Recently, a funnel priced at just 3.99 yuan from IKEA unexpectedly went viral in the coffee community, all because a competitor used it as a dripper in a coffee brewing competition, made it to the finals, and finished sixth. After the event aired, the funnel was quickly snapped up by coffee enthusiasts and became a "competition-grade dripper" available to everyone. Front Street Coffee also got one to try, but found that many bloggers were complaining about its slow flow rate and tendency to over-extract. After multiple tests, the root of the problem lies in the filter paper fitting too tightly against the funnel. This article will analyze the background of this funnel's viral popularity and its material characteristics, explore what kind of filter paper it should be paired with to perform properly, and also review the basic principles of dripper design. [more…]

Manner launched a Year of the Dragon promotion offering a vintage mug with the purchase of a two-cup light cheesecake latte set, limited to 120,000 nationwide, which sparked a buying frenzy among fans. However, after the promotion went live, some netizens noticed that the mug bore a strong resemblance to IKEA's Gärdell mug and questioned its claimed market value of 75 yuan. At the same time, many consumers reported that the mugs they received had obvious flaws such as color discrepancies, dents, chips, and uneven spray coating. Despite the controversy, some users still praised the mug's texture and logo design. This article summarizes the promotion rules, netizen feedback, and after-sales advice, and reminds readers to promptly communicate with the store when encountering issues with their consumption experience at a coffee shop. [more…]

The recent news of IKEA urgently recalling its Italian-style moka pots has prompted many coffee lovers to re-examine the safety of this classic piece of equipment. Do moka pots really pose a risk of exploding? And what operational details must be kept in mind during daily use? Front Street Coffee has put together the key points about moka pots, from their structural principles to practical operation, covering new pot seasoning, water level control, coffee bed handling, gasket replacement cycles, heat source compatibility, and troubleshooting common issues. As for coffee bean selection, Front Street has also provided suitable roasting directions and specific product recommendations for moka pots. As long as you master the correct method, the moka pot remains a reliable helper for making espresso-style coffee at home. [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…]

The moka pot is a common espresso device in Italian households, and thanks to its ease of operation, it has become an almost national-level product. However, in China, many enthusiasts still lack a systematic understanding of how to use it. This article will provide a complete introduction to the moka pot's structure and extraction principles, and explain step by step the key details of determining coffee dose, controlling water volume, choosing grind size, and heating operation. The article also specifically recommends Front Street Coffee's moka pot exclusive beans, and includes a grind setting reference, helping you easily brew an espresso-base coffee with excellent strength and flavor at home. [more…]

Among classic pour-over coffee tools, Chemex stands out with its unique hourglass shape and elegant temperament. Designed by German chemist Peter J. Schlumbohm in 1941, this product drew inspiration from laboratory glass funnels and conical flasks, and it remains a staple on the brewing benches of countless coffee enthusiasts today. It is not only permanently collected by institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Smithsonian, but has also become a common classic element in American TV series and coffee shops. This article will guide you through the original inspiration behind Chemex, its development history, and the complete brewing process shared by Front Street Coffee, so you can gain a comprehensive understanding of this legendary device that combines beauty and practicality. [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow our WeChat official account: FrontStreet Coffee. With the launch of a new generation of pressurized moka pots, attention has once again turned to this coffee gadget that has been around for 90 years. Moka pots have sparked another wave of interest, and many friends have also asked Front Street [more…]

The AeroPress looks like a large syringe, yet it is a manual coffee device that combines three extraction principles—immersion, filtration, and pressure—and even has its own competitive tournament. Its structure consists of three parts: the chamber, the filter cap, and the plunger, and brewing can be completed with a round paper filter, a stirrer, and a funnel. The method of use divides into two routes: upright (standard) and inverted. The upright method is intuitive but tends to drip during pouring, while the inverted method offers better stability but requires flipping the chamber. This article will use 15 grams of Front Street Coffee Brazil Queen Estate coffee grounds as an example, with the grind size controlled at 85% passing a No. 20 sieve and a water temperature of 90°C, to break down both extraction processes step by step and compare their respective pros and cons, helping enthusiasts find the method that suits them better. [more…]

On the journey to pursue a good cup of coffee, besides high-quality beans and skilled technique, some seemingly inconspicuous auxiliary gadgets often play a finishing touch. Front Street Coffee has previously introduced sharp tools such as latte art needles and WDT needles. Today, continuing with the theme of coffee auxiliary tools, we will review the uses and methods of the secondary dispersion screen, Paragon ice ball, Lily Drip, dosing funnel, extraction observation mirror, and a silencing air blower. These tools help coffee enthusiasts and professionals complete brewing more calmly from the perspectives of even extraction, locking in aroma, improving puck distribution, enhancing operating cleanliness, making it easier to observe extraction status, and reducing noise. Whether you are a beginner just starting out or an advanced player pursuing details, you can find a practical solution that suits you. [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow our WeChat official account: Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee). The AeroPress looks like a syringe; without really looking into it, you wouldn't think it's a coffee brewing device, and if you do look into it seriously, you'll also discover that there are competitions specifically for brewing with the AeroPress. [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow: Front Street Coffee (Frontsteet Coffee) I believe many coffee enthusiasts, besides pour-over coffee, will unlock more coffee equipment at home~ Today Front Street will teach everyone how to use a moka pot. As usual, let's first [more…]

