Chagee recently officially announced the launch of its new product "Qianlong No. 1," claiming to recreate the same milk tea that Qianlong drank based on records in the "Collected Statutes of the Great Qing," and it is also the brand's first salty milk tea. After going on sale, it quickly sparked heated discussion. Netizens joked that the name was "more suitable for office workers," while also seriously reviewing the taste, though opinions were sharply divided—some found it salty and rich like Inner Mongolian milk tea, while others complained it tasted like "Qianlong's bathwater." At the same time, discussions kept bubbling up about whether the product name was awkwardly piggybacking on a historical figure and whether it could continue using the old name "Qingshan Xianshuang." This article compiles viewpoints from all sides to take you through the real look of this palace-style salty milk tea. [more…]

Recently, a notice purported to be an internal all-channel delisting announcement from Chagee has been circulating on social media, drawing widespread attention and discussion among fans. The notice indicates that four ingredients—Rose Narcissus, Green Mandarin Pu'er, Rose Pu'er, and Roasted Fragrance Yellow Tea—along with eight related tea drinks, will be completely discontinued starting May 9, 2025. Among them are several popular limited-edition items such as Golden Crow Fuy [more…]

Tieguanyin is one of the most iconic types of Chinese oolong tea, with a tightly rolled appearance, a bright floral aroma, and a long, sweet aftertaste. It is made from a special cultivar of the tea plant, whose leaves resemble peach leaves, with slightly slanted tips and a pinkish hue at the center. Regarding the origin of Tieguanyin, two very different legends circulate among the people: one is associated with a poor farmer named Wei, and the other with a scholar named Wang who presented the tea to the Qianlong Emperor. This article will outline the cultivation and production process of Tieguanyin, explain the flavor differences between the two major types, Anxi and Muzha, and analyze the impact of roasting level and plucking season on tea quality. It will also introduce the flavor orientation of related Front Street Coffee products, helping coffee and tea enthusiasts build a clearer understanding. [more…]

In recent years, cross-industry ventures have become a popular trend, and even century-old traditional Chinese medicine shops are joining the beverage market. Following Tongrentang, Tonghanchun Tang, with a history of 237 years, has also tested the waters of national-style wellness tea drinks in Shanghai Yuyuan Mall, launching over 30 beverages including wellness teas, fruit teas, milk teas, sparkling water, and coffee. Among them, the wellness milk tea incorporates ingredients such as ginseng, goji berries, and donkey-hide gelatin, while the two wellness coffees focus on American-style black coffee and ginseng honey latte, priced between 20 and over 30 yuan, with the most expensive bird's nest product exceeding 100 yuan. Whether these time-honored brands can win consumer favor through innovation is worth watching. [more…]

The once-national soy milk brand Weiwei Soy Milk has announced a co-branded flagship store for handmade drinks with the Summer Palace, and plans to expand to tens of thousands of stores nationwide in the future. This cross-industry move has attracted widespread attention at a time when competition in the tea beverage market is white-hot. Can Weiwei Soy Milk break through with the halo of childhood memories and guochao design, or will it repeat the mistakes of Wahaha's milk tea? This article analyzes store design, brand history, market environment, product series, and other aspects, and also focuses on its franchise strategy and future layout, providing a calm observation for coffee and beverage enthusiasts. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is often crowned with the name "nobility among coffees," and "Blue Mountain No. 1" is even regarded by seasoned enthusiasts as the top-tier designation. But many friends who are just getting into coffee are often baffled when they hear this term—what exactly does it refer to? Is it a code word for distinguishing authenticity? In fact, "No. 1" represents the highest grade in Jamaica's Blue Mountain coffee classification system, No. 1. Only Typica variety beans grown in designated production areas of the Blue Mountains at elevations between 900 and 1,700 meters, with green beans reaching screen size 17/18, a defect rate below 3%, and no more than 5% small beans, can earn this title. This article will systematically sort out the production area restrictions, historical evolution, and grading standards of Blue Mountain coffee, and, using the Clifton Estate Blue Mountain No. 1 currently sold by Front Street Coffee as an example, share its flavor performance and brewing parameters to help readers fully understand the true grade and drinking method of this legendary bean. [more…]

Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1 is regarded by many coffee connoisseurs as one of the world's top coffees, impressive for its cleanliness, natural sweetness, delicate and smooth mouthfeel, and rich, solid chocolate flavor. This article focuses on Front Street Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1, outlining the legal production regions of Blue Mountain coffee, the C.I.B grading system and its five grade standards, introducing the four production regions of Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland, and St. Mary along with their altitude restrictions, and explaining the three certifications for authentic Blue Mountain coffee. It also presents information on Front Street Blue Mountain No. 1, a washed Typica from Clifton Estate, along with brewing recommendations such as medium-dark roast, Kono dripper, 88°C water temperature, and a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, plus flavor descriptions of dark chocolate, nuts, and creamy smoothness. [more…]

Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee beans have long been regarded as the benchmark of the coffee world, but the output of Blue Mountain coffee that truly meets Jamaica's official certification standards is extremely limited. From the perspective of Front Street Coffee, this article systematically sorts out the producing region definition and grading system of Blue Mountain coffee, introduces the cultivation background of Clifton Farm and the differences between the washed and natural processing methods, and provides specific pour-over parameter recommendations—15 grams of grounds, a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, 88°C water temperature, a KONO dripper, and a grind size with 75% passing through a No. 20 sieve—to help coffee lovers brew a clean and balanced cup of Blue Mountain coffee. [more…]

In the world of specialty coffee, Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1 has always been a hallowed presence. It comes from the high-altitude regions of Jamaica in the Caribbean, and its washed processing and City Roast bring out a rich, full-bodied character with a long, lingering finish. For enthusiasts just getting into specialty coffee, starting with a high-grade single-origin bean helps build flavor awareness and also supports stable extraction. Front Street Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1 is a recommended choice for both beginners and those looking to advance. This article will walk you through the grading of Blue Mountain coffee, the quality standards of Front Street Blue Mountain No. 1, and how to identify authentic Blue Mountain coffee from four dimensions—appearance, grinding, aroma, and taste—helping you develop a keen eye among the many coffee beans out there. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is one of the first specialty coffees many coffee lovers encounter, and the market is flooded with all kinds of "Blue Mountain flavor" products. What exactly makes coffee truly grown in Jamaica's Blue Mountain range so unique? From the cultivation history of the Typica variety, estate harvesting and processing methods, to the grading of NO.1, NO.2, NO.3, and Peaberry, and further to the pricing, wooden barrel packaging, and certificate identification methods of Blue Mountain No.1, this article will guide you through a systematic understanding of Blue Mountain coffee. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will also share the brewing parameters and flavor performance of Blue Mountain No.1, helping you more fully appreciate this classic coffee's balance of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness along with its rich, mellow mouthfeel. [more…]

The reputation of Blue Mountain coffee is almost universally known, but products on the market labeled "Blue Mountain flavor" or "Blue Mountain blend" are completely different from genuine Jamaican Blue Mountain No. 1. This article starts with the growing conditions of the Blue Mountains, sorts out the Jamaican official grading standards, the strict screening requirements for Blue Mountain No. 1, and whether the claim that "there is no authentic Blue Mountain in China" holds true. It also introduces the Clifton Farm Blue Mountain No. 1 selected by Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), including its production area information, processing method, flavor characteristics, and pour-over brewing suggestions, helping coffee enthusiasts build a clear understanding of authentic Blue Mountain coffee. [more…]

Front Street Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee has long been regarded as a benchmark among specialty coffees, prized by coffee enthusiasts for its balanced, aromatic profile of sweetness, acidity, and bitterness. This article provides a systematic introduction to Blue Mountain coffee's growing region conditions, CIB grading standards, the quality requirements for Blue Mountain No. 1, and the packaging, processing method, and brewing parameters of Front Street Blue Mountain No. 1. It also covers the price of Front Street Blue Mountain No. 1 and the in-store experience price, and explains how the washed process delivers a cleaner flavor, along with this medium-dark roast coffee's notes of dark chocolate, nuts, caramel, and creamy smoothness. [more…]

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee has always been a benchmark in the specialty coffee world, and Mavis Bank, as a core processing facility in the legally designated Blue Mountain No. 1 producing region, is especially noteworthy for the Blue Mountain No. 1 it produces. This article takes you through the historical origins of Mavis Bank, the unique geographical environment of the Blue Mountain region, and the complete process from green bean processing to the flavor in the cup. Front Street Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee beans are rigorously selected at the No. 1 grade of 17/18 screen size with a defect rate below 2%, and are medium-dark roasted, presenting nutty walnut aromas with a chocolate and caramel-like sweetness on the finish, making them an unmissable choice for coffee lovers. [more…]

