On August 15, the World Health Organization declared that the outbreak of a rapidly spreading mpox variant in Africa constitutes a "public health emergency of international concern," the highest-level global epidemic alert under the International Health Regulations. This outbreak is centered on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where infections have exceeded 14,000 this year, with 524 deaths, and a new variant has spread to neighboring countries. Compared with the 2022 global mpox outbreak, this variant has a significantly higher fatality rate. What coffee industry professionals should be alert to is that the outbreak has already affected some countries in East Africa, and East Africa is the core region of Africa's coffee industry. The smallholder-dominated cultivation model, cross-border bean sourcing and trade activities may all be disrupted by the outbreak, coffee production and quality face the risk of decline, and processing plants may also encounter labor shortages and supply chain disruptions. Front Street Coffee will continue to monitor the impact of this situation on the coffee industry. [more…]

As global temperatures rise and extreme weather becomes more frequent, the Americas are experiencing an unusually severe dengue fever season this year. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the number of reported cases in the first three months of this year was already three times that of the same period last year, with more than a thousand deaths, and the outbreaks in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina being particularly severe. The continuously spreading outbreak has not only overcrowded hospitals in many places but also brought a thorny temporary labor shortage to coffee and other plantation industries. As Brazil and Guatemala approach the eve of the new season's coffee berry harvest, growers are worried that harvest workers will be hard to find and that the harvest may be affected. This article will review the latest outbreak data, the reasons for its intensification, and its potential impact on the coffee industry, along with related observations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

The hot and humid climate brought by El Niño created conditions for mosquito breeding, leading to severe dengue fever outbreaks in multiple countries across the Americas. Among them, Brazil's confirmed cases exceeded 3.5 million, with 1,544 deaths, both hitting the highest records since 2000. Hospital admissions surged, with the average dengue fever admission rate at São Paulo's municipal hospitals reaching 90%. At the same time, Brazil entered the early stage of harvesting the new Robusta coffee season, and a large number of workers were absent due to illness, significantly slowing down the harvest progress. The Port of Santos had long been plagued by ship delays due to aging facilities, outdated management, and insufficient manpower, and the epidemic further worsened congestion. In March, the coffee ship delay rate rose to 80%, reaching 81% at the Port of Rio de Janeiro and 59% at the Port of Vitória. In Asia, Indonesia also experienced a dengue fever outbreak, with over 60,000 confirmed cases and 475 deaths, about three times that of the same period last year. Front Street Coffee reminds you to pay attention to origin updates and travel safety. [more…]

Recently, Brazil's coffee exports have shown strong performance, but extreme weather and a dengue fever outbreak are casting a shadow over the upcoming crop season. In Minas Gerais, the main Arabica-producing region, rainfall has been only 16% of the historical average, and drought is threatening production. Meanwhile, dengue fever cases have surged past 1.8 million, with multiple coffee-growing regions entering a health emergency, which could lead to a shortage of harvest labor. In addition, the probability of La Niña has risen to 62%, potentially bringing frost disasters. Although coffee sales for the 2023/24 season are progressing well, pre-sales for the 2024/25 season are slow, at only 11%, far below the same period last year. Coffee farmers are strongly reluctant to sell, and the market's wait-and-see atmosphere has intensified. Front Street Coffee reminds enthusiasts to pay attention to developments in the producing regions and to view price fluctuations rationally. [more…]

After the Nairobi Coffee Exchange in Kenya reopened, coffee auction prices rose significantly, with AA-grade green beans fetching US$275 per bag, up 15% from before. Behind this increase are both the direct impact of the government's push for industry reforms and the reduction of intermediary links, as well as multiple pressures such as insufficient processing plant capacity, a shortage of certified planting materials, and the mpox outbreak and domestic political instability. Despite the higher prices, coffee export earnings fell 11.38% year on year, and the industry's outlook remains full of uncertainty. [more…]

Recently, international coffee futures prices have continued to rise, with Robusta hitting its highest record since October 1994, and spot prices in Vietnam and Brazil soaring in tandem. Spurred by these prices, Brazilian growers have been actively selling off inventory and pre-selling beans from the new crop, with March exports reaching 4.293 million bags, a year-on-year increase of 37.8%. Among these, Robusta exports surged nearly sixfold, becoming the biggest highlight, driven mainly by reduced production in Asian origins and a surge in imports from Mexico. However, the delay rate at the Port of Santos, reaching as high as 80%, along with labor shortages caused by the dengue fever outbreak, still brings uncertainty to subsequent exports. [more…]

