After the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are paying increasing attention to the environmental friendliness of coffee—from green bean cultivation to the coffee in the cup, carbon emissions are being taken into account. Coffee-producing countries and consuming countries are mostly separated by oceans, and tens of thousands of tons of coffee beans rely on air or sea freight, making fossil fuels an unavoidable source of power. The British experimental company NEW DAWN TRADERS is trying to change this situation. They charter sailing ships, abandon fuel engines, and transport green coffee beans back to the UK from places like Colombia. The voyage lasts more than five months and covers about 7,000 nautical miles. Although it takes much longer, it significantly reduces carbon emissions. At the same time, Canada's Café William and Sailcargo are also building zero-emission sailing cargo ships, with plans to put them into operation in 2023. This article will review the glorious history of sailing cargo ships and explore the possibilities of this ancient mode of transportation in the modern coffee industry. [more…]

Guatemala, with its sprawling mountain ranges and diverse microclimates, gives rise to eight major coffee regions, each with its own distinct style. This article begins with Finca El Guayabal in the New Oriente region, offering a detailed introduction to the varietal origins, processing details, and cupping performance of its winey natural SL28, and then systematically reviews the terroir characteristics and flavor profiles of each Guatemalan coffee region. Whether you are interested in regional knowledge or single-origin reviews, you will find a complete reference here. [more…]

In coffee cupping, sweetness is often the key to a higher score, and Costa Rica, with its diverse honey processing methods, has become a representative origin for high-quality sweetness. In this article, Front Street will focus on a red honey processed Catuai from Dawn Estate in the Tarrazu region of Costa Rica, breaking down everything from the estate's story, the terroir of Tarrazu, and the characteristics of the Catuai variety to the details of red honey processing. The estate is located at an altitude of 1,750 meters, surrounded by pristine green belts, and practices ecological principles through meticulous plot management. Through cupping records, we will present the sweet orange, cream, grapefruit, honey, and black tea flavors this bean displays in dry aroma and slurping, and share its flavor performance under a medium-light roast. [more…]

It's also honey processing, so why are some beans clean and bright, while others are wild like red wine? The key lies in the difference in the amount of mucilage retained and the frequency of turning. White honey is closest to washed, black honey is almost equivalent to natural, and red honey is right in between, becoming the most common honey color type on the market. This article will start with the processing method and break down the fermentation logic and flavor direction of white honey, yellow honey, red honey, and black honey one by one. Using Front Street Coffee's red honey processed Catuai from the Tarrazu region of Costa Rica as an example, it will take you from green beans and variety to cupping, so you can fully experience the sweetness and charm of honey processed coffee. [more…]

The world of coffee is rich and diverse, and every classic coffee carries the culinary culture and brewing wisdom of a different region. This article selects ten of the most popular classic coffees from around the world, including New York-style mocha, the mint mocha coffee beloved by Americans, the Italian classic cappuccino, tropical coconut cream coffee, Viennese-style blended coffee, dawn coffee that must be drunk in the morning in Naples, Russian-style hot mocha jaba, Indian warming coffee, Turkish coffee full of fortune-telling fun, and refreshing layered American iced cream cube coffee. Each coffee comes with detailed preparation methods, covering everything from ingredient ratios to decorative details. Whether you are a beginner just getting into pour-over or a seasoned enthusiast devoted to espresso, you can find the cup that suits you here. Front Street Coffee will also recommend classic products worth trying. [more…]

The world of espresso coffee is rich and varied, and each type has its own unique blending method and flavor profile. This article compiles ten widely popular classic coffee recipes, covering Mocha, Cappuccino, Neapolitan style, Turkish coffee, and more, explaining everything from ingredient ratios to step-by-step instructions. Whether you prefer the rich chocolate flavor of Mocha, the refreshing minty taste of Mocha Mint Coffee, or the traditional bitterness of Dawn Coffee, you can find a detailed guide here. Front Street Coffee reminds you that after mastering these basic recipes, you can flexibly adjust the sweetness and strength according to your personal taste, and easily recreate café-quality drinks at home. [more…]

Hong Kong-style Yuanyang is a classic beverage that blends coffee and silk-stocking milk tea, beloved throughout Cantonese-speaking regions and even among Chinese communities worldwide. Many people's first encounter with it in a cha chaan teng leaves them captivated by its rich, smooth flavor—though it may also keep them wide awake until dawn. Where exactly did this drink come from? Why is its caffeine content so astonishingly high? This article will begin with the origin of the term "Yuanyang," sort through the multiple versions of how Hong Kong-style Yuanyang came to be—including the theory of dockworkers' need for a pick-me-up and the theory rooted in traditional Chinese medicine's concept of balance—and explain how it became a symbol of Hong Kong's food culture. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will use data to show you roughly how many cups of Americano a 700ml Yuanyang is equivalent to, as a reminder for those sensitive to caffeine to tread carefully. [more…]

