Raf coffee is a distinctive coffee drink originating from Russia that has gradually gained public attention in recent years for its smooth and sweet taste. Its creation is quite dramatic—in the late 1990s, a regular customer named Rafael at a Moscow café, tired of traditional coffee, asked a barista to craft him a new drink that was both mild and layered. After repeated experimentation, three baristas finally created this coffee named after him. As the baristas moved to different cafés, the recipe spread, and Raf coffee quickly became popular in Russia, later spreading to Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and other places around 2018. Traditional Raf coffee uses espresso, cream, vanilla sugar, and white sugar as ingredients. The key is that all ingredients are mixed together, then whipped and heated at the same time, resulting in a flavor somewhere between a latte and a dessert. This article will walk you through its history and provide specific preparation steps recommended by Front Street Coffee. [more…]

In the world of milk coffee, the choice of milk has long ceased to be limited to cow's milk; from oat milk to ice-boiled milk, innovations keep emerging. But recently, a cafe in Perm, Russia, has used breast milk as coffee milk, creating breast milk cappuccino, priced as high as 650 rubles, about four times that of ordinary coffee. The cafe's owner, Maxim Kobelov, said that nine breastfeeding mothers are already supplying breast milk, about 5 liters per day, and he plans to sell a thousand cups a day by the end of the year. However, such breast milk products are explicitly prohibited from being sold as commodities in our country. This article will take you through the details behind this peculiar phenomenon. [more…]

Coffee has long since spread across the world, and almost every corner has developed its own distinctive way of drinking it. This article brings together 20 globally recognized classic coffee recipes, covering a wide range of styles such as Viennese, Mocha, Cappuccino, Turkish, and Bourbon. Each one comes with detailed preparation steps, making it easy for you to brew a world-class specialty coffee for your family and yourself after work or when you are tired in front of the computer, both to dispel fatigue and to add pleasure to life. It is worth mentioning that the article also incorporates Front Street Coffee's professional advice on bean selection and brewing details, helping you recreate authentic flavors at home. Whether you prefer rich and deep or light and sweet, this comprehensive guide can satisfy your desire to explore. [more…]

Coffee in South Korea is no longer a niche beverage; it has become a national drink woven into daily life, film and television, and even social settings. Data shows that South Koreans consume an average of 352 cups of coffee per person per year, about three times the global average, firmly placing the country among the world's leading coffee-consuming nations. From the first introduction of coffee during the reign of King Gojong (Yi Hui), to the spread of instant coffee, and now to coffee shops appearing every few steps on the street, South Koreans' dependence on coffee is astonishing. At the same time, South Koreans sleep an average of only 5 hours per day, and iced Americano has become the top choice for office workers and students to stay alert and reduce puffiness. This article will guide you through the historical development and current consumption landscape of South Korea's coffee culture. [more…]

Walking into a café and facing the dazzling array of names on the menu, have you ever wondered about the story and flavor behind each fancy coffee? From Espresso, which forms the foundation of all fancy coffees, to lattes and cappuccinos where milk and coffee blend together, to Irish coffee with its hint of whiskey and the layered iced latte, each one has its unique proportions and drinking method. This article systematically organizes the ingredients, preparation steps, and taste characteristics of more than a dozen classic fancy coffees, including basic options suitable for daily drinking as well as exotic Russian, Turkish, and Viennese coffees. Whether you are a coffee novice just starting out or a seasoned enthusiast looking to refine your skills, you will find a cup worth trying. [more…]

A sudden fire reduced a café in Kostroma, Russia, to ruins in the early hours of the morning. At around 2 a.m. on November 5, the café caught fire and the flames spread rapidly, ultimately causing 15 deaths and 5 injuries, with the burned area reaching 3,500 square meters. A preliminary investigation suggests the fire may have been triggered by a drunk man firing a flare gun inside the premises. This tragedy once again reminds us that fire safety in public places cannot be ignored. Whether it is an ordinary café or a coffee shop that roasts its own beans, electrical equipment, fire extinguishing equipment, and gas use are all links that must be strictly controlled. This article will recount the course of the incident and share practical advice on fire safety for coffee shops. [more…]