Several major coffee-producing regions in southeastern Brazil were recently hit by severe storms formed by the collision of strong cold fronts and high temperatures. São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro were all affected, with rainfall in some areas exceeding 100 mm per day and wind speeds reaching up to 100 km/h. Together, these regions account for 48% of Brazil's total national coffee output, and as the coffee berries are currently in their fruit-setting stage, the storms and heavy rain caused large numbers of cherries to drop. Industry insiders are calling on coffee farmers to strengthen precautions. At the same time, the heavy rain has caused at least 24 deaths and displaced thousands of people, while the dengue fever outbreak continues to spread, putting pressure on the healthcare system and raising the risk of labor shortages during the harvest period. Front Street Coffee will continue to follow developments in Brazil's producing regions and bring coffee lovers the latest information. [more…]

Hawaiian Kona coffee is renowned for its rich malt-sugar sweetness and mellow, balanced flavor, making it a specialty representative in the hearts of coffee lovers. However, in recent years this producing region has faced the threat of leaf rust, and combined with historical pest outbreaks and reduced rainfall, its yield and price have drawn much attention. In this article, Front Street Coffee will guide you through the cultivation story of the Kona region, the characteristics of the Typica variety, the washed processing method, and share Front Street's roasting and pour-over extraction parameters, fully presenting the complete flavor picture of Kona coffee from seed to cup. [more…]

Hawaiian Kona coffee, with its rich malt sugar aroma and mellow, balanced flavor, has long been favored by coffee lovers and the baristas at Front Street Coffee. However, in 2020, leaf rust appeared in Hawaii for the first time, casting a shadow over the local coffee industry. Coupled with pest outbreaks and reduced rainfall in earlier years, Kona coffee production has remained tight, with prices approaching those of Blue Mountain. This article will systematically sort out the unique qualities of Kona coffee, from producing-region news, historical disasters, Kona's growing conditions, Typica variety characteristics, and washed processing methods, to Front Street Coffee's roasting and brewing parameters, taking you through a comprehensive understanding of the flavor code of this island specialty coffee. [more…]

Liberica coffee is one of the three major commercial coffee species, standing alongside Arabica and Robusta, yet it accounts for only 2% of global consumption. This coffee tree is tall with large cherries, and its flavor is dominated by woody and smoky notes, with the lowest caffeine content among the three. It originated in Liberia, Africa, and was only cultivated artificially in the 19th century; due to the difficulty of harvesting, it has never been widely promoted. After the coffee rust outbreak in 1890, the Philippines took the lead in large-scale cultivation of Liberica, and today the Philippines remains the world's largest producer. This article will give you a comprehensive understanding of Liberica's flavor characteristics, cultivation history, and producing regions, along with product recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, American chain brands have faced waves of boycotts in Muslim-majority regions, with Starbucks bearing the brunt. In Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, local consumers' boycott of Starbucks has led to a sharp drop in foot traffic. The latest financial report from franchise operator Berjaya Food shows that in the first half of this year, its Starbucks business suffered a massive loss of 87.34 million ringgit (approximately 143 million RMB). To reverse the decline, Berjaya Food has repeatedly stated that Starbucks Malaysia is wholly owned by a local listed company, with employees almost entirely local and mostly Muslim, in an attempt to distance itself from the US headquarters. However, the boycott continues, even affecting employees' livelihoods and stock performance. How this situation will unfold and whether Starbucks can regain local consumers' trust is worth watching. [more…]

Arabica coffee beans have always held a core position in both commercial and specialty coffee thanks to their outstanding aroma and acidity. Their cultivation span stretches across multiple producing regions in South America, Central America, Africa, and Asia. Tracing their history, they were first used as medicine by Islamic monks, and only in the 13th century did the practice of roasting them for drinking develop. After spreading to Europe via the Arab world in the 16th century, they gradually became popular worldwide. Arabica coffee began spreading around the world from the mid-18th century, and most existing varieties originate from Typica, evolving into distinctive new varieties as they adapted to different climates and terroirs. In the 19th century, a large-scale outbreak of leaf rust caused massive coffee tree deaths, prompting breeders in the mid-20th century to begin developing disease- and pest-resistant varieties. Today, the Arabica family has more than a hundred varieties. Altitude has a significant impact on flavor, and this article will also introduce seven daily-drinker beans from key producing regions selected by Front Street Coffee. [more…]

The Brazilian coffee industry is currently facing severe challenges. According to the latest report from the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council, the delay rate at major ports reached 62% in June, leaving 1.23 million bags of coffee unable to be exported on schedule and causing foreign exchange losses of approximately US$290 million. The delay rate at the Port of Santos climbed to a record high of 82%. At the same time, persistent high temperatures and drought are affecting core producing regions such as Minas Gerais, and harvested coffee beans are showing undersized defects, with production expected to be revised down by 2 to 3 million bags. In addition, the dengue fever outbreak has exacerbated labor shortages, further weighing on exports. Front Street Coffee continues to monitor developments in Brazilian producing regions and brings you the latest industry analysis. [more…]

