Luckin Coffee's collaboration with the mobile game Honor of Kings has not yet officially launched, but a new product called "Tamarind Americano" has already sparked discussions on social platforms ahead of time. Many netizens, upon first hearing the name, mistook it for pickled string beans added to coffee and blurted out "dark cuisine"; later, a Yunnan netizen clarified that tamarind is actually a common local fruit, often used to make beverages, and has long been paired with coffee. However, after the full name "Pain Mask · Tamarind Americano" was revealed, it triggered consumer worries about the taste. Whether this collaboration drink is a pleasant surprise or a flop will only be known after it hits the market. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts are still unfamiliar with Lungo, and may even confuse it with Long Black. In fact, Lungo, like Ristretto, belongs to the espresso family—both are made directly with an espresso machine without adding any other ingredients. The difference lies in the amount of extracted liquid: a standard espresso uses 20g of grounds to extract about 40ml, Ristretto reduces the liquid to about 30ml to increase concentration, while Lungo extends the extraction time and increases the liquid to about 100ml, with concentration decreasing accordingly. Lungo was born in an era when early espresso machines had pressure of only 1.5~3 bar, and at that time the only way to compensate for insufficient pressure was to extend the extraction. Today, espresso machines are much more efficient, and traditional Lungo tends to be over-bitter, but by adjusting the parameters, it is still possible to make a version that suits modern tastes. In this article, Front Street Coffee will walk you through the origins of Lungo, its differences from Long Black and Ristretto, and how to extract a modern Lungo that isn't bitter. [more…]

After canned yellow peaches were jokingly called something that should be covered by medical insurance, and electrolyte water sold out, young people have now turned their attention to the "COVID special drinks" from major milk tea brands. When your throat hurts like you're swallowing razor blades and buying medicine is difficult, a cup of orange, lemon, and snow pear tea rich in vitamin C has become a comfort for many. Related products from brands such as Heytea, Nayuki, Shanghai Auntie, and Mixue Bingcheng have surged in popularity, with some stores even selling out. Can these drinks really relieve sore throats and hoarseness? This article walks you through the logic behind the popularity of "COVID special drinks," representative products, and whether they are merely psychological comfort or truly beneficial. Follow Coffee Workshop for more professional coffee knowledge and Front Street Coffee recommendations. [more…]

This morning, delivery orders for Starbucks and Luckin Coffee experienced widespread disruptions, with many consumers waiting in vain for riders to pick up their orders after placing them on Ele.me and the brands' official channels. It is understood that the problem stemmed from an anomaly in the rider information service database of SF Intra-city, the delivery partner for both brands, which prevented orders from being dispatched and recipient information from being displayed. Store employees were forced to act as customer service representatives, calling customers one by one to apologize and suggesting they pick up their orders in person, while multiple store locations on the Ele.me platform temporarily showed as "closed." As of press time, none of the three parties involved had issued a formal response, and online stores had gradually resumed accepting orders. [more…]

Recently, multiple part-time employees at Manner have reported on social media that shifts they had originally selected were canceled by stores at the last minute before work on the grounds of sufficient staffing, and some even had this happen several times in a row. At the same time, some full-time employees have also revealed that stores adjust shifts at will according to how busy they are, arranging long continuous shifts when busy and cutting hours when quiet. Some analysts believe that because part-time hourly wages are higher than full-time ones but the work is more oriented toward packing and cleaning, stores may be more inclined to reduce part-time positions in order to control labor costs. As of now, Manner has not yet responded officially, and this series of scheduling chaos is chilling many young people who are interested in joining. [more…]

Recently, a social media post in which a user brewed drip coffee using a face mask instead of filter paper sparked heated discussion. In the photo, the mask was hung over the rim of the cup to serve as a filtering tool, and the caption claimed it had a "unique taste." This move quickly drew a flood of criticism and concern. Some questioned whether the mask's water-resistant layer and adhesive layer might release toxic substances, while others joked that this was an attempt to compete with "Lianhua Qingwen coffee." In fact, this practice stemmed from a "clever trick" some netizens came up with to avoid wasting expired masks, but medical experts point out that the non-woven fabric in the inner layer of masks is made of polypropylene (PP), and although the amount of harmful substances released when heated is trace, it is still not recommended for contact with food. Front Street Coffee reminds everyone that coffee filter paper costs about the same as a mask, and choosing standard filter paper is the safe and reliable way to brew coffee. [more…]

Coffee has long been part of the daily rhythm for many urbanites, but most people treat it merely as a pick-me-up. In fact, coffee's uses go far beyond drinking—the grounds left after brewing are equally promising for beauty and skincare and for household life. This article systematically introduces the specific ways to use coffee grounds for facial care, hand cleansing, and hair maintenance, including practical recipes such as exfoliating scrubs, firming masks, odor removal, scalp sprays, and hair masks, each with detailed materials and step-by-step instructions. If you happen to have coffee grounds on hand, why not follow along with this article and try these simple, natural tricks. [more…]

