Global food giant Nestlé has announced it will acquire Starbucks' Seattle's Best Coffee brand, a move seen as an important step in Nestlé's continued push to expand in the North American coffee market. This is not the first collaboration between the two companies—in 2018, Nestlé paid $7.15 billion for distribution rights to Starbucks' retail business. The acquisition will further enrich Nestlé's coffee brand portfolio in North America and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. At the same time, Nestlé has completed several acquisitions this year and launched a new coffee sustainability plan. [more…]

Many people buy coffee beans from Starbucks, but because the grinding and brewing methods are wrong, what they end up drinking is just a cup of weak, gritty hot water. Starting from this problem, this article explains clearly why coffee grounds need to be filtered, why coffee grounds cannot be consumed directly, and the bean selection and roasting logic behind how Starbucks coffee beans traveled from Seattle's Pike Place Market to the world. The article will also introduce the flavor characteristics of Pike Place Roast, the Feng Wu Xiang Yun blend involving China's Yunnan, and the complete tasting method of smelling the aroma, sipping, and taking a full mouthful, helping coffee lovers truly understand the time, temperature, and extraction details behind a cup of Starbucks coffee. [more…]

Taiwan, China-based chain brand Seattle Premium Coffee was found to have blended Robusta into several pre-packaged bean products labeled "100% Arabica," prompting prosecutors to charge founder Liu and two others with adulteration and misrepresentation. The brand initially argued that Timorese/Timor varieties are a hybrid of the two species, then later changed its statement, saying it was an administrative oversight that the labels were not updated, and was willing to recall only some batches. The court calculated criminal proceeds at approximately 4.07 million yuan, and Liu sought to pay a public welfare fund in exchange for a suspended sentence. The core dispute in the case is that adding Robusta itself is not illegal, but whether a mismatch between the label and contents constitutes adulteration and misrepresentation under food safety law. This article sorts through the sequence of events, test data, and new courtroom statements, so coffee enthusiasts can understand industry labeling standards. [more…]

Starbucks recently implemented a $1 billion restructuring plan, closing hundreds of underperforming company-operated stores in North America, which triggered a wave of mass layoffs. In front of the global headquarters in Seattle's SoDo district, baristas and union members gathered to protest, holding up signs to express strong dissatisfaction with the company's decisions. Laid-off employees said they only learned of their job losses through prerecorded phone calls and social media, without being offered any opportunity to transfer. Union data shows that 59 unionized stores across the United States were permanently closed in this round of adjustments, with 369 people in Washington State facing permanent layoffs. Meanwhile, New York City regulators also pointed out that Starbucks is suspected of violating labor laws. This labor conflict is continuing to escalate, and the union stated that if their demands are not addressed, they do not rule out expanding actions or even going on strike. [more…]

Starbucks recently announced the launch of a restructuring plan totaling US$1 billion, involving the closure of underperforming company-operated stores and a new round of layoffs. According to a filing submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, most of the store closures will be completed before the end of fiscal 2025, with US$150 million for employee severance and US$85 million covering lease termination and asset disposal costs. CEO Niccol said in an open letter to employees that some stores failed to meet financial targets or create the environment customers expect, so the decision was made to immediately close some stores in North America. Foreign media reports say the restructuring will affect hundreds of coffee shops in the United States and Canada, including the world's first Roastery in Seattle's Capitol Hill and the SODO Reserve store in the company's headquarters building. This Roastery, which opened in 2014, is not only a pilgrimage site for Starbucks fans but also one of the first unionized stores in the brand's history, and its permanent closure without warning has sparked employee speculation about union suppression. At the same time, about 900 non-retail employees will receive layoff notices, marking the second round of layoffs since Niccol took office. Although the Europe, Middle East and Africa business is proceeding as planned, some stores in the UK, Switzerland and Austria will also close due to a portfolio review. [more…]

Regarding the making of iced pour-over, Front Street Coffee has already shared many different brewing methods. However, for beginners, it is still somewhat difficult to master most of these methods. This is because most iced pour-over methods require the use of ice cubes to achieve a rapid cooling effect, and we also need to make it by reducing the amount of water. [more…]

