Luckin Coffee has reached its 30,000th store at the Origin Flagship Store in Shenzhen's Galaxy Twin Towers. This store, numbered 30000, not only offers regular drinks but also exclusively launches 6 coffee specials and 3 pour-over coffees. The specials are uniformly priced at 15.9 yuan, and new items like the alcoholic version "Crimson Moonlight" have sparked a check-in craze. Consumers report that the drinks are excellent in both appearance and taste, but waiting times are long and some ingredients are sold out. Netizens from other regions are calling for nationwide promotion, while Luckin employees are relieved that it is a regional exclusive. This article takes you through the highlights and market reaction of these limited-edition new products. [more…]

Guangzhou's autumn and winter are warm and pleasant, and Dongshankou is especially a favorite among coffee lovers. This article records the author's two consecutive days of store visits at Front Street Coffee, from the rich sweetness of sun-dried Guatemalan beans to details like the English-style cups and the aroma drifting from the bean roaster, showcasing the unique charm of a specialty coffee brick-and-mortar shop. At the same time, the article also explores domestic purchasing channels and tasting methods for specialty coffee beans, making it suitable for coffee fans who enjoy pour-over and pursue bean quality. If you want to know where to buy specialty coffee beans in Guangzhou, or want to understand what domestic specialty beans are available, this store-visit essay will give you plenty of inspiration. [more…]

As Qixi Festival approaches, Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Converse have once again joined forces to launch a collaboration series inspired by the Milky Way and the stars Altair and Vega, available at the Tokyo Roastery starting June 24. The most eye-catching item this season is a vase shaped like Converse's classic shoe, in a refreshing ice-blue colorway, alongside six other celestial-themed items including mugs, folding fans, and bags. Looking back at last year's Qixi Festival, the two brands created shoe-shaped vases and home goods themed around fireworks and misty blue. In addition, Starbucks' multiple collaborations with Hiroshi Fujiwara have focused on a minimalist home coffee experience for the post-pandemic era, launching textured items such as French presses and blankets. This article walks you through these collaboration highlights, with Front Street Coffee's communication channels listed at the end. [more…]

Recently, a weakly alkaline natural mineral water sold at Sam's Club was snapped up and went out of stock after rumors spread that "if the father drinks it, he can have a son," and the related topic topped Weibo's hot search list. This product, which meets the GB8537 standard and costs about one yuan on average, comes from Bama Longevity Mountain in Guangxi. It was originally just ordinary mineral water, but because of its "weakly alkaline" label, it was credited with effects such as neutralizing stomach acid, lowering uric acid, and even helping couples conceive a boy. Although the Shenzhen Health Commission long ago debunked the "acidic/alkaline constitution" as a pseudoscientific concept, and Sam's Club customer service also responded that there is no scientific basis for it, many netizens on social platforms still shared experiences of "it worked for me" and even summarized a "best drinking guide." This article will retrace the whole incident, explore the social psychology behind the rumor, and remind readers: whether a baby is a boy or a girl is random, and the baby's health is what matters most. [more…]

Recently, the TV drama "Forever Night Star River" has surged in popularity, and the milk tea brand Molly Tea took the opportunity to launch a collaboration, but issues such as delayed merchandise, stock shortages, and reselling have led to collective complaints from fans of the show. Although the official side issued an emergency apology on the 15th and promised compensation, the limited-edition paper bags will not be available until the 30th at the earliest, prompting fans to exclaim that "the timeline is too long, and enthusiasm is being worn down." Why did this highly anticipated collaboration fail? Who exactly was hurt when the brand temporarily changed the schedule and store issues occurred frequently? Join Coffee Workshop as we review the entire incident and also take a look at the heartwarming recommendations Front Street Coffee has prepared for coffee lovers. [more…]

When involution becomes the norm in the workplace, a group of workers tired of mental exhaustion begin to set their sights on "brainless" light physical labor, and barista, with its romantic filter, is voted the top choice for a career change. Young people who have fled from fields such as law, finance, and architectural design share the joy and the gap between expectations and reality of shaking coffee at chain brands like Luckin and Starbucks. However, real problems such as shoulder and neck strain, shrinking salaries, and limited development also emerge. Is switching to coffee a cost-effective and respectable job, or just another besieged city? This article sorts through the real experiences of several career changers to provide reference for those hesitating at life's crossroads. [more…]

