Recently, multiple consecutive earthquakes have occurred in the Awash Fentale area of the Oromia Region in Ethiopia, raising concerns among local residents and those in the coffee industry. This area is not only close to the capital, Addis Ababa, but also adjacent to the important coffee-producing region of Harar, and the earthquakes may affect the soil and coffee yields. At the same time, the risk of damage to road infrastructure, combined with port congestion caused by the Red Sea crisis, may further disrupt Ethiopia's coffee export transportation. In addition, the conflict in the north and the continued depreciation of the exchange rate remain major challenges facing the country's coffee industry, with planting costs constantly rising and the coffee price cap being raised again. This article will review the earthquake developments and their potential impact on the coffee supply chain. [more…]

Recently, the Ethiopian Investment Commission signed a subcontractor developer agreement with the Chinese enterprise CKIIG to develop 20 hectares of land in the Gada Special Economic Zone, with a total investment of 50 million USD (about 6 billion birr). The project focuses on areas such as coffee processing and is expected to enhance Ethiopia's coffee processing technology and export competitiveness. However, Ethiopia currently faces multiple challenges, including armed conflict, kidnapping incidents, earthquakes, and currency depreciation, causing coffee industry costs to keep rising. Front Street Coffee will continue to follow developments in the origin and bring frontline news to coffee lovers. [more…]

Vietnam's core coffee-producing region—Kon Plong District in Kon Tum Province—recorded 32 earthquakes within just 24 hours, the strongest reaching magnitude 5.0, triggering tremors across the Central Highlands, several surrounding provinces, and even parts of Thailand. Experts say the quakes are linked to reservoir-induced activity and may continue in the future. As a key part of Vietnam's Central Highlands coffee belt, Kon Tum Province and neighboring provinces account for about 70% of the country's robusta coffee output. The earthquakes could cause farmland subsidence, fluctuations in groundwater levels, and shortages of irrigation water. Combined with this year's severe drought and shrinking cultivation area, the risk of a decline in Vietnam's coffee production is further intensifying. Front Street Coffee will continue to monitor developments in the producing region and their impact on the coffee market. [more…]

Recently, several major coffee-producing regions in Indonesia have been hit by natural disasters. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck near Bandung in West Java on the island of Java, causing injuries and damage to homes; the Aceh region in northern Sumatra was hit by heavy rain and strong winds, and with the coffee harvest season underway, harvesting work has been disrupted. At the same time, several provinces are also facing ongoing drought, and coffee production may decline further. This article summarizes the disaster situations in various areas and their impact on Indonesia's coffee industry. [more…]

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is renowned for its balanced and elegant flavor, but since October 2020, Jamaica has been hit by a series of natural disasters including tropical storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanic ash, causing road damage in the Blue Mountain coffee growing region and extensive cherry drop, with Coney Dell Estate expected to see yield losses of over 50%. This article will review the impact of these disasters, introduce the growing environment of Blue Mountain coffee and the characteristics of the Typica variety, and share in detail the brewing parameters and flavor profiles of two pour-over methods recommended by Front Street Coffee—the KONO dripper and the cloth filter—to help coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of the current situation and brewing key points of Blue Mountain coffee. [more…]

Guatemala, with its high-altitude volcanic terrain and more than three hundred microclimates, nurtures specialty coffee renowned worldwide. This article takes you into Rose Estate in the Huehuetenango region to learn about its century-long history and the distinctive rose flavor of its washed Geisha beans, while also outlining Guatemala's eight major producing regions, main varieties, and washed processing methods. You will also see Front Street Coffee's roasting approach for Guatemalan beans and V60 three-pour brewing parameters, as well as a flavor comparison between two beans, Huehuetenango and Flor del Café. Whether you are a beginner just getting started or a seasoned enthusiast, you will find practical references here. [more…]

In the high-altitude mountains of northwestern Guatemala, the Huehuetenango region nurtures many specialty coffees with its unique terroir. Among them, Finca Las Rosas has been growing coffee since 1915. After a century of inheritance, it is famous for its washed Geisha and has twice been selected for the C.O.E winners' list. This article will explore in depth whether the Geisha coffee from this estate carries rose flavors, and analyze the regional characteristics, varieties, and processing methods of Guatemalan coffee. At the same time, Front Street Coffee's Huehuetenango and Flor del Café, as everyday beans, will also provide coffee lovers with practical brewing suggestions and flavor references. [more…]