On a cold, windy weekend morning—the kind of day meant for sleeping in until you wake up naturally—hundreds of people were already queuing for hundreds of meters outside Manner stores in several cities across China before dawn. Seven Gingerbread Man–themed stores in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and elsewhere attracted a large crowd of young people to get up early and endure the cold by offering a 9ml Jo Malone perfume and a Christmas badge with the purchase of a new coffee. The queue at the Shanghai Xuhui Binjiang store was the most spectacular: some people got up at 6 a.m. and arrived at 7 a.m., and by the time the store opened at 9 a.m., the line had already reached number 300. What exactly is the magic of this collaboration that makes young people willing to wait two or three hours in the freezing 0°C wind? Let’s take a closer look. [more…]

Amid the wave of price cuts in new-style tea drinks, a cup of milk tea priced at 50 yuan is no longer common. However, on the opening day of Chayan Yuese's first store in Nanjing, scalpers were reselling cups for as much as 200 yuan, with people lining up as early as 4:30 a.m., and related topics quickly trended on Weibo. Due to excessive crowds and chaotic order, the Xinjiekou store posted a sold-out notice and closed its entrance just five minutes before its official opening, while the Jiangning Jingfeng store continued operating. Police dispatched officers to maintain order and persuade citizens to leave. On some trading platforms, proxy purchasing and queuing services appeared, priced between 10 and 200 yuan. The Nanjing Market Supervision Bureau made it clear that scalping is illegal. People's Daily Online called on consumers to treat internet-famous brands rationally and not be led by merchants and scalpers. [more…]

Recently, two labor monitoring organizations released reports stating that during field investigations in Yunnan Province, China, they found that coffee farms in the supply chains of Starbucks and Nestlé may have situations that do not meet certification requirements. The reports revealed the so-called "ghost farms" and "coffee laundering" model—small family farms informally supply coffee beans to large certified estates, resulting in labor practices that may violate the terms of Starbucks C.A.F.E. Practices and Nestlé's 4C certification. Through undercover interviews, investigators found that farm workers are paid by picking weight, often needing to work from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, lacking paid leave, protective equipment, and contract protection. Both Starbucks and Nestlé stated they will seriously investigate and take necessary measures. [more…]

Starbucks partnered with Stayreal, the streetwear brand co-founded by Mayday lead singer Ashin and Taiwanese artist No2Good, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of the band's fans and netizens alike. The online limited-edition themed cups were snapped up by tens of thousands of people the moment they went on sale, with the official app and mini-program lagging due to overwhelming traffic. Some users failed to complete payment and missed out on the cups they wanted, sparking complaints. Meanwhile, the limited-edition Starbucks gift sets released at physical stores, thanks to their relatively low threshold for acquisition, attracted a large number of fans who queued up with stools in the early hours of the morning. This collaboration craze showcased the fans' frenzy while also exposing the inadequate capacity of online channels and the controversy over offline queuing rules. [more…]

New Zealand is not only famous for its wine; its coffee culture is equally captivating. Local travel itineraries often feature food and wine themes, and private guides can take you to find the best cafes in the city. If tourists are quite knowledgeable about coffee, travel agencies can even provide a detailed explanation of New Zealand coffee terminology. Among the many coffee varieties, flat white is widely recognized as a New Zealand invention, known for its lesser amount of milk and textured microfoam, and it has gained fame on the world coffee stage. Many New Zealanders and Australians go to major cities like London and New York to open cafes, which has indirectly promoted the popularity of flat white in the UK, the US, and elsewhere. Front Street Coffee believes that understanding the origin and characteristics of flat white is an important gateway to appreciating New Zealand's coffee culture. [more…]

The EU plans to postpone the deforestation regulation (EUDR) originally scheduled to take effect at the end of 2024, and intends to classify countries by risk level, giving producers and traders more time to adapt. The regulation requires traders to prove that their product supply chains do not involve deforestation after December 30, 2020, otherwise imports will be banned. As an industry closely linked to deforestation, the coffee sector will be significantly affected in producing countries such as Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, and Colombia, with export costs likely to rise substantially. The European Coffee Federation previously wrote to the European Commission requesting a postponement of implementation. The EU is currently discussing classifying exporting countries into three risk levels—low, standard, and high—with high-risk countries facing stricter scrutiny. Industry insiders worry that the classification system lacks flexibility, may unfairly penalize compliant exporters, and that small farms also face the risk of losing market access. Front Street Coffee will continue to monitor the progress of this regulation and its impact on the coffee industry chain. [more…]

