The way coffee is enjoyed in Guangdong is clearly a bit different from elsewhere. When ginger juice, scallion shreds, toasted sesame seeds, and even bird's eye chilies jump into the coffee cup one after another, the boundaries of specialty coffee get redrawn again and again. This article rounds up a batch of coffee specialty drinks with strong Guangdong characteristics, from ginger milk curd with espresso to a kumquat juice and coconut water mashup, and on to ginger-scallion chicken Americano and sesame oil Qingping chicken specialty coffee. Behind these seemingly outrageous combinations actually lies the open-minded, relaxed regional character of Cantonese people. Most of these products are gimmicks to draw traffic, and only a few actually make it to market, but they still show the many possibilities of coffee. The article also keeps relevant recommendation information from Front Street Coffee for coffee lovers' reference. [more…]

Recently, a milk brand in Guangzhou launched a highly talked-about ginger-scallion white cut chicken flavored milk, combining the classic Cantonese dipping sauce flavor with milk, and it quickly sold out. Front Street Coffee also got its hands on this quirky product and tried using it to make a latte. This article documents the experiment in detail: two beans were chosen, Front Street Classic Blend and Strawberry Candy·Espresso, extracted as espresso at 20g dose, 1:2 coffee-to-liquid ratio, and 30 seconds. A 1:4 coffee-to-milk ratio was tested first, and the coffee flavor was found to be completely masked, with a heavy, cloying mouthfeel. Then it was improved to a 1:3:1 ratio of espresso, ginger-scallion chicken milk, and fresh milk, and the result actually tasted better than the milk itself, with the two beans showing different expressions of balanced richness and light sweet-tartness respectively. But the overall flavor was too unique, and most people would find it hard to accept, so Front Street recommends trying it with caution. [more…]

In Guangdong, chicken is the undisputed star of the dining table—a single phrase, "no chicken, no feast," says it all. But can you imagine? Guangdong's baristas have actually poured ginger-scallion chicken, coconut chicken, sesame oil Qingping chicken, and even sausage and roast duck right into coffee cups. From ginger juice with cream to mimic the oily texture of chicken skin, to the essence of coconut chicken hot pot condensed into a single specialty drink, to sesame oil and vodka colliding to create the aroma of ginger-scallion poached chicken, these wildly imaginative creative coffees are upending people's understanding of coffee. This article takes you through tasting these "so weird you want to try them" Cantonese specialty drinks one by one, to feel the wondrous sparks struck by the collision of coffee and Cantonese cuisine. For more specialty coffee bean news, welcome to follow Coffee Workshop and Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Coffee has long become part of everyday life for the general public, yet in recent years all kinds of "novel" pairings have emerged one after another, constantly refreshing people's understanding of this beverage. Recently, a "scallion latte" appeared on a CCTV livestream, and after tasting it, the host and guest bluntly said it was "like vegetables fell into the coffee" and that they "tasted a white scallion aroma," quickly sparking heated discussion. From flower tea coffee and fruit coffee to special blends inspired by dishes such as roast goose, white cut chicken, aged vinegar, and fish mint, coffee shop owners have practically moved the entire Chinese menu into coffee cups. Novel flavors can certainly win momentary attention, but coffee ultimately must be held to the bottom line of tasting good. This article will take you through these wildly imaginative special blends and explore the consumer logic behind novelty coffee along with recommendations from the Front Street brand. [more…]

Recently, a coffee with a unique design has gone viral on social media: perched atop the drink in the cup is a lifelike "white cut chicken" decoration, with chicken skin texture so detailed it's astonishing. When espresso is poured over it, the visual effect instantly transforms from white cut chicken to soy sauce chicken, sparking lively discussion among netizens. This is actually a creative decoration made by the coffee shop using corn panna cotta, available to customers for just 5 yuan with any drink purchase. Due to the large number of people wanting to take photos, it often sells out during the afternoon rush. Is this drink just a gimmick or a creative highlight? Let's find out. [more…]

Cantonese people's beloved white cut chicken has actually been turned into a cup of coffee? Recently, a video of "white cut chicken coffee" quickly went viral online, sparking heated discussion among many netizens. This drink, which mixes chicken, ginger, scallions, and garlic with milk and espresso, comes from an autism charity coffee shop in Guangzhou. It was originally an impromptu idea created during filming by employees and an autistic barista, intended to draw public attention to the autistic community in a lighthearted way. However, as the video was maliciously edited and widely circulated, criticism and abuse escalated continuously, deeply affecting the shop and the barista, who ultimately had to delete the original video. This article will reconstruct the course of events, explore the story and reflections behind this cup of coffee, and also recommend high-quality coffee products from the Front Street brand for coffee lovers. [more…]