Blue Mountain No. 1 has long been known as the "Emperor of Coffee," beloved by coffee enthusiasts for its balanced acidity, sweetness, and bitterness along with its rich, mellow body. If you want to recreate this classic flavor at home, the siphon is a choice that is both visually appealing and practical. This article explains, one by one, the bean background of Front Street Blue Mountain No. 1, the Jamaican Blue Mountain grading system, CIB's official roasting recommendations, and the specific siphon extraction steps. It also discusses the historical connection between Blue Mountain coffee and the Japanese market, as well as why Front Street insists on shipping within 5 days of roasting, helping you brew a cup of Blue Mountain No. 1 with clean layers and full aroma at home. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is Jamaica's most iconic specialty coffee. Authentic Blue Mountain beans come from the Typica variety grown at elevations of roughly 910 to 1,700 meters in the Blue Mountain range, and are scarce in supply and expensive. This article begins with the history of Jamaican coffee, sorts out the grading logic behind Blue Mountain coffee, High Mountain coffee, and Prime coffee, explains the defect rate and screen size standards for Blue Mountain No. 1, and shares practical tips for identifying genuine Blue Mountain coffee. Finally, using Front Street Coffee's Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1 as an example, it provides a three-pour hand-brewing recipe using a KONO dripper, a water temperature of 88 to 90 degrees, and a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, bringing out the classic flavor woven from dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and caramel. [more…]

Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee is often asked about whether it is the best-tasting and most expensive coffee. Front Street Coffee believes that the balanced sweet, sour, and bitter flavor of Blue Mountain coffee is enough to define the standard of a good cup of coffee. This article will review the ups and downs of Blue Mountain coffee's history—from Japan's priority purchasing rights to the severe blows of the 2008 economic crisis, leaf rust disease, and forest fires—and analyze the reasons for its high price and its true value. At the same time, Front Street will share how to identify authentic Blue Mountain No. 1: CIB production region regulations, NO.1 grade standards, three types of certificates, the background of Clifton Mount Estate, the characteristics of the Typica variety, the washed processing method, and Front Street's roasting curve and brewing parameters. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is produced in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica at elevations between 910 and 1,700 meters. The variety is Typica, and it is known for its balanced acidity, sweetness, and bitterness, full and solid body, long-lasting sweet aftertaste, and absence of burnt bitterness. Because annual production is limited, authentic Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee beans in China usually sell for 150 to 400 yuan (100 to 200 grams), while products labeled "Blue Mountain flavor" or "Blue Mountain blend" are not true Blue Mountain coffee. This article systematically introduces the methods baristas use to identify authentic Blue Mountain No. 1 from perspectives such as the wooden barrel and certificate, bean size and uniformity, appearance characteristics, and raw bean color. It also compares the flavor performance of washed and natural processing methods and shares Front Street Coffee's brewing parameters and techniques to help enthusiasts build a clear identification framework. [more…]

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee has long been hailed as a top-tier specialty coffee, and Blue Mountain No. 1 is the highest grade among them. This article focuses on authentic Front Street Jamaican Blue Mountain No. 1, covering its flavor characteristics, methods for identifying authenticity, green bean processing procedures, grading standards, and the special significance of its wooden barrel packaging. It also provides a detailed introduction to Front Street store's product specifications and pricing, and shares the complete brewing parameters and three-stage pouring steps for hand-brewing Front Street Blue Mountain No. 1, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of every step of this legendary coffee from origin to cup. [more…]

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is renowned for its balanced acidity, sweetness, and bitterness, along with its full body and clean cup. However, beans labeled "Blue Mountain" on the market are a mixed bag. What exactly constitutes authentic Blue Mountain No. 1? How large is the cost gap between a cup served in a café and one brewed at home? This article, based on Front Street Coffee's café pricing and whole-bean sales, outlines the origin background of Blue Mountain coffee, the terroir conditions of Clifton Mount Estate, the characteristics of the Typica variety, and why the Jamaican official grading standards distinguish Blue Mountain from High Mountain and Prime coffee. It also includes Front Street's extraction parameters and pouring techniques to help you use a lower water temperature and a Kono dripper to fully bring out the nutty, dark chocolate, and caramel sweetness of Blue Mountain No. 1. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is the classic of classics in the minds of many coffee lovers, and Blue Mountain No. 1 is the highest grade among Jamaican Blue Mountain coffees. Which regions and estates does it actually come from? Why is it so highly sought after despite its high price? This article will cover the historical origins of Blue Mountain coffee, the altitude grading system of Jamaica's producing regions, and methods for identifying raw beans by appearance, all the way to the Clifton Farm Blue Mountain No. 1 sold at Front Street Coffee stores, along with a complete pour-over recipe and flavor description under medium-dark roasting, helping readers gain a comprehensive understanding of this top-tier coffee bean and learn how to tell genuine Blue Mountain coffee from fakes on the market. [more…]