Recently, a bizarre scene unfolded inside a Starbucks store at a Yizhaoweide Plaza in Xiangshan, Ningbo, Zhejiang: a customer wearing a tiger-head mask and carrying a spiked club appeared in the store, drawing widespread attention from customers present and netizens alike. According to multiple media reports, the incident occurred on November 27, and video showed the customer standing by the front counter, waving the spiked club while communicating with staff. The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with many people expressing confusion over the person's behavior and speculating that the motive might have been performance art or a prank. On November 30, staff at the store involved responded, saying that the customer did not rob the store of coffee or injure anyone, that employees promptly called the police and reassured customers, and that the individual subsequently left on their own. This incident not only sparked discussion about safety in public places, but also left people reflecting on the unexpected situations service industry workers face. [more…]

Dialing in an ideal espresso often means consuming a lot of coffee beans through repeated trial and error. This article takes a practical approach, systematically sorting out the core variables that affect espresso extraction—the interconnected relationship between grind size, dose, and yield—and provides a step-by-step adjustment strategy: first use a 1:2 brew ratio to lock in the time range, then fine-tune parameters based on flavor performance. The article also specifically reminds readers of how operational details like distributing and tamping can interfere with extraction stability, and recommends Front Street Classic Blend and Strawberry Candy Espresso suitable for both home and café use. Finally, using iced Americano as an example, it demonstrates the practical application of espresso in specialty drinks, helping coffee enthusiasts avoid detours and efficiently find their desired flavor state. [more…]

The soul of an Americano lies in the quality of its espresso, yet dialing in espresso parameters often gives coffee lovers a headache. Drawing on the hands-on experience of Front Street Coffee, this article systematically breaks down the core variables that shape espresso flavor—grind size, dose, and yield—and offers a step-by-step tuning method to help you quickly find your ideal extraction solution at home. It also provides practical guidance on working backward from flavor to adjust parameters, along with the standard method for making iced Americanos and several health benefits of drinking Americano coffee, making it a worthwhile read for anyone looking to refine their espresso skills. [more…]

In the food service industry, it is already the norm for employees to wear masks at work. However, during the hot summer days, keeping one's mouth and nose covered under a mask for long periods inevitably causes discomfort. Recently, employees at Luckin Coffee stores noticed that the new masks distributed by headquarters differ noticeably from the old version—lighter in color and thinner in material, yet breathability does not seem to have improved as expected. After wearing them for a few days, many employees developed red bumps and itching on their chins and cheeks, and some suspect this batch of "veil masks" is the culprit behind their skin breakouts. Employees also reported that the new masks have an odor, and a few sensitive individuals experienced itching in the nose after putting them on. Everyone worries that these thin masks not only have questionable protective effectiveness but may also trigger allergies due to material issues. Some employees have already said they will buy their own masks as replacements. Although requiring masks is intended for food safety reasons, the skin problems reported this time may be worth Luckin re-examining the quality of its masks. [more…]

New-style tea beverage brand Heytea has recently expanded its business boundaries once again. Data from the Tianyancha App shows that the industrial and commercial information of Heytea's affiliated company, Shenzhen Meixixi Catering Management Co., Ltd., has undergone changes, with new additions to its business scope including the sale of daily-use masks (non-medical), the sale of daily chemical products, and agency sales of single-purpose commercial prepaid cards. This move has sparked widespread attention regarding Heytea's strategic layout. As a leading player in the new-style tea beverage industry, Heytea's target user profile and cross-border cooperation models have always been a focal point of industry discussion. This article will start from the industrial and commercial change information, sort out Heytea's user positioning logic and cross-border traffic generation mechanism, and append related recommendations from Front Street Coffee for the reference of coffee and tea beverage enthusiasts. [more…]

In the heat of midsummer, a glass of ice-cold, crystal-clear coffee is undeniably a great way to cool down. But did you know that cold coffee actually comes in three types: ice drip, iced (iced Americano), and cold brew, each with its own production logic and flavor profile? This article will help you understand the differences between the three, with a focus on ice drip coffee's drip rate, coffee-to-water ratio, and complete brewing process, and share three beans commonly used at Front Street Coffee shops that are suitable for ice drip—Mozart, Kenya Small Tomato, and PWN Golden Mandheling—each presenting a direction of dark berries, crisp and clean, and rich with a sweet finish. Whether you want to recreate it at home or are looking for a new summer flavor, this article offers practical reference. [more…]