This article provides an in-depth introduction to the Geisha washed coffee from Rose Estate in the Huehuetenango region of Guatemala, covering the estate's century-long history, its COE award experience, and the flavor characteristics of the Geisha variety, while also systematically outlining Guatemala's eight major coffee regions, coffee varieties, and the washed processing method. It also shares Front Street Coffee's roasting approach and V60 brewing parameters for two beans, Huehuetenango and Flor de Guatemala, offering coffee enthusiasts a complete reference from origin to cup. [more…]

The Himalayas are not only a symbol of inspiration and purity, but also nurture teas of exceptional flavor. Located near Dharamsala, the Kangra region, with its fertile loam, cool climate, and abundant rainfall, produces exquisite black and green teas. Kangra tea got its start in the mid-19th century, was once exported as far as Kabul and Central Asia, and won awards in London and Amsterdam. Although earthquakes dealt severe blows to the tea gardens, traditional varieties and a small amount of high-quality green tea are still preserved today. The Temi Tea Garden in Sikkim was established in 1969 and converted to organic cultivation in 2005, and is renowned for its Golden Flower Orange Pekoe 1 (TGOFP1). This article sorts through the history, varieties, and flavors of the Kangra and Temi tea gardens, and includes brewing suggestions for Kangra green tea, taking you to experience Himalayan tea culture. [more…]

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee has long been regarded as a treasure of the coffee world, winning the favor of countless enthusiasts with its scarce production and outstanding flavor. However, Jamaica's main coffee-growing regions have recently suffered multiple blows including heavy rains and earthquakes, with frequent mudslides and landslides, causing the new season's coffee bean production to be expected to decline by about 25% compared with the same period last year. Facing this severe situation, the Jamaican government has announced that it will invest billions of dollars to launch a crop recovery and establishment plan, aiming to revive the production of Blue Mountain and High Mountain coffee varieties within five years, benefiting more than 5,000 coffee growers. This article will sort out the causes of this production reduction, its impact, and the specific contents of the official revival measures. [more…]

Costa Rican coffee is famous for honey processing, but honey processing does not mean adding honey—it is a method that retains the mucilage layer. Its predecessor was Brazil's pulped natural process, which Costa Rica borrowed, improved, and brought to prominence. This article systematically traces the development and flavor characteristics of Costa Rican honey processing, from the origins of honey processing, the invention of the mucilage remover, its promotion after the 2008 earthquake, and the subdivision into black, red, yellow, and white honey, to Front Street Coffee's introduction of the honey-processed Geisha from Finca San Isidro Labrador in the Tarrazú region, giving you an in-depth understanding of the ins and outs of this processing method. [more…]

Guatemalan coffee has always been renowned for its rich elegance, and the Antigua region is the crown jewel among them. Surrounded by three active volcanoes, its volcanic soil is rich in nitrogen, creating the distinctive smoky and charcoal-roasted flavors of Antigua coffee. This article will take you deep into the taste characteristics of Antigua coffee—from its rich, smooth chocolate sweetness to its captivating tobacco aroma, and on to its stunning performance when paired with chocolate. We will also trace the history of how coffee was introduced to Guatemala, analyze the flavor differences among its eight major producing regions, and recommend Front Street Coffee's classic Antigua bean. Whether you are a pour-over enthusiast or an espresso player, this article will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of this noble bean known as "cigarette coffee." [more…]

Costa Rican coffee is famous for its prominent sweetness, which is closely related to its widespread use of the honey process. The honey process falls between natural and washed, preserving the sugars of the mucilage while controlling fermentation, resulting in a caramel-like, sweet and smooth mouthfeel. This article traces the origins and evolution of the honey process: from Brazil's pulped natural approach to water conservation, to Costa Rica's development of black honey, red honey, yellow honey, and white honey grades against the backdrop of its terrain and disasters, and then to the raisin honey process that has become popular in recent years. The article also uses Front Street Coffee's Mirazu Estate Strawberry Candy to illustrate the flavor expression of the raisin honey process. [more…]