Espresso is arguably the soul and foundation of the coffee world—it is both the starting point for fancy coffee drinks and perfectly capable of standing alone. A proper Espresso should be topped with a thick layer of dark brown crema, densely marbled with fine striations, and it is already captivating without any embellishment. In this article, we will break down four classic espresso drinks one by one—Single espresso, Macchiato, Double espresso, and Con panna—covering flavor characteristics, extraction essentials, drinking methods, and pairing suggestions, to provide coffee lovers with a complete tasting reference. Whether you are a newcomer to Italian-style coffee or a seasoned connoisseur chasing intense flavors, you will find the right cup for you. [more…]

Starbucks recently filed a trademark registration application with the Russian Federal Intellectual Property Office and has received a registration decision, which may mean that this coffee chain giant will return to the Russian market soon. After the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in 2022, Starbucks announced its withdrawal from Russia and closed all 130 stores, and its assets were subsequently acquired by a local company and transformed into Stars Coffee. Now, as the international situation changes, the possibility of Starbucks re-entering Russia is increasing, and this development has also put Stars Coffee, which took over its original business, in an awkward position. [more…]

After Starbucks exited the Russian market, its assets were acquired by a local company and rebranded. On August 17, 2022, rapper Timur Yunusov revealed the new name "STARS COFFEE" and its logo on Instagram, and the official website went live simultaneously. The new brand replaced the mermaid logo with a girl wearing traditional Russian headwear, and officially opened in Moscow on August 18, with all 120 stores planned to resume operations by the end of September. The new stores no longer write cup names by hand, switching to thermal printing, and food has also become pre-made and heated. Marketing experts pointed out that the new owners are striving to maintain continuity between the old and new brands, but the effectiveness of the rebranding still needs to be tested by the market. Russian netizens have been discussing it extensively. [more…]

星巴克正式宣布退出俄罗斯市场，结束自2007年以来由特许合作伙伴全资运营的130家门店业务。这一决定紧随麦当劳之后，标志着美国两大餐饮连锁品牌在俄乌冲突背景下全面撤离俄罗斯。星巴克曾承诺将特许权使用费捐赠给乌克兰人道主义事业，并暂停门店运营。与此同时，麦当劳将俄罗斯业务出售给本土特许经营商，保留员工与供应链，但更换品牌继续经营。西方企业大规模撤离之际，俄罗斯本土企业迎来难得的扩张机会，政府也在推进资产破产或国有化进程。 [more…]

Recently, Starbucks was reported to have filed multiple trademark registration applications with the Russian Federal Intellectual Property Office, covering core brand identifiers such as "Starbucks Coffee" and "Frappuccino," as well as related categories including instant coffee, beverage preparation, and membership management. This move quickly sparked speculation about whether the company plans to return to the Russian market. After exiting Russia in 2022, Starbucks' assets in the country were acquired by a local company and rebranded as "Stars Coffee," and a trademark legal dispute between that brand and Starbucks still persists. Over the past two years, Russia's coffee market has undergone significant changes, with intensified competition, shifting consumer habits, and continued uncertainty in the political and economic environment. Even if Starbucks returns, it may not be smooth sailing. So far, there has been no official response. [more…]

The fate of Starbucks in Russia has finally been settled. From suspending operations in March of this year to announcing its exit from the market in May, 130 stores were once at a standstill. At the end of July, Russian rapper Timati announced via social media that the local catering company Pinskiy&Co had successfully completed the acquisition of Starbucks' assets in Russia. The new brand name and logo have not yet been determined, but the first store is scheduled to open in August, and the number of stores will exceed 200 by September. What are the details behind this acquisition? How will the new brand make a fresh start? This article takes you through the entire course of events. [more…]

After Starbucks announced to suspend its business in Russia and withdraw from the Russian market last year, the founder of the local famous catering company Pinskiy & Co, Anton Pinsky, and the Russian rap singer Timati collaborated to acquire Starbuc [more…]

