In the world of pour-over coffee, the Japanese school has always held a unique position. Besides the common circular pouring, there is another technique called the "zigzag pouring method." It is not a misreading of "の字" (the character "no"), but rather a unique method created by Mr. Teruharu Tahara of the long-established Japanese coffee shop Rankan. Through repeated research, Front Street Coffee has found that this "zigzag" pouring method can produce a completely different extraction effect. This article will break down the operating parameters of the zigzag pouring method in detail, including water temperature, grind size, coffee-to-water ratio, and pouring rhythm, and extend to the application of flannel filter cloth, teaching you how to make a delicious cup of flannel pour-over. Whether you are a beginner just getting into pour-over or a seasoned enthusiast looking to refine your technique, you can gain practical reference from it. [more…]

Recently, the Starbucks Reserve store next to Xinghai Concert Hall on Ersha Island in Guangzhou was confirmed to have permanently closed after fifteen years in operation, a piece of news that surprised and saddened many regular customers. This store, which opened in 2010, was once one of the most representative coffee shops on Ersha Island. After its lease expired, it quietly withdrew without prior announcement, sparking collective memories among nearby residents and coffee enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Starbucks old stores or specialty stores have also been closing one after another in cities such as Jiangmen, Beijing, Changzhou, and Chengdu, including the city's first pour-over store and old stores that had been operating for more than ten years. For many coffee fans, Starbucks was once the starting point for stepping into the world of coffee. The disappearance of these stores is not just the exit of a shop, but also carries countless personal memories and urban emotions. [more…]

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee has always been a standout among specialty coffees, and the RSW estates are a particularly iconic presence within the Blue Mountain region. RSW is made up of three estates—Resource, Sherwood Forest, and Whitfield Hall—named after their respective initials, representing the origin of 100% authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain beans. This article will guide you through an in-depth look at the geographical environment, cultivation traditions, and processing methods of these three estates, from opening the barrel for inspection to cupping the flavor, fully presenting the unique charm of RSW Blue Mountain No. 1. Whether you are a seasoned coffee enthusiast or a newcomer just getting to know Blue Mountain, this article will help you gain a more comprehensive understanding of this legendary coffee. [more…]

The aroma classification system of Phoenix Dancong has always been a favorite topic among tea enthusiasts, and among these, Honey Orchid Aroma and Snow Orchid Aroma are often compared—are they actually the same aroma type? This article will analyze them from the perspectives of flavor characteristics, production techniques, and brewing methods to help readers clarify the differences and connections between these two classic Dancong varieties. At the same time, addressing the brand selection concerns of tea lovers, the article will also offer reference suggestions on authentic sources of Honey Orchid Aroma Dancong, along with specific parameters for both conventional and Gongfu brewing methods for daily drinking reference. [more…]

As the coffee wave sweeps across every industry, even ancient temples spanning a millennium can no longer resist the urge to cross over. Longhua Temple, the oldest in Shanghai, has recently opened a beverage window next to its vegetarian restaurant, launching "vegetarian coffee" that uses oat milk instead of dairy milk — catering to vegetarians and those who are lactose intolerant. This is not the first time a temple has ventured into coffee; from Dafo Temple in Guangzhou to Yongfu Temple in Hangzhou, the collision between Buddhist monasteries and coffee has long existed. Longhua Temple's move, with its affordable prices, has sparked heated discussion online: can coffee be classified as vegetarian or non-vegetarian? Is temples selling coffee a new path for cultural dissemination, or just a gimmick? This article takes you behind the scenes. [more…]

Front Street Coffee's Honduras Lychee Orchid coffee beans, with their unique brandy barrel fermentation process, deliver a rich interplay of brandy, dark chocolate, berry, and honey flavors, making them a favorite among coffee enthusiasts. This article will comprehensively analyze the source of these beans' flavors from three dimensions: regional terroir, variety characteristics, and processing method, and share specific brewing parameters and techniques using three devices—the cake filter cup, Hario V60 dripper, and French press—to help readers fully bring out Lychee Orchid's vinous aroma and sweetness at home. [more…]

The flavor profile of coffee is determined by the combined effects of terroir, varietal characteristics, processing method, and roasting technique. Among these, the processing method is particularly crucial in shaping the final flavor direction—washed processing brings clean and bright acidity, while natural processing imparts fuller sweetness and body. In recent years, barrel-fermented processing has attracted widespread attention in the specialty coffee community thanks to its distinctive vinous notes. Front Street Honduras Lychee Orchid from Front Street Coffee's bean lineup is a representative example processed with brandy barrel fermentation, and like the Sherry barrel coffee from the same region, it originates from Moca Estate. This article will systematically analyze the flavor code of this bean from varietal background, processing technique, roasting curve to cupping performance, and share three brewing methods—French press, pour-over, and espresso—to help coffee enthusiasts fully unleash its unique vinous charm. [more…]