There are three main species of coffee cultivated commercially worldwide: Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. The first two are ones we encounter frequently in daily life, while Liberica is rarely mentioned. It originated in Liberia, West Africa, and has a tall tree form and large fruit, which is why it is called "large bean." Liberica is extremely adaptable and once became a replacement crop in Southeast Asia after the coffee rust outbreak at the end of the 19th century; today the Philippines is the world's largest producer. However, it has a one-dimensional flavor, strong bitterness, and an intense smoky character, and has even been described as "liquid tobacco." Add to that the difficulty of harvesting and its scarce yield, and it accounts for only about 5% of total world coffee production. This article will comprehensively sort out Liberica's origin, spread, flavor characteristics, and cultivation in China, and will include Front Street Coffee's brewing suggestions. [more…]

Coffea arabica, commonly known as Arabica coffee beans, is the most traditional and most important variety in the Coffea genus. It originated in East Africa and was long monopolized by the Arab world before the 15th century, hence the name "Arabian coffee." At the end of the 19th century, a large-scale disease outbreak prompted growers to seek disease-resistant alternative varieties, but Coffea arabica still accounts for about three-quarters of global coffee production today, mainly grown in Latin America, with Brazil becoming the largest producer thanks to its suitable terroir. This article will systematically sort out the core knowledge framework of Coffea arabica, from historical legends and plant habits to taxonomic changes, and take you to rediscover this familiar bean. [more…]

Starbucks recently released its third-quarter financial report, showing global same-store sales growth of 3% and total revenue of $8.15 billion, exceeding market expectations. Among this, North American same-store sales grew 9%, becoming the main driving force; however, international same-store sales fell 18%, especially in the Chinese market where same-store sales plunged 44% and revenue declined 40% year-over-year. Although U.S. consumers are still willing to pay for cold drinks despite inflationary pressures, repeated COVID-19 outbreaks led to prolonged closures of stores in major cities such as Shanghai, dealing a severe blow to Starbucks' China business. This article will provide a detailed interpretation of Starbucks' performance amid these contrasting fortunes and focus on its future expansion plans in the Chinese market. [more…]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai, shortages of supplies became a difficult problem for residents. A blogger exchanged the only coffee at home for a neighbor's canned meat, sparking heated discussion online. Some joked about whether coffee beans could be traded for vegetables, while others questioned whether it was worth it. This article records this coffee story from a special period, and reminds everyone to cooperate with epidemic prevention and reduce contact. At the same time, Front Street Coffee continues to provide coffee lovers with professional exchange and specialty bean information. [more…]

The war in Ethiopia's Amhara region has lasted for nearly a year and continues to escalate. Firefights between Fano forces and the government's joint forces have advanced to only about 55 kilometers from the capital, Addis Ababa. Fighting is intense around cities such as Gondar, and government troops have failed to achieve expected results on multiple fronts, with increasing defections among riot police and militia. At the same time, millions of students have been out of school, medical facilities have been damaged, and the region's economy has suffered severe losses. As a pillar industry accounting for as much as 30 to 40 percent of export earnings, the coffee sector is facing multiple shocks, including instability in producing areas, traders withdrawing, the Red Sea crisis, and the suspension of operations at Djibouti's ports, making the supply outlook far from optimistic. [more…]

Among developed Western countries, Hawaii in the United States is an extremely rare coffee-producing region. Blessed by an island climate, it can still cultivate high-quality coffee despite limited elevation. Coffee was once grown on several Hawaiian islands, but after a pest infestation, the Kona region became almost the sole pillar. Kona mainly cultivates Typica, introduced from Guatemala by sugar farmers in 1874. Under the island climate, it exhibits soft acidity and moderate body, and was named "Kona Typica" by locals. After World War II, the Japanese market favored it greatly, and Kona Typica earned the name "Queen of Coffee" for its plump fruit and translucent color. Front Street Coffee recommends paying attention to this legendary region. [more…]

The latest report from the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (FNC) shows that the country's coffee production reached 742,000 bags in April, an increase of more than 30% year-on-year, though down from March. Despite favorable weather that helped flowering, coffee farmers still face multiple challenges, including aging trees, frequent pest outbreaks and fluctuations in international prices. At the same time, escalating violence by anti-government armed groups in Cauca province has brought uncertainty to this important producing region. Colombia's coffee production for the 2024/25 season is expected to reach 12.4 million bags, with exports also expected to rebound. This article will analyze key points including production, exports, planting structure and policy support, and will also examine the potential impact of the security situation in producing regions on the coffee industry. [more…]