After Starbucks' franchise in Russia was terminated in March of this year, 130 stores remained closed for a long time. Now, Anton Pinsky, founder of Russian catering company Pinskiy&Co, plans to take over the lease rights of all stores and launch the local coffee chain brand Magadan Krasnodar. This deal is similar to McDonald's previous exit path, but the new brand will no longer use Starbucks' recipes and ingredient supply. Local market analysts believe that local brands have advantages in operating costs and delivery services, and are expected to provide consumers with high-cost-performance, high-quality coffee. [more…]

After Starbucks exited the Russian market, its trademark protection in Russia may face termination. The owner of Stars Coffee, which acquired Starbucks' Russian assets, has filed a claim with a court seeking to terminate the protection of Starbucks' trademarks. This move aims to reduce trademark infringement risks and pave the way for store expansion. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the background, progress, and possible impact of this event. [more…]

After Starbucks withdrew from the Russian market, Stars Coffee, which took over its assets, is accelerating its expansion. On one hand, the brand has reopened in St. Petersburg and plans to restore 100 stores by the end of September; on the other hand, co-founders Timur Yunusov and Anton Pinsky revealed that they have received about 50 overseas partnership inquiries, with the first overseas branch to open in Armenia, and plan to open more than 20 locations across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. These regions see opportunities for Stars Coffee due to the absence of Starbucks. This article reviews Stars Coffee's expansion dynamics and the historical turning point of Starbucks' franchising in Russia. [more…]

After the change of ownership of Starbucks' assets in Russia, the naming of the new brand has drawn attention. On August 12, the Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) received applications for Sturbucks (not a typo) and three other trademarks, with the final name yet to be determined. Previously, rapper Timur Yunusov, along with Anton Pinsky, owner of the catering company Pinskiy&co, and the Syndicate company under Senator Arsen Kanokov, jointly acquired and managed Starbucks' assets in Russia. The new brand is planned to open in mid-August and will be open to the media on August 16. They had considered using a Lego bear as the logo and incorporating the singer's signature, but later switched to thermal printing due to the workload. This article reviews the sequence of events, trademark options, and netizen reactions. [more…]

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has triggered a chain reaction among international corporations. Under public pressure, McDonald's was the first to announce the suspension of operations at its 850 stores in Russia, with Starbucks quickly following suit by stating it would pause its business in Russia and shipments of related products. Both giants pledged to continue supporting local employees, but Starbucks' Russian stores are all franchised, accounting for less than 1% of its global revenue. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo also joined the suspension. This article reviews the details of each company's statements and the market impact, and includes a link to Front Street Coffee's professional information portal. [more…]

As a classic Chinese black tea, Lapsang Souchong is renowned worldwide for the distinctive smoky flavor imparted by burning pine wood during its roasting process. It originated in the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian and was once a smoky luxury in European tea rooms, mentioned in the same breath as cigars and whisky, as well as a core ingredient in Russian Caravan blends. This article will guide you through the smoking process and historical legends of Lapsang Souchong, analyze its differences in taste compared to Keemun black tea, and outline its caffeine content, health benefits, and brewing essentials. Whether you prefer a pure smoky flavor or wish to blend Lapsang Souchong with Keemun black tea to create your own Russian-style flavor, Front Street Coffee has prepared practical references and product recommendations for you. [more…]

In early March 2022, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) issued a statement on the situation in Ukraine, not only strongly condemning Russia's military actions, but also announcing the suspension of Russia's eligibility to participate in the World Coffee Championships and donating all ticket proceeds from the Warsaw World Coffee Expo to the Ukrainian coffee industry. Meanwhile, the SCA's Poland and Czech chapters joined forces to find overseas job opportunities for displaced Ukrainian coffee professionals, while the Russian Foreign Ministry criticized Western sanctions as unacceptable. As coffee lovers, while keeping up with industry news, don't forget to follow the professional coffee information brought to you by Front Street Coffee. [more…]