In recent years, Beijing's Shijingshan Shougang Park has become a popular check-in spot. Peet's Coffee has transformed the abandoned coke quenching tower in the park into an industrial-style store, which drew attention as soon as it opened. Because the park has broad lawns suitable for walking dogs, many pet owners regard this new store as a pet-friendly cafe. However, after a customer with a border collie drove an hour to the store, the store manager asked them to leave, citing that there were children in the store. The store had no prohibition signage, and pet visit posts were circulating on social media, so this controversy over "pet-friendly" being more name than reality is sparking discussion among many pet parents. [more…]

A fire in the Serra do Cipó National Park in the Cerrado region of Minas Gerais state in southern Brazil has been burning for four days, with the burned area reaching 478 hectares. The state is a core coffee-producing region in Brazil, accounting for 30% of the country's output, and many coffee estates are located nearby. Although, as of August 13, the harvest of the new coffee season is nearly complete, so the current fire has limited impact on this season's output, damage to the soil and ecological environment, low humidity, and the possible arrival of a La Niña climate make the outlook for coffee production in the 2024/25 season worrying. [more…]

While most independent coffee shops still emphasize freshly ground and freshly made coffee, a specialty coffee shop tucked away in a park does the opposite, replacing traditional espresso machines with four taps. After customers place an order, staff simply place a cup under the tap to dispense pre-prepared coffee liquid, milk, or hot water, producing an Americano or milk coffee in seconds. This method, which involves extracting coffee 12 hours in advance, preserving it under oxygenated vacuum, and then mixing it with compressed air through a Linkbar brewing head, is called "softening and maturation" by the shop owner. Is it an efficiency revolution in specialty coffee, or the coffee world's version of pre-made dishes? Let's find out. [more…]

Recently, an accident occurred during a lion interaction with visitors at a café inside a wildlife park in Thailand. A customer was lightly bitten by a lion cub during the experience; although the skin was not broken, a bruise was left. The incident has raised concerns about safety at animal-themed cafés. This article will recount what happened, how the shop handled it, and the visitor's subsequent medical treatment, while also introducing coffee industry-related information channels, including brand information for Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Suzhou, a gentle ancient city in the Jiangnan region, hides quite a few specialty coffee shops worth a dedicated visit. This article compiles a summary of shop visits from a veteran coffee enthusiast, covering more than seventy four- to five-star coffee shops across Gusu District, the Industrial Park, the High-Tech District, Wuzhong District, and beyond—from artsy little cafes to cat-themed coffee houses, from Korean-style chains to standalone buildings with Republican-era charm, each with its own distinctive setting, offerings, and story. Whether you're a coffee purist chasing pour-over quality or an artsy soul who favors ambiance, this list can help you find that perfect cup in Suzhou. [more…]

Recently, news of a young child tragically choking to death after drinking bubble tea has sparked widespread discussion on social media. The incident occurred in Taizhou, Zhejiang, where a four-year-old boy drank bubble tea purchased by his parents while playing at an amusement park, then became unwell in the trampoline area and died from choking after an hour and a half of emergency medical treatment. The parents believe that the oversized and overly sticky tapioca pearls in the milk tea were the main cause of the tragedy, and pointed out that the store involved did not post conspicuous warnings, nor did the staff verbally remind them of the risks of children drinking it. At the same time, whether the amusement park and the shopping mall fulfilled their safety obligations has also become a focus of controversy. Currently, multiple local departments have stepped in to mediate, and the incident is still being further processed. [more…]

Geisha coffee has long been renowned worldwide for its high price and scarce yield, and the Boquete region of Panama is precisely the core stage where this legendary variety shines. Hacienda La Esmeralda, a famous estate in the Boquete region with nearly a century of history, is located on the edge of Volcán Barú National Park at an altitude of 1,700 to 2,000 meters. Thanks to its unique microclimate, volcanic soil, and shade-growing conditions, it produces Geisha coffee with outstanding flavor. This article will take you through an in-depth look at the history of Hacienda La Esmeralda, the terroir of its producing region, its natural processing method, and Front Street Coffee's roasting and pour-over recommendations for this bean, offering a comprehensive presentation of its rich flavor layers interwoven with ginger flower, citrus, honey, and berries. [more…]