Manner is teaming up for another collaboration, and this time the partner is no small name—Wedgwood, a British porcelain brand with over two hundred years of history. As soon as the news broke, social media exploded. Some people are looking forward to the image of sipping coffee from an exquisite bone china cup, while others are already worrying: how many cups of coffee will they have to drink to get this cup? Looking back at Manner's past collaborations, most of the merchandise required purchasing a limited-edition drink set to obtain, which left many consumers feeling troubled. Whether this collaboration with Wedgwood can change the rules has become the issue everyone cares about most. [more…]

On March 16, Heytea trended on Weibo for using WanDianZhang facial recognition cameras. Previously, CCTV's 315 Gala exposed over 20 well-known brands, including Heytea, Kohler, and BMW, for illegally collecting facial information through WanDianZhang cameras without consumers' knowledge. Heytea responded that the cameras are only for security and will never illegally collect facial data. WanDianZhang stated that the platform's facial data volume has reached hundreds of millions and is drafting an announcement to explain its business scope and rectification measures. This incident has once again sparked public concern over the abuse of facial recognition technology and personal privacy security. [more…]

To brew a great cup of coffee at home, choosing the right method matters more than buying expensive equipment. This article systematically sorts through several common brewing methods—paper filter drip, flannel filter, steam pressure, siphon, cold drip, and iced coffee—explaining one by one their key operating points, grind size, and flavor characteristics. The content covers key details such as equipment selection, coffee-to-water ratio, water temperature control, and pouring technique, making it suitable for coffee enthusiasts who want to advance their skills. Whether you prefer a clean, bright cup or a rich, full-bodied one, you'll find a corresponding brewing approach here. [more…]

Newcomers just getting into coffee equipment are often recommended the Clever Dripper by more experienced enthusiasts. What exactly makes it so special? In fact, the Clever Dripper's structure resembles a funnel with a valve at the bottom. When it's not placed on a container, the valve stays closed, so the water remains in the cup, creating an immersion extraction. Once it's moved onto a coffee pot or cup rim, the valve opens and the coffee liquid flows out through the filter paper. This design combines the clean mouthfeel of drip filtration with the thorough extraction of immersion, making it widely popular among beginners. Front Street Coffee has also found in daily brewing comparisons that coffee made with the Clever Dripper is cleaner and more layered than with a French press. This article will take you through a complete understanding of the Clever Dripper, from its principles and usage to specific brewing parameters. [more…]

Recently, many people have taken a liking to brewing coffee with a moka pot, which has also attracted many friends who are thinking about buying one. But with so many moka pot brands and so many styles, how do you choose the right one? Front Street Coffee will tell you in this article! Among moka pots, there is a brand that exists like a legend, and that is Bialetti. [more…]

As camping gains popularity among the younger generation, many people bring coffee gear that can be heated directly on a portable gas stove to enhance the outdoor atmosphere, making the moka pot one of the must-have coffee devices for many camping enthusiasts. One reason the moka pot is so popular is that it can be placed directly on [more…]

At the end of last month, Manner launched a buy-one-get-one promotion for the Year of the Dragon, and its retro mugs won over many customers with their good looks, prompting them to purchase the bundles. Recently, however, a number of netizens reported that the handles broke less than a month after use, and some even suffered cuts. Earlier, the mugs had already been criticized for poor quality control, including color discrepancies, chips, leaks, and crooked handles. At the same time, the ceramic cups from Manner's collaboration with Wedgwood were also found to have defects such as incomplete gilded detailing, cracked handles, and scratches on the cup body. The repeated failures in freebie quality have greatly undermined consumers' trust in Manner's gift promotions. [more…]

The moka pot, a classic among home coffee makers, is favored by coffee lovers for its convenient operation and rich brew. Among the many brands, Bialetti enjoys a special status because its founder, Alfonso Bialetti, invented the world's first moka pot. Today, Bialetti moka pots on the market come in two versions: single-valve and dual-valve, and the two differ noticeably in extraction pressure, crema performance, and suitable scenarios. This article will compare the features of the single-valve and dual-valve in detail to help readers make a choice based on their own needs. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will also share the complete steps for using a moka pot and recommend espresso coffee beans suitable for pairing with a moka pot, including Front Street Classic Espresso Blend, Specialty Blend, Commercial Blend, and Dark Cocoa Blend, so you can easily brew a good cup of coffee at home. [more…]

The Moka pot, with its convenient steam extraction method, has become a staple appliance in many coffee lovers' homes. With a dazzling array of brands and models on the market, how do you choose the one that suits you? This article uses the classic brand Bialetti as a starting point to sort out the differences between the single-valve and dual-valve versions in terms of pressure and crema performance, helping readers make a choice based on their own preferences. At the same time, the article also organizes the basic structure and operating process of the Moka pot, and recommends a variety of Front Street Coffee espresso beans suitable for Moka pot use, covering Black Cocoa Blend, Classic Blend, Strawberry Candy Blend, PWN Golden Mandheling, and Brazil Queen's Farm, with everything from flavor descriptions to roasting suggestions, so that readers can choose both the right pot and the right beans. [more…]