In recent years, Heytea has continuously pushed the boundaries of tea drinks, from cross-brand collaborations to incorporating each city's signature foods into beverages and baked goods, launching a series of unexpectedly creative limited-edition products. Shenzhen's coconut chicken hot pot, Guangzhou's rice roll cake, Changsha's mini clay pot bubble rice wine, Chengdu's Sichuan spicy fairy dew… each one precisely captures the taste memories of local people. These products are not only wildly imaginative but also build emotional resonance by awakening shared city memories. This article will comprehensively review the limited-edition items Heytea has launched in various cities and explore the communication logic and secrets behind its "neglecting its proper business." [more…]

The chain chicken soup brand Laoxiangji unexpectedly went viral online due to a post apologizing to Starbucks. After the incident, Starbucks not only did not blame them, but also expressed concern about whether Laoxiangji employees had been burned by hot drinks. This interaction sparked heated discussions among netizens, who eagerly urged the two brands to collaborate on creative products such as chicken soup cold brew and chicken soup Americano. Laoxiangji then visited in person to apologize, bringing a handwritten apology letter and free chicken soup vouchers, and their sincere attitude won widespread praise. This article will provide a complete overview of the incident, the public relations strategies of both sides, and the amusing reactions of netizens, while also presenting professional content related to the coffee industry and product information from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Blue Bottle Coffee's third store in mainland China has officially opened in Zhangyuan, Shanghai, continuing its location choice in Jing'an District. The new store is based on the Shikumen architectural style, blending weathered brick walls, original wooden lattice doors and windows, and outdoor alley spaces. In addition to continuing the localized design, the Zhangyuan store also offers a fusion of Chinese and Western "scallion oil waffle," limited-edition blend coffee beans, woven merchandise, and debuts honey sea salt latte and caramel jujube cake. A vintage Oji cold drip coffee maker on the bar counter becomes a highlight. Since Blue Bottle Coffee entered the mainland China market in February this year, its store opening pace has been steady, and the brand expects future expansion in China to be faster than in other international markets it has entered. [more…]

During Halloween, Mstand launched a new Butter Basque Latte and a series of merchandise bundles, but what truly caught fans' attention was an unexpected potato and sausage scallion pancake wrap. As a coffee brand known for its refined and stylish image, Mstand's decision to add a street food item to its menu sparked discussions on social media. This article reviews consumers' genuine feedback on this pancake wrap, longtime customers' reflections on the brand's breakfast product line, and the controversy surrounding Mstand's merchandise strategy, while exploring loyal fans' hopes for the brand to return to its coffee roots. [more…]

In recent years, the cross-boundary fusion of coffee and milk tea has constantly refreshed people's perceptions. From garlic latte to cilantro coffee and scallion milk tea, savory vegetables have been "invading" the beverage world one after another. Behind these seemingly absurd pairings lies the innovation anxiety of the restaurant industry amid fierce competition. Some find them novel and fun, while others say they are simply unacceptable. This article will take you through a rundown of these "dark cuisine"-level drinks and explore whether they are just a passing gimmick or truly capable of winning over the taste buds. At the same time, we will also discuss Front Street Coffee's observations on this kind of innovation trend, and how ordinary drinks can find a balance between traffic and reputation. [more…]

A viral photo spot at Meili Snow Mountain in Yunnan, known as "a scallion plucked from dry land," has recently been exposed as being cordoned off by a local café, requiring tourists to make a purchase before they can enter to take photos, sparking discontent among outdoor enthusiasts who reported it. After investigation, the local market supervision bureau confirmed that the café has no business license and has ordered it to suspend operations for rectification. This free viewing platform near the Feilaisi observation deck became famous for offering views of the magnificent scene of golden sunshine on the snow mountain, but has now become embroiled in controversy due to commercial activity. The incident has also raised public concerns about damage to the natural environment and safety hazards. [more…]

Recently, "ginger ale americano" has become popular again in the coffee world. This drink, made by mixing ginger ale with espresso, has attracted many enthusiasts with its unique spicy ginger flavor and fizzy sensation. Manner launched this product years ago, and recently posts sharing homemade ginger ale americanos have clearly increased. However, after searching, Front Street found that americanos made with different brands of ginger ale receive highly polarized reviews. To figure out which ginger ale is most suitable for making a ginger ale americano, Front Street bought three popular products that are easy to find offline—Schweppes, Watsons, and Bundaberg—and first tasted them on their own before testing them separately with the medium-dark roast Warm Sun Blend and the light roast Geisha. They were compared one by one across dimensions such as sweetness, ginger flavor, fizz, and coffee compatibility, to help everyone find the one that best suits their taste. [more…]