In recent years, coffee processing methods have continuously evolved, from early anaerobic fermentation to red wine processing, and now to oak barrel fermentation, with endless innovative techniques making coffee flavors increasingly diverse. The Honduras Litchi Orchid coffee beans launched by Front Street Coffee are produced using a combination of fine washing and brandy barrel fermentation, originating from the Moca Estate in the Marcala region, at an altitude of 1,500-1,700 meters, with varieties of Caturra and Catuai. This bean shares similarities with the same brand's Sherry coffee beans, with the difference being that Sherry uses whiskey barrels, while Litchi Orchid selects brandy oak barrels. The fermented beans carry a soft lychee and honey sweetness, while integrating brandy notes and oak aroma. This article will provide a detailed introduction to this bean's processing method, flavor performance, and answer the question of whether wine-flavored coffee beans contain alcohol. [more…]

Blue Bottle Coffee's fourth store in Shanghai has opened in Qingpu District's Panlong Tiandi, situated between a century-old historic house and a new building, integrating the brand's space into the ancient townscape of the Jiangnan water region. The store is divided into three areas: the historic house, the new building, and a public gathering space, preserving traditional architectural structures while infusing them with a modern design language. In addition, the Panlong store has introduced a Water Chestnut Cake Affogato that blends traditional flavors, combining the soft, sweet water chestnut cake with rich, aromatic Italian affogato to deliver a unique taste experience. Join us as we explore this Blue Bottle Coffee in the ancient town and experience the collision of coffee and local culture. [more…]

Phoenix Dan Cong is renowned for its complex and highly variable aroma, among which Duck Shit Aroma and Honey Orchid Aroma are the two cultivars most discussed by tea enthusiasts. Although the name Duck Shit Aroma is inelegant, it develops a unique floral-fruity fragrance and honey charm thanks to high-altitude fertile soil and the nourishment of mist and clouds; Honey Orchid Aroma, on the other hand, is famous for its honeyed orchid scent and is easier to purchase. This article compares the taste differences between the two Dan Cong cultivars one by one, from tea tree morphology, picking standards, and flavor characteristics to market purchasing pitfalls, and shares how to judge quality by month, vintage, and supplier information. Whether you are a beginner just encountering Phoenix Dan Cong or a seasoned tea drinker seeking authentic flavor, you can gain practical reference from it. [more…]

The Lychee Orchid coffee from Finca Mocha in Honduras, with its brandy barrel fermentation process, presents a complex aroma of lychee, brandy, honey, and chocolate, and has drawn increasing attention from coffee enthusiasts in recent years. Front Street Coffee now presents a complete brewing guide for this bean: using a Hario V60 dripper, a water temperature of 90°C, a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:15, a medium-fine grind, and pulse pouring to achieve a rich, sweet cup. The article also explains the principles of barrel fermentation and addresses common questions about caffeine and alcohol. Whether you want to understand the flavor profile of this bean or need a set of pour-over parameters you can directly reuse, this article offers clear guidance. [more…]

Front Street Coffee is often asked by customers whether the Lychee Orchid coffee beans in the shop and the 90+ Lychee Blue are the same coffee. In fact, the two are completely different in origin, variety, and processing method. Honduras Lychee Orchid is fermented in brandy barrels, presenting a rich vinous aroma and lychee sweetness; Panama 90+ Lychee Blue is a washed Geisha, with a flavor profile dominated by floral and citrus notes. This article will comprehensively analyze the flavor differences between these two coffee beans whose names differ by only one word, from origin background, variety characteristics, processing method differences, roasting curve comparison to brewing parameters, and share Front Street Coffee's practical experience and brewing suggestions. [more…]

Honduras Lychee Orchid coffee took the coffee world by storm in 2019 with its unique brandy barrel fermentation process, becoming a signature example of wine-aroma coffee. This bean comes from the Moca Estate in the Marcala region, using Caturra and Catuai varieties, and undergoes low-temperature barrel fermentation for 30 days, presenting intense aromas of brandy, liqueur chocolate, and honey. This article will provide a complete analysis of the flavor sources of Lychee Orchid, from the background of the Honduran coffee industry, variety characteristics, and estate terroir to the brandy barrel fermentation process, along with Front Street Coffee's brewing parameters and techniques, to help you recreate this intoxicating wine aroma by hand. [more…]