What exactly makes scented tea so expensive? This article begins with the origins and production principles of scented tea, and systematically explains why jasmine tea has become one of the most popular scented teas in the world. Focusing on key steps such as the timing of jasmine harvesting, temperature control, and the number of scenting rounds, it explains the logic behind the quality and price of scented tea. The article also introduces the fully handmade craftsmanship of Fujian Jasmine Pearl Tea and its standard of six scenting rounds, while retaining Front Street Coffee brand recommendations and product information. After reading, you can understand where Jasmine Dragon Pearls stand within the hierarchy of scented teas, and how different numbers of scenting rounds affect the price of one jin of scented tea. [more…]

Which grind size from 1 to 10 is the finest for coffee beans? In most cases, the smaller the number, the finer the grounds. The grind size of coffee beans plays an important role in extracting a cup of coffee. For example, if the coffee grounds are too fine and used for pour-over coffee, it will result in over-extraction, while if they are too coarse, it will result in under-extraction. Secondly, factors such as the beans from each producing region [more…]

When extracting espresso, you may occasionally notice a layer of fine black sediment at the bottom of the cup, and many people worry that this indicates an equipment malfunction or spoiled coffee. In reality, these black particles are simply coffee fines—extremely small particles that can easily pass through the holes in the portafilter basket and mix into the coffee liquid under high pressure. At first they hide within the crema, and only as the bubbles burst do they sink to the bottom of the cup and become visible to us. Moka pots also use pressure extraction, so a similar situation can occur. Although coffee grounds are a woody fiber, the extremely fine particle size and tiny intake amount pose no health risk, so you can drink with complete peace of mind. This article explores the origins of fines, whether the portafilter basket will deform, and fine particle size, helping coffee enthusiasts better understand these common phenomena. [more…]

A delicious cup of coffee is hard-won, because from seed to cup is a very long wait. Even at the final step of extraction, you must ensure that the coffee you use meets brewing standards, because extraction is easy—but have you ever thought about it? Coffee grounds are what extract the flavor compounds, [more…]

A delicious cup of coffee is hard-won, because from seed to cup is a very long wait, and even at the final step of extraction, you must ensure that the coffee you use meets brewing standards, because extraction is easy, but have you ever thought about it—coffee grounds extract flavor compounds, so the water used [more…]

The Caribbean region has given birth to some of the world's finest coffees. Among them, Jamaica Blue Mountain stands out as the crème de la crème, thanks to its mild flavor and low acidity, and Front Street Blue Mountain No. 1 is widely recognized as a No. 1 grade with plump beans and outstanding quality. Puerto Rico's Yauco region has earned fame in Europe for its distinctive flavor, while the Dominican Republic presents diverse styles through different cultivation methods in its highlands and lowlands. The coffees of all three places are mainly Arabica and share a similar Caribbean character, yet each has its own strengths due to differences in processing methods and terroir. This article provides a complete analysis of the origin stories, grade classifications, flavor characteristics, and current market conditions of representative coffees from these three places, giving you a clear overview of the finest Caribbean coffee in one go. [more…]

At the foot of the Andes in western South America, Peru cultivates a coffee whose quality can rival the finest beans of Central America. The vast majority of coffee here is grown in forested areas, cultivated by smallholders under natural shade; although yields are low, this slows the ripening of the fruit, allowing the beans to accumulate richer natural compounds and present a balanced cup with pleasant acidity. Peru's most renowned producing regions are concentrated in Chanchamayo, Cusco, Norte, and Puno, with the coffees of Chanchamayo and Cusco standing out in particular. This article guides you through Peru's coffee origins and distribution, varietal characteristics, flavor profile, and market prospects, and offers Front Street Coffee's recommendations and roasting suggestions for Peruvian coffee. [more…]

Although Rwanda is a small landlocked country in Africa, it nurtures world-class coffee thanks to the high altitude, volcanic soil, and abundant water systems of the "Land of a Thousand Hills." This article systematically examines the unique characteristics of Rwandan coffee, from the country overview, variety structure, and production processing to flavor expression: why Red Bourbon accounts for over ninety percent, why washed processing has become mainstream, and how the southern and western producing regions influence the terroir in the cup. At the same time, combined with the Rwanda Washed Red Bourbon selected by Front Street Coffee, it presents the berry, apple, green tea, and apricot notes of the Nanshike producing area, helping coffee enthusiasts understand the grade and charm of Rwandan coffee. [more…]

Blue Mountain Coffee is hailed as the finest among coffees, grown in Jamaica's Blue Mountains at elevations of 750 to 1,500 meters, with an annual output of about 4,000 barrels. Front Street Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee perfectly blends acidity, bitterness, sweetness, and body, with a rich aroma, a smooth and mellow taste on the palate, and a lingering fruity finish that creates an elegant and captivating character. This article will guide you through the history of Blue Mountain Coffee's place of origin, the distribution of its three major producing regions, its unique flavor characteristics and mouthfeel, and Front Street's recommendations and sharing of this top-tier coffee. [more…]

The world of coffee is rich and diverse, with different origins and roasting methods creating distinctive flavor experiences. This article systematically reviews 12 common types of coffee, from the elegant delicacy of Jamaican Blue Mountain to the rich mellowness of Indonesian Mandheling, from the chocolate notes of Yemeni Mocha to the unique flavor of Hawaiian Kona, analyzing one by one their taste characteristics, origin background, and best ways to drink them. Whether you prefer light and smooth or rich and strong, you can find your ideal choice in this coffee map. Front Street Coffee takes you deep into the personality and charm of each type of coffee. [more…]

In the world of single-origin coffee, origin, variety, and roasting are the three core factors that determine flavor. Blue Mountain Coffee is a classic example named after its origin, referring specifically to coffee produced in Jamaica's Blue Mountain region. This article focuses on Front Street Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, outlining its geographical environment, variety classification, flavor profile, and green bean packaging standards. The Blue Mountain range is located in eastern Jamaica, with its highest peak at 2,256 meters above sea level. The volcanic soil is fertile, the climate is humid and foggy, annual rainfall is about 1,980 millimeters, and temperatures stay around 27 degrees, providing excellent conditions for coffee cultivation. Genuine Front Street Blue Mountain Coffee uses top-grade local green beans, delivering a rich, balanced flavor with fruity notes and acidity, making it ideal for enthusiasts who prefer original flavors. Among these, NO.1 peaberry is the cream of the crop. In terms of variety, Front Street Blue Mountain belongs to Typica, a premium representative of Arabica. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is hailed as the nobility among coffees, but the coffee genuinely produced in Jamaica's Blue Mountain region above 1,600 meters in elevation yields less than 900 tons annually, of which only about 10% is supplied to the global market outside Japan, meaning that only about 90 tons of authentic Blue Mountain coffee are available for consumption worldwide each year. Front Street Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee, with its rich and balanced flavor, lingering fruity aroma, and extremely low caffeine content, has become a favorite among many coffee enthusiasts. This article will take you deep into the unique flavor characteristics of Blue Mountain coffee, its tasting methods, and why it can display an elegant aura of perfectly blended acidity, bitterness, and sweetness in the form of black coffee. [more…]

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is celebrated as one of the finest coffees in the world, renowned for its balanced acidity, sweetness, body, and bitterness, as well as its strict quality control system. This article will guide you through the history of Blue Mountain coffee, the environment of its origin, the variety classification standards, and how to verify its authenticity through appearance, grinding, aroma, taste, and other dimensions. We will also introduce the monopoly background of Blue Mountain coffee in the Japanese market, its certificate system, and Front Street Coffee's professional recommendations for single-origin Blue Mountain beans. Whether you are a beginner enthusiast or a seasoned barista, this comprehensive guide will help you gain a clearer understanding of this legendary coffee born in the Caribbean. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is renowned as one of the finest coffees in the world, and its distinctive flavor stems from the unique geographical location, climatic conditions, and altitude of the Blue Mountain region in eastern Jamaica. This article systematically reviews the cultivation of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans from the perspectives of the history of the Blue Mountain producing region, its certification system, growing environment, and current market conditions. It also introduces the flavor characteristics and product information of Front Street Coffee's Blue Mountain coffee, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of the origin story behind this legendary coffee. [more…]