Is Guatemalan Geisha coffee actually good? How does it differ from Panamanian Geisha? Starting from Guatemala's volcanic terrain and high-altitude growing environment, this article systematically reviews the country's eight major coffee-producing regions, its main coffee varieties (Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, and Catuai), and the washed processing method, with a focus on interpreting the flavor profiles of two representative beans: Huehuetenango and Flor del Cafe. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will share its medium-light roasting approach and V60 three-pour brewing parameters to help coffee lovers recreate a cup of Guatemalan coffee with rich layers and balanced acidity and sweetness at home. [more…]

Guatemalan Antigua coffee is known as "cigarette coffee" and is a representative of the Bourbon variety with bright acidity and mellow aroma. This article will take you deep into the historical stories of the Antigua production region, its volcanic geographic advantages, the origins of Maya culture and coffee, and its unique taste—rich, silky, with tobacco and charcoal-roasted flavors. From the production environment to flavor characteristics, from historical changes to its position in the international market, this is a comprehensive analysis of this specialty coffee hailed as the "most perfect coffee bean," suitable for every enthusiast who loves exploring coffee flavors. [more…]

Peru, a South American coffee-producing country, has recently been hit by a series of natural disasters and environmental crises. The Sabancaya volcano in the south has entered an orange alert level, and ash from frequent eruptions is severely affecting nearby farms and pastures; meanwhile, the provinces of Huancavelica and Cusco have been declared in a state of environmental emergency due to heavy metal mercury contamination. Both regions have coffee cultivation, and mercury contamination not only inhibits crop growth and reduces agricultural product quality, but may also trigger labor shortages. The Peruvian government has already launched response measures, but concerns within the industry about coffee production and quality are rising. [more…]

Guatemalan Antigua coffee is celebrated as one of the world's top coffees, and its unique volcanic terrain and climate conditions produce a rich, full-bodied cup with tobacco notes. This article will guide you through the historical origins of the Antigua region, how its geography influences coffee quality, and take a deep dive into the flavor characteristics and tasting points of La Minita Estate's Flower Goddess coffee beans. We'll also recommend related products from the Front Street Coffee brand, making this a thorough exploration of every aspect of this classic coffee for enthusiasts. [more…]

Guatemala, as one of the world's top coffee-producing countries, nurtures specialty coffees with unique flavors thanks to its high-altitude volcanic terrain. Among them, the Antigua region is particularly famous, and its coffee is known for its rich body, complex layers, and distinctive tobacco note, earning it the nickname "cigarette coffee." This article will guide you through the historical origins of Guatemalan coffee, the characteristics of its seven major producing regions, and the flavor profile of classic Antigua coffee, while also discussing whether the presence of a tobacco note is normal. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will recommend Guatemalan specialty beans worth trying, helping you gain a deeper appreciation of the captivating charm of this coffee aristocrat. [more…]

Guatemalan coffee is renowned worldwide for its distinctive volcanic smokiness and rich flavor, and the Antigua region in particular is hailed as a representative of the world's finest coffee. This article traces in depth the historical origins and growing environment of Antigua coffee, analyzes the causes of its tobacco and charcoal-roasted notes, and provides a detailed introduction to the varietal characteristics of La Minita Estate's Floral God coffee, its washed processing method, and Front Street Coffee's roasting and brewing recommendations. From Mayan civilization to modern specialty coffee, from the volcanic heartland to the flavors in your cup, this takes you on a comprehensive journey into the unique charm of this Central American coffee treasure. [more…]

A global digital accident triggered by a Microsoft 365 service outage caused devices running Windows systems to collectively display the "blue screen of death," paralyzing multiple industries including aviation, finance, and education. As a well-known brand affected, Starbucks saw its point-of-sale systems fail in a large number of stores across the United States and Canada, forcing mobile ordering and payment functions to be suspended, with some stores even closing outright or offering customers free drinks. Some Starbucks stores in China were likewise not spared, as computer failures forced staff to return to the "handwritten cup era," manually marking requests after orders were placed through Feikua. Microsoft later announced that the root problem had been fixed, but residual effects continued. This article reviews the specific impact of the incident on Starbucks and how stores responded. [more…]