 coffee trees, producing 800 tons of green beans annually, and plans to add 1.2 million more by 2026. Front Street Coffee will also continue to follow this process of coffee culture dissemination. [more…]

Guatemalan Antigua coffee is renowned worldwide for its balanced fruity acidity, rich spicy aroma, and signature smoky flavor. Behind this cup of coffee lies a tapestry woven from the ancient heritage of Mayan civilization, the rise and fall of Spanish colonial history, and the unique terroir bestowed by volcanic soil. From the diligent cultivation of the indigenous people to the admiration of today's international coffee connoisseurs, Antigua coffee carries a story spanning hundreds of years. This article will guide you through an in-depth understanding of Antigua coffee's flavor characteristics, historical origins, and its unique position in the global coffee landscape. [more…]

Located near the Barú Volcano in Boquete, Panama, Elida Estate was founded by Robert Lamastus in 1918 and named after his wife. For over a century, the Lamastus family has passed down their passion for coffee from generation to generation, and it is now in the hands of the fourth generation, with the addition of El Burro Estate as the family's fifth farm. The Elida Natural Geisha roasted by Front Street Coffee shows in cupping a rich layering of pomegranate, peach, white florals, grape, and black tea, with extremely high sweetness, rounded acidity, a silky mouthfeel, and a pronounced tea-like finish. This article will take you through the historical trajectory and flavor expression of this legendary estate. [more…]

Bourbon Pointu is an extremely rare naturally low-caffeine variety in the coffee world, with a caffeine content of only about 0.6%, yet its flavor is renowned for being balanced, clean, and gentle. The Colombian Las Nubes Estate Bourbon Pointu launched by Front Street Coffee comes from the Yacuanquer Valley and was transplanted under the direction of Camilo Merizalde, the source of multiple WBC champion beans, with an annual output of only a few tons. This article will introduce in detail the origin background of this bean, its processing and roasting methods, brewing suggestions, and the complete flavor performance from dry aroma to sweet aftertaste, taking you to experience its unique charm that is restrained yet full of substance. [more…]

Hartmann Estate is a century-old family coffee estate in the Boquete region of Panama, and its legendary story and exceptional quality have drawn great attention from coffee lovers. The estate is located in the city of Chiriquí, in the province of Chiriquí, Santa Clara, right next to Barú Volcano, the highest in Central America, at an elevation of up to 3,300 meters. From founder Alois Stras Hartmann to the current fifth-generation family members, the estate has always adhered to scientific cupping and meticulous management. This article will introduce you to the historical origins and processing methods of Hartmann Estate, and provide a detailed analysis of the flavor characteristics of its Black Honey, Washed, Honey Process, and Wine Process coffees. At the same time, Front Street Coffee also recommends related high-quality green beans for you. [more…]

Panama coffee is not only Geisha. The Boquete production area, located on the slopes of the Baru Volcano, nurtures high-quality coffee that is clean and refreshing with subtle floral notes, thanks to its high altitude, shade from primary forests, and careful hand sorting. The Boquete beans obtained by Front Street Coffee this time had an extremely low defect rate—only about 10 defective beans were sorted out from 3 kilograms, making the bean appearance rare. Through tests at different roast levels, 40 seconds past first crack presents soft acidity, walnut and nutty aromas, and a creamy chocolate finish, while the beginning of second crack is more suitable for those who do not prefer acidity. This article will provide an in-depth introduction to the terroir of the Boquete production area and focus on the Casa Ruiz cooperative, founded in 1979—this well-known estate alliance of the Baru Volcano region, passed down through three generations, how, while adhering to environmental friendliness and traditional varieties, it achieves its consistently winning quality in Best of Panama through rigorous grading and selection. [more…]

Yirgacheffe is the starting point for many pour-over enthusiasts entering the world of specialty coffee, and the Worka production area and its natural-process lots often present a unique flavor woven from sweet aromas and tea-like notes. This article begins with the geographical and administrative background, sorting out the origin of the name Yirgacheffe, the influence of high altitude on flavor, and the status of sub-production areas such as Wenago, Kochere, and Gelena Abaya after the adjustment of Ethiopia's trading and grading system in 2009. It also introduces the characteristics of cooperatives such as Gotiti, Konga, Worka, Hafursa, and Idido, with emphasis on the process by which Gotiti became independent from the Worka cooperative, while retaining information on Front Street Coffee Yirgacheffe's cost-effectiveness as an affordable substitute for Geisha, as well as the flavor description of Front Street Coffee Gotiti washed beans. [more…]

Although Oceania is the smallest continent by land area, its unique volcanic island terrain and diverse climate have given rise to Papua New Guinea coffee, known as the "Little Blue Mountain." From trial plantings in the late 19th century, to the introduction of Typica from Jamaica's Blue Mountain in 1931, and then to the unexpected development opportunity brought by Brazil's frost in 1975, Papua New Guinea coffee gradually moved toward scale and specialty production. This article focuses on the five highland provinces in the central region, with particular attention to the Kimel Estate in the Eastern Highlands Province—a private cooperative owned by smallholder farmers of the Opais people, equipped with a washed-processing facility and stable quality control, combining terroir advantages with cultural character. At the same time, the article also mentions the Sigri Estate Bird of Paradise coffee beans recommended by Front Street Coffee, offering a flavor reference for coffee enthusiasts. [more…]