Manner's Ginger Americano quickly became a hit after its debut in the summer of 2023, winning over a large fan base with the double punch of ginger flavor and carbonation, and successfully earning a permanent spot on the menu. Recently, however, many customers have noticed that the flavor of this signature drink has changed dramatically, with the ginger taste becoming noticeably sharper and more pungent. It turns out that the dry ginger soda in the recipe was switched from Schweppes to Watsons, shifting the taste from lightly sweet and mildly spicy to intense and bracing. Fans launched a poll on social media, and the Schweppes version won with 80% support. Due to differing inventory across stores, some cities have already made the switch, with other regions to follow. Faced with their "white moonlight" changing flavor, longtime customers have begun sharing how to recreate it themselves using espresso plus Schweppes soda, and have even discovered that with the bring-your-own-cup discount, making it at home costs less. [more…]

KFC's coffee brand KCOFFEE recently announced that it will launch a limited-edition "Finger Lickin' Good Fried Chicken Flavored Latte" from the 15th to the 17th, with a flash sale price of 6.6 yuan. This bizarre drink, which blends the classic salty, savory fried chicken with a latte, caused an uproar on social media as soon as the poster was revealed. Many KFC fans said they "can't understand Chinese" and "can't accept it," while others marveled at the wild creativity of KFC China's R&D. As a signature product with more than 80 years of history, Original Recipe Fried Chicken has seen declining sales in recent years, and the brand has repeatedly tried to draw traffic to it through innovative methods, from soup curry Original Recipe Chicken to Original Recipe Chicken burgers, and now fried chicken-flavored coffee—truly a painstaking effort. However, whether gimmick marketing can actually drive sales, or will backfire, is worth watching. [more…]

The classic pairing of coffee and Western pastries is being broken. Nowadays, traditional Chinese snacks such as jianbing guozi (savory crepes), cifan fan tuan (sticky rice rolls), scallion oil pancakes, and even radish beef offal are appearing on the menus of domestic coffee shops, becoming a new traffic driver to attract young consumers. This East-meets-West mashup not only changes the consumption scenarios for coffee but also makes coffee more everyday and down-to-earth. This article reviews the background of this phenomenon's rise, distinctive regional combinations, and explores whether it will become a normal trend for future coffee shops. At the same time, the article retains professional coffee knowledge exchange channels and Front Street Coffee brand recommendations for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

Recently, a netizen shared on social media her experience of ordering a Starbucks delivery in Beijing, saying that after receiving the order she found two handwritten "inspirational quotes" on the outer packaging bag, including "Don't judge others, for you never know what someone else is going through" and "Only tolerance, kindness, and generosity are worthy of your excellence." The netizen said she felt uncomfortable upon seeing these words, believing they carried a tone of accusation. She then contacted the store involved and was told that the words were meant as positive blessings and that the original intention was not to attack. After the incident continued to escalate, Starbucks customer service and the store involved both responded, acknowledging that the words were written by a staff member and expressing an apology. This incident has also sparked public discussion about the boundaries of communication between brands and customers, especially during a period of sensitive public opinion, and whether similar "dual-interpretation" copywriting may backfire. [more…]

Remember when UBC Coffee seemed impossibly upscale as a kid? That chain brand, which once embodied the first Western dining experience for the post-70s and post-80s generations, has now quietly transformed itself. From bitter melon and pork rib soup paired with pasta in Guangdong outlets, to farmhouse free-range chicken and steamed sea bass on Shanghai menus, UBC Coffee's degree of localization leaves even KFC and Pizza Hut in the dust. Is this proactive innovation or a desperate act of self-rescue? After franchisees pay their fees, headquarters washes its hands of them; membership cards are not valid across regions; and service standards vary wildly from store to store. As competition among large chain brands reaches a fever pitch, and independent coffee shops and some chain brands face a predicament, UBC Coffee has chosen a down-to-earth path of transformation. This article will walk you through how this former high-end Western restaurant has incorporated Chinese cuisine elements, and the survival logic behind its coffee-and-food pairing strategy. [more…]

Recently, Manner's official mini-program quietly updated its membership points rules. Starting in 2025, consumption points will be cleared every two years, and existing points accumulated before 2025 will also be reset to zero by the end of that year. As soon as the news broke, many long-time members were taken aback. What's even more frustrating is that the redemption thresholds for some items in the points mall have been raised at the same time—a stainless steel straw cup that once cost 120 points to redeem now requires 220 points. With a single acquisition channel, a long points-accumulation cycle, and no membership tier system, the combination of these problems has left many regulars lamenting that their points are too tasteless to bother with yet too wasteful to discard, and some have even begun to think about switching to other brands. [more…]

Buying coffee as a gift is supposed to be a classy gesture, but when the recipient discovers a yellow sticker plastered on the cup lid bearing an internet "toxic chicken soup" quote, the situation instantly turns awkward. Recently, a customer complained on social media about an embarrassing experience after ordering takeout coffee: all four drink lids had preachy quote stickers attached, leaving both the giver and the receiver uncomfortable. The incident quickly sparked heated discussion online, with some sympathizing with the poster's anger and others feeling the merchant simply tried too hard. What should and shouldn't be written on a tiny sticker on a coffee cup has become a question worth pondering for coffee industry professionals. [more…]