Elida Estate, as a representative of Panamanian specialty coffee, has been selected for the BOP winning lots every year since 2006, and this year it even won double first place for both washed and natural Geisha. This article takes you through this legendary estate located within Baru Volcano National Park, analyzes how its unique microclimate creates the signature blackberry fruit notes and vivid aftertaste, and shares Front Street Elida Natural Geisha's pour-over parameters—15 grams of grounds, 91°C water temperature, cake cup extraction, brewed to 220 grams in 2 minutes and 20 seconds, fully presenting the champion flavor of jackfruit, lychee, and creamy smoothness. [more…]

Elida Estate is one of the most prestigious coffee estates in Panama's Boquete region and a frequent winner of the Best of Panama (BOP) competition. The estate sits at one of the highest cultivation altitudes in the country, with more than half of its land incorporated into Volcán Barú National Park. Its unique microclimate, combined with the estate owner's relentless dedication to harvesting and processing, together produce the unforgettable flavor profile of Green Tip Geisha. This article takes you deep into Elida Estate's history, geographical environment, variety composition, and processing philosophy, and recommends the Elida Green Tip Geisha from Front Street Coffee, so you can experience the distinctive charm of this top-tier Panamanian coffee. [more…]

On April 2, the Poás Volcano in Costa Rica experienced its largest eruption in nearly five years, with an ash column reaching 600 to 800 meters above the crater, posing a threat to local residents' lives, air quality, and crops such as coffee. Poás Volcano National Park has been temporarily closed, and several coffee-producing regions around the volcano, including the well-known Central Valley, also face potential impacts from volcanic ash. At the same time, drought and frequent fires triggered by El Niño have further intensified pressure on local agriculture. This article will review the specifics of this volcanic eruption, its impact on the coffee industry, and the outlook for Costa Rica's coffee exports. [more…]

In July 2017, Guangzhou welcomed its first lifestyle market themed around specialty coffee—the Guangzhou Specialty Coffee Culture Festival, held at the 289 Art PARK Culture Plaza. The event brought together the city's top specialty coffee shops, including brands like Front Street Coffee, where visitors could taste coffee beans from various origins, fresh creations by champion roasters, as well as creative coffee, drip bags, pour-over equipment, and cultural merchandise. Beyond coffee, booths featuring desserts, craft beer, tattoos, and handmade crafts were equally exciting. Consumers could vote for their favorite coffee shop, join coffee tasting salons and amateur pour-over competitions, and experience tattoos and photo interactions. Whether a coffee connoisseur or a curious beginner, everyone could find their own enjoyment here. [more…]

Front Street Coffee has recently added a Kenyan SL28 washed bean from El Salvador's Olive Tree Estate, a bean closely linked to the 2017 WBC champion bean. Olive Tree Estate is located near a volcanic national park, at an altitude of 1,800 to 1,950 meters, with fertile volcanic soil and a rich ecological shade system, and has obtained organic and Rainforest Alliance certifications. The SL28 variety is known for its excellent sweetness, balance, and citrus and smoked plum notes. This article will introduce the estate's background, variety characteristics, washed processing flow, roasting curve analysis, and cupping flavor performance, along with Front Street's recommended pour-over parameters for coffee lovers' reference. [more…]

For drivers who want a cup of coffee, the biggest headache is often not placing the order, but finding a parking space. Parking on the roadside risks a ticket, while entering a parking lot feels like too much hassle—a dilemma that has given rise to a new way of thinking. Starbucks China recently partnered with Amap to pilot a "curbside pickup" service at selected stores in Beijing and Shanghai: users plan their route and place an order in advance, and a barista waits at a designated roadside spot, so the drink can be collected as soon as the car arrives. This feature saves more time on parking and queuing than the traditional "drive-thru," but it requires an extra service fee and currently covers only about 150 stores. Can it truly solve the pain point of meal pickup for commuters, and what challenges will it bring to store operations? This article takes you through a closer look. [more…]

Elida Estate is located in the Boquete region of Panama, boasting one of the highest-altitude growing environments in the country, with nearly half of its area designated