Nestled in the mountain town of Kurseong, where a World Heritage toy train passes through, the Goomtee Tea Estate nurtures this premium Indian single-origin summer harvest black tea at an altitude of 4,000 feet. The liquor is a bright amber, with aromas interweaving apricot, plum, pomelo, and soft oak notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, rich and sweet, with layers of Mirabelle plum and apricot unfolding, accented by grapefruit and musk, and a velvety oak-toned finish. The dry leaves exude aromas of hazelnut, caramel, and cedar blended with ripe rambutan and almond nougat; the wet leaves hint at damp wood, vegetation, and peach. Paired with scones, croissants, or buttered toast, it makes for an unforgettable summer black tea experience. In this issue, Front Street Coffee will take you deep into this iconic tea estate, offering a complete interpretation of this Darjeeling summer harvest black tea's unique charm—from liquor, aroma, and appearance to food pairing—and sharing practical information for a Goomtee tea tourism getaway. [more…]

In the Boquete production region of Panama, there is a coffee estate about to celebrate its centennial—El Burro Estate. Founded in 1925 by French immigrant Aristides Boutet, it now belongs to the Lamastus family and shares the same lineage as the famous Elida Estate. El Burro Estate enjoys the fertile soil and unique microclimate brought by Baru Volcano, providing excellent growing conditions for varieties such as Geisha. This article will take you through the history and terroir advantages of El Burro Estate, and guide you in tasting the sun-dried Geisha from Front Street, experiencing the captivating flavors of green grapes, apricots, and floral notes. [more…]

Recently, a netizen posted online claiming to have found a cockroach in a can of Guangdong-style pineapple beer, an old domestic brand beverage purchased during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the related photos quickly sparked widespread attention. The poster said that when pouring it out to drink that day, they noticed a foreign object resembling a cockroach larva at the can opening, and subsequently blurred the image as required by the platform. Many netizens in the comments expressed shock and even strong discomfort. Some netizens explained that the foreign object in the picture might be a cockroach egg capsule, possibly caused by cockroaches crawling in and laying eggs during storage. This Guangdong national drink, founded in 1934, carries the childhood memories of several generations, and this incident has deeply saddened many consumers. The manufacturer responded that the production process is strictly hygienic, the possibility of foreign objects is extremely low, and no complaint had been received through official channels. The truth of the incident remains to be verified, but food safety, as a bottom-line issue, has once again sounded the alarm of a trust crisis for an old brand. [more…]

The Origami dripper has remained a hot topic in the coffee world in recent years. Many people were initially drawn to it by its appearance, but after actually using it, they discovered that it is no mere "vase." This dripper's crease design combines flow guidance with aesthetics, and its 20 evenly spaced creases give it a distinct Nordic minimalist style. Another key reason for its ongoing popularity is its multiple appearances at the World Coffee Brewing Championship—Du Jianing in 2019 and Carlos in 2023 both won the title using it. Even more practical is that the Origami supports both conical and cake filters, allowing users to switch between fast-paced and slow-paced brewing to highlight aroma layering or a rich, full-bodied taste, respectively. Based on Front Street Coffee's actual test data, this article compares the flavor differences under the two types of filters and analyzes the real reason for its enduring popularity. [more…]

In the coffee landscape of Asia, Yemen occupies a historical position that cannot be overlooked. As one of the countries with the longest history of coffee cultivation in the world, Yemen is renowned for its all-natural sun-dried processing method and wild flavors, and the Mattari region is a high-altitude specialty representative. This article begins with the history of coffee's spread in Yemen, traditional cultivation and processing methods, analyzes the unique conditions behind its flavor formation, and presents the complete brewing parameters and tasting notes for Front Street Coffee Yemen Mocha Mattari coffee beans, suitable for coffee enthusiasts who want to gain a deeper understanding of Asian coffee-producing regions and ancient sun-dried flavors. [more…]

The Boquete region of Panama is famous for the Geisha from Hacienda La Esmeralda, but it is not only about high-priced Geisha. Butterfly coffee beans are a blend of three varieties—Geisha, Caturra, and Catuai—with Geisha accounting for about 40%. They offer the distinct floral and fruity notes of Geisha while being a more affordable, high-value specialty coffee. This article covers Butterfly's regional background, variety origins, processing methods, cupping flavors, and Front Street Coffee's roasting and brewing approach. It is suitable for coffee lovers who want to enjoy Geisha-style flavors in daily life while staying within budget. [more…]

National drink Coconut Palm Coconut Juice breaks its 34-year tradition of "no collaboration with outside parties" for the first time, launching a dream crossover with Luckin Coffee. One is a time-honored coconut juice brand whose formula and packaging have remained unchanged for decades, while the other is a chain coffee brand that sparked the coconut latte craze. This collaboration is both driven by market trends and an attempt by an old brand to seek a new wave of attention. The co-branded cup sleeves continue Coconut Palm's iconic color-block layout style. Although the new products will not officially launch until April 11, some stores have already begun using the co-branded cup sleeves for预热. Can this collaboration replicate the sales miracle of the coconut line? And why did Coconut Palm Coconut Juice choose to "break out of its circle" at this moment? This article will take you through the development history of Coconut Palm and analyze the background and highlights of this collaboration. [more…]