Coffee has become an indispensable beverage in many people's daily lives, but for those who are sensitive to caffeine, enjoying a cup of coffee may mean the distress of insomnia. Decaffeinated coffee (low-caffeine coffee) has therefore become an ideal alternative for these consumers. This article will systematically introduce the core differences between decaffeinated coffee and regular coffee in terms of caffeine content and flavor performance, provide a detailed analysis of the principles and processes of three decaffeination methods including the Swiss Water Process, and offer an in-depth introduction to the bean composition, flavor characteristics, and brewing parameter recommendations of Front Street Coffee Colombia Swiss Water Process Decaf, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of the true nature of decaffeinated coffee. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's collaborative campaign with the hit mobile game Honor of Kings has officially launched, coinciding with the game's tenth anniversary celebration and drawing widespread attention from players. The collaboration features a special drink inspired by in-game equipment called "Pain Mask · Tamarind Americano," along with merchandise such as hand fans, insulated tumblers, and gold-stamped badges. During the campaign, stores nationwide are using a three-piece collaboration set consisting of takeaway cups, cup sleeves, and paper bags, with the most eye-catching item being as many as 10 themed cup designs covering 5 game characters. The rich variety has thrilled players but placed a double burden on store staff in terms of identification and stocking. Front Street Coffee continues to follow developments in the coffee industry and brings you frontline observations. [more…]

Recently, the coffee brand WHATEVER COFFEE, founded by actor Daniel Wu, opened its first physical store on Dongda Road in Chengdu, sparking a wave of social media check-ins. This shop-in-shop, sharing space with a barbershop, features a minimalist black, white, and gray aesthetic. Its menu focuses on classic coffees and simple flavored drinks, priced between 20 and 34 yuan. The brand logo, a mask hand-drawn by Daniel Wu, symbolizes shedding pretense and returning to authenticity. In fact, the brand entered the coffee market as early as last June. Now, with the Chengdu store serving as a test outlet, a second independent location is already being scouted. Celebrities opening coffee shops is nothing new—from JJ Lin to Jay Chou—but behind the built-in traffic, whether the products and services themselves can withstand market scrutiny remains a topic worth watching. [more…]

In the heat of summer, a refreshing glass of cold brew is the go-to choice for many coffee lovers looking to beat the heat. But have you ever considered that coffee beans blended from two or more varieties can also produce an outstanding cold brew? Cold brew, due to its low-temperature, long-duration extraction, has a richer, smoother mouthfeel, yet its floral and fruity notes gradually fade with storage time. This article draws on the hands-on experience of Front Street Coffee, first outlining the characteristics of cold brew and the advantages of blended beans, then recreating several blending experiments one by one: from Sidra with Geisha, Pacamara with Red Cherry, to Huakui paired with Strawberry Candy and Wangshan Geisha, and finally challenging the dark-roasted Queen's Estate blended with Flower God. Some of these recipes are full-bodied and layered, while others flop into a "mask of pain," yet they perfectly showcase the fun and possibilities of blended cold brew. [more…]

Many people want to find coffee beans that are completely acid-free, but in reality, coffee that contains absolutely no acidic substances at all hardly exists. The so-called "acid-free" coffees on the market are often just extremely low in acidity, to the point where it is hard to detect. The acidity level of coffee is mainly influenced by variety, growing environment, processing method, and roast level, among which the degree of roasting is especially key—the darker the roast, the more acidic substances are broken down, and the more prominent the bitterness and roasted aromas become, making it easier to mask any remaining acidity. This article will explain the principles behind this and recommend three nearly acid-free Front Street Coffee dark roasts according to flavor intensity: Brazil Queen Estate, Golden Mandheling, and Jamaica Blue Mountain, helping you choose beans precisely based on your taste preferences. [more…]

Today, the menus in coffee shops are rich and diverse, and in order to cater to more people's tastes, adding various dairy products and flavored syrups to coffee is also very common. So have you ever heard of coffee with condensed milk? Adding condensed milk is to mask the strong bitterness in coffee. In Vietnam, the aroma of coffee drifts through the streets and alleys. [more…]

To make an espresso with a balanced mix of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness at home or in a shop, choosing the right beans is the first step. Single-origin beans perform brilliantly in pour-over, but often lack complexity when used for espresso, so blending has become the mainstream approach. Blending was initially intended to mask defective beans, but over time it evolved into an important means of creating a brand's signature flavor and ensuring consistent output. This article focuses on two scenarios—home use and opening a shop—explaining how to choose blended beans, and for five needs—rich and mellow, fruity, nutty notes, rich crema, and high cost-effectiveness—provides specific blending solutions from the Front Street brand, including Classic Italian, Strawberry Candy Espresso, Specialty Italian, Commercial Italian, and Basic Italian, helping readers quickly select beans according to their positioning. [more…]