Recently, feedback data from multiple international coffee traders indicates that Vietnam's coffee production for the 2024/25 season is expected to decrease by 10%, potentially hitting its lowest level in nearly a decade. The return of La Niña has further fueled market concerns. As the world's second-largest coffee producer and largest robusta grower, Vietnam experienced its most severe drought in nearly ten years this year, particularly affecting the early flowering stage from March to May, leading to a second consecutive year of reduced output. Although rainfall increased somewhat by the end of May, it was insufficient to offset the damage from the earlier drought, with some coffee trees dying or growing poorly. In addition, Typhoon Yagi and the impending La Niña phenomenon may bring more rainfall, further threatening agricultural output. International robusta coffee futures prices once hit a nearly half-century high due to drought and fires, and recently fell sharply on Brazilian rainfall, but the market still expects prices to continue fluctuating before the end of the year. [more…]

Coffee brand %Arabica recently launched a winter limited-edition new product, the "Vancouver Latte," featuring Canadian maple syrup, priced at 46 yuan, and has created themed stores in six cities nationwide. However, this coffee named after Vancouver has sparked collective teasing from local Chinese netizens because the brand has no branch in Vancouver. The new product is said to have very little actual flavor connection to Vancouver and is more like a sweetened hot latte. This article sorts out the new product information, naming logic, and netizen reactions, and reviews Arabica's past product strategy of naming products after cities, providing reference for coffee enthusiasts. [more…]

Recent coffee industry reports released by multiple countries show that the global coffee market is undergoing a series of significant changes. Vietnam's coffee export volume in January hit a record monthly high, and despite drought causing expectations of lower production, export performance remained strong. Rain in Brazil's main producing regions has benefited crop growth, and production for the new year is expected to increase year-on-year. At the same time, the Red Sea crisis continues to affect trade routes, prompting some traders to turn to Brazil to purchase robusta coffee beans. Arabica prices have remained stable due to steady exports from several Central American countries. Colombia's coffee production has risen sharply, becoming a bright spot in the Americas market. This article will review production and export data from major producing regions and analyze the current supply-demand landscape and future direction of the coffee market. [more…]

Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer, has suffered consecutive droughts and frosts, with its 2022/23 harvest falling far short of expectations. Certified coffee inventories on the ICE exchange have continued to decline, keeping coffee futures prices elevated. To ease the inventory crunch, ICE plans to re-grade and re-certify a batch of Brazilian Arabica old-crop beans that have been in storage for nearly two years and put them into trading. Although this move is not a violation of the rules, it has sparked concerns among traders about coffee quality and the mixing of old and new beans. This article will review the background of Brazil's reduced output, the logic behind futures price fluctuations, and the possible chain reactions that re-certifying old-crop beans may bring to the market. [more…]

Although coffee prices have recently retreated slightly from their highs, insufficient rainfall in Brazil's producing regions and continuously soaring domestic prices in Vietnam have cast a dark cloud over the supply side of the global coffee market. A combination of factors—Vietnamese coffee farmers holding back sales, traders struggling to fulfill contracts, and disruptions to Red Sea shipping—has pushed robusta coffee prices to a new record high. Meanwhile, Brazil's robusta exports have surged, and production expectations for the new crop season are optimistic, which may bring a glimmer of hope to the tight market supply. This article will sort through the key data and events behind coffee price fluctuations and assess the market outlook. [more…]

Recently, Chagee's new product "Wanli Mulan" quickly gained popularity due to its support for International Tea Day and the "100 Million Cups Free in 7 Days" campaign. However, many consumers reported insomnia and heart palpitations after drinking it, with some even seeking medical attention overnight for electrocardiograms. The brand's customer service explained that tea polyphenols in the black tea base might trigger allergic reactions. According to the public ingredient list, a medium 470ml cup of "Wanli Mulan" contains caffeine close to two shots of espresso. Similar issues have occurred with Chagee's other hit product, "Boyazhuxian." In fact, market regulators' spot checks found that some milk teas have caffeine levels far exceeding coffee; in 2020, a spot check in Haiyan County, Zhejiang, revealed caffeine levels up to 460mg/kg in milk teas and fruit teas. This article will focus on this incident, trace the origins of the caffeine issue in milk tea, and explore how brands should more clearly inform consumers about drinking risks. [more…]

Recently, global coffee market prices have remained high, with major producing regions such as Brazil and Vietnam successively encountering climate and market problems, compounded by the Red Sea shipping crisis, greatly increasing the operating pressure on traders. Below-average rainfall in Brazil has pushed arabica prices higher, but production estimates have been revised upward; Vietnamese coffee farmers are reluctant to sell and contract defaults are occurring frequently, and combined with expectations of El Niño drought, new-crop output may decline. At the same time, NKG, the world's largest green coffee trader, announced that it is expanding import, warehousing and distribution operations in Indonesia, targeting the country's rapidly growing consumer market and hoping to reduce shipping costs and time through regional trade in Asia. [more…]