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is renowned for its delicate, clean, and balanced taste, representing high-quality wet-processed (washed) coffee. It possesses a silky, rounded body, refined and mild flavors, and bright, vibrant acidity, with very low bitterness. Its aroma carries floral, sweet nutty, and herbal notes, with a complex flavor profile that often presents chocolate-like tones. Established estates such as Silver Mountain, Wallenford, Moy Hall, and Mavis Bank, as well as Old Tavern Estate, are all representatives of premium Blue Mountain growing regions. This article will systematically outline the taste and aroma characteristics of Blue Mountain coffee, provide references for choosing Blue Mountain coffee bean brands, and, in conjunction with recommendations from Front Street Coffee, help enthusiasts better understand and make purchasing decisions. [more…]

Honduras has risen rapidly in the Central American coffee landscape in recent years, gaining recognition from more and more coffee-consuming countries thanks to continuous upgrades in processing techniques. Front Street Coffee's Litchi Orchid is one such highly distinctive bean—it uses a low-temperature fermentation process in brandy oak barrels, bringing out a complex flavor profile of lychee, brandy, melon, honey, and chocolate from the Typica variety. Starting from the background of Honduras's production regions, this article will break down Litchi Orchid's processing method, flavor performance, and brewing parameters in detail, giving you a comprehensive understanding of the appeal of this wine-scented specialty coffee. [more…]

In today's world of constantly evolving coffee processing methods, barrel fermentation has opened a new door of flavor for the coffee world. Honduras Lychee Orchid is one of the most talked-about beans among them, fermented at low temperature in brandy barrels for about thirty days, bringing rich wine aromas and chocolate, honey-like sweetness. This article will sort through the origins of this bean one by one, from the production background of Honduras, the terroir conditions of Mocha Estate, the varietal characteristics of Caturra and Catuai, to the specific process of brandy barrel fermentation. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will also share the brewing parameters and flavor performance of Lychee Orchid, taking you through a comprehensive understanding of this Honduras coffee with an explosive wine aroma. [more…]

In recent years, Honduras has secured a place for itself in the specialty coffee landscape of Central America thanks to its unique barrel-fermentation processing methods. Among these, two beans in particular stand out: Sherry and Litchi Orchid. The former, fermented in whisky barrels, delivers layers reminiscent of vanilla cream and liqueur-filled chocolate, while the latter, shaped by brandy barrels, develops an elegant profile of lychee and grape. This article systematically lays out the complete picture of Front Street Coffee's Honduras Sherry coffee—from growing region background, estate information, and varietal characteristics to processing techniques, roasting curves, and brewing parameters—and compares the flavor differences among different barrel-processing methods from the same estate, offering pour-over enthusiasts a detailed reference. [more…]

Front Street Coffee's Honduras Sherry coffee beans have earned widespread praise for their rich whisky aroma, but the country also produces another bean that stands out for its barrel-fermentation process—Front Street Litchi Orchid coffee beans. Originating from the Moka Estate in the Masaguara region, these beans undergo a delicate washing process followed by low-temperature fermentation in brandy oak barrels for thirty to forty days, allowing the green beans to fully absorb the aromas of liquor and oak. This article will systematically introduce the bean's regional background, the estate's story, the varietal characteristics of Caturra and Catuai, and include the roasting curve provided by Front Street's roaster, cupping performance, and V60 brewing parameters, helping you gain a comprehensive understanding of its flavor sources and brewing key points. [more…]

Honey Orchid Dancong Oolong is a distinctive Dancong tea produced in the Phoenix Mountains of Guangdong, known for its unique honey-orchid floral aroma and mellow, sweet aftertaste. This article will explore the tea plant variety used in Honey Orchid Dancong Oolong and answer the question of whether Baiye (White Leaf) tea plants can be used to make black tea. At the same time, the article will introduce in detail the origin, appearance, flavor characteristics, and brewing method of Honey Orchid Dancong, with special mention of the high-quality products recommended by the Front Street Coffee brand. Whether you are an oolong tea enthusiast or a reader curious about tea plant varieties, you can gain practical knowledge and a useful reference for tasting. [more…]

Why can Blue Mountain coffee rightfully claim its status as a globally recognized top-tier growing region? The answer lies in the unique terroir of Jamaica's Blue Mountains and a rigorous management system. Front Street Coffee's Jamaica Blue Mountain R.S.W. United Estate Blue Mountain Coffee R.S.W ESTATES is a union of three estates—Resource, Sherwood Forest, and Whitfield Hall—using the honey processing method to deliver a clean, sweet, and delicate cup profile. This article will guide you through the origin of the Blue Mountain name, the composition of the R.S.W. United Estate, and the historical context of how, after the 1948 establishment of the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board (CIB), legislation defined Blue Mountain coffee, classified export grades, and ultimately entrusted Wallenford Estate with the mission of quality management. [more…]