On a scorching summer day, a glass of cold brew coffee is a favorite for many coffee lovers. Traditional cold brew towers are not cheap, yet they are often used infrequently, so netizens have started to brainstorm and build all kinds of "DIY cold brew" contraptions using everyday items like filter cups, drip bags, and mineral water bottles. This article rounds up several of the most representative simple home cold brew setups: from stacking filter cups, to converting drip coffee bags, to combining moxibustion racks with plant-watering nozzles—each one showcases the creativity and dedication of coffee enthusiasts. Although these homemade devices are not as precise as professional cold brew towers, they make up for it with low cost, plenty of fun, and the joy of drinking iced coffee you extracted yourself. If you'd also like to try cold brew at home, you might as well take inspiration from these ideas and use the objects around you to start a low-temperature extraction experiment. [more…]

In August 2026, the 30th BOP concluded in Boquete. In the Traditional Varieties category, Altieri Specialty Coffee took first place with 93.63 points, leaving Hacienda La Esmeralda and Santa Teresa Estate behind, setting [more…]

In the dazzling galaxy of Panama's specialty coffee, the Kotowa family occupies an important place with its century-old heritage and outstanding quality. From the pioneering story of first-generation estate owner Alexander Duncan MacIntyre to the careful management of the current third-generation head Ricardo Koyner and his daughter Victoria, this family has witnessed the rise and glory of Panamanian coffee. This article will take you into Duncan Estate under Kotowa, to learn about its historical origins, terroir conditions, and processing techniques, and to deeply taste the sun-dried Caturra brought by Front Street Coffee—a bean that displays the rich layers of floral notes, red grapes, dried fruit, and prunes, showcasing the unique terroir charm of the Boquete producing region. [more…]

The Brazilian coffee industry is facing a dual shock from drought and fires. Since the end of August, fires have continued to spread across various regions, burning large swaths of coffee plantations and forcing producers to replant, delaying the originally planned 2025 harvest to 2027. Meanwhile, the worst drought on record has swept across the country, and falling water levels in Amazonian rivers have caused congestion at southern ports, where about 1.2 million bags of coffee have piled up and been damaged, with losses reaching as high as US$300 million. Smoke has covered nearly 5 million square kilometers, affecting at least 10 states. In view of multiple factors such as fires, worsening air quality and port delays, coffee exports are expected to decline and prices will continue to rise. [more…]

Geisha coffee made Panama's Hacienda La Esmeralda famous, but hidden within this volcanic region are two equally dazzling Geisha gems—Deborah Estate and Morgan Estate. Both are helmed by Jamison Savage: one is known for its secluded location above 1,900 meters and super-long sun-drying, while the other stuns the competition scene with steep-slope organic farming and its identity as a WBC champion bean. This article takes you deep into the terroir, processing methods, and flavor differences of both estates, and includes Front Street Coffee's brewing parameter recommendations for the Savage series Geisha, helping you brew a cup full of floral aromatics and balanced acidity at home. [more…]

Geisha coffee made Panama's Hacienda La Esmeralda famous, but on this land surrounded by volcanoes, there are two other estates that also produce top-tier Geisha—Deborah and Morgan. Both belong to Jamison Savage's coffee empire, one located in the high-altitude primary forest of Volcán, the other perched on the steep slopes of Barú Volcano, renowned for strict organic farming and meticulous post-harvest processing. Front Street Coffee will guide you through the geography and terroir of these sister estates, their processing techniques, and the collaborative model of the Savage Coffee project, and share a cup profile and brewing recommendations for a Savage series Geisha. [more…]

On April 2, the internet-famous tea brand Chayan Yuese opened a pop-up store at Shenzhen Wenheyou. The queue on opening day was unprecedented, with rumors online claiming that the number of waiting tickets exceeded 30,000, and a cup of milk tea was being resold for over 200 yuan. However, Chayan Yuese officially clarified shortly afterward that the so-called 30,000 number was actually the table number at Shenzhen Wenheyou, not the queue number for milk tea. From Changsha to Wuhan and then to Shenzhen, why does Chayan Yuese always trigger such frenzy? This article will reconstruct the whole incident, sort out the brand's development trajectory, and discuss whether a cup of milk tea is worth such a long queue. [more…]

Recently, Changsha tea beverage brand Chayan Yuese has attracted widespread attention due to the establishment of a branch company in Shanghai and the release of recruitment information in Shenzhen. There has been much speculation from the outside about whether it will enter the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets, but the brand responded that the new Shanghai company is only a creative studio and there are currently no plans to open stores. However, the focus of netizens' discussion has fallen on Chayan Yuese's signature queuing and verification mechanism—many people believe that this model is difficult to adapt to the fast-paced consumption habits of Shanghai and Shenzhen, and that if it insists on its original rules, it may be difficult to gain a foothold. At the same time, Heytea, Chagee, and local brand Tea Li Yishi have already occupied the local market. If Chayan Yuese enters at this time, the competitive pressure cannot be underestimated. This article will sort out the ins and outs of the incident and the views of all parties. (Compiled by Front Street Coffee) [more…]

Starbucks' first Reserve flagship store in South China—the two-story standalone store at Shenzhen MixC World—will officially close permanently after business hours on October 12. This iconic store, which had been open for nearly eight years, was once the largest standalone Starbucks in Shenzhen, and it now comes to an end due to the expiration of its contract and adjustments in the business district's tenant mix. After the news spread, many regular customers felt deep regret. At the same time, Starbucks has also been closing stores at multiple locations in Shenzhen, sparking speculation about adjustments to its market layout. This article will review the store's history, customer reactions, the reasons for its closure, and Starbucks' response, along with related recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

TEA YAN YUE SE has officially announced that it will enter the South China market this April, opening two stores simultaneously in Nanshan District, Shenzhen. Once the news broke, Shenzhen residents responded enthusiastically, but the choice of location for the new stores sparked considerable discussion—both stores are located in Yuehai Subdistrict at MixC and MixC World, only about 4 kilometers apart, and many netizens expressed confusion over the brand not choosing downtown areas such as Futian or Luohu. Previously, TEA YAN YUE SE had opened a pop-up store at Wenheyou in Luohu that triggered a queuing frenzy, and consumers had originally expected the brand to prioritize Futian or Luohu. Now that both stores are clustered in Nanshan, some fans who live in other districts say it is simply inconvenient. [more…]

The Maan Coffee at 1979 in Shenzhen's Xiangmihu has officially closed permanently due to building demolition. This three-story standalone store, which operated for ten years, was once a landmark in the area and held countless coffee memories for consumers. From its opening in 2015 to its final curtain call, it witnessed a generation of Shenzhen residents gathering, working, and taking photos, with its iconic little bear ordering signs, holiday decorations, and cozy atmosphere. After the news spread, local netizens dug out old photos, sharing stories of their first cup of coffee here, the first contract they signed, and birthdays and marriage proposals they celebrated. Before the closure, a large number of customers made special trips to commemorate the place, lamenting that there would be no more Maan Coffee in Shenzhen. [more…]

Peet's Coffee's first store in South China—the Shenzhen MixC World branch—officially closed after business hours on July 16 this year, and the original site has been taken over by a chain tea beverage brand from Suzhou. This store, which had been open for nearly four years, once attracted a large number of coffee lovers to check in, and built up a loyal customer base with consistent quality and a comfortable environment. Unexpectedly, no closure notice was posted before the store shut down, and many regular customers were unable to say goodbye in time. At the same time, Peet's stores in Shenzhen, Shanghai and many other places have also quietly withdrawn from shopping malls, sparking speculation about adjustments to its market layout. The brand responded that the Shenzhen MixC World store closed because its lease expired, but the successive closures still leave some consumers worried. [more…]

Blue Bottle Coffee has officially announced the opening of its 9th store, located in Shenzhen MixC World, marking the brand's first entry into South China. The new store is designed by the Hong Kong young architect team COLLECTIVE, with the concept of "blue imagination related to the sea," incorporating the character of Shenzhen as a future city. The first floor of the store is the coffee preparation area, and the second floor is the customer enjoyment area, with varying shades of blue running through the bar, shelves, stairs, and tables and chairs. Most notably, the store launches the world's exclusive first blue dripper, which is only used and sold at the Shenzhen store. On the opening day, the queue once lasted up to two hours, and it returned to normal the next day. In addition, it is rumored online that Blue Bottle Coffee may enter Chengdu Taikoo Li and Xi'an MixC, and its expansion pace is worth watching. [more…]

Recently, a 1 Dian Dian store at Jinshijie in Dongmen, Shenzhen was exposed after a cockroach leg was found in a milk tea, sparking widespread attention. The consumer and the store failed to reach an agreement on compensation, and a complaint has now been filed and accepted on the Shenzhen government service platform. The incident highlights weak links in food safety management in the tea beverage industry and once again reminds industry practitioners and consumers to pay joint attention to hygiene issues. As an industry observer, Front Street Coffee continues to monitor the impact of such incidents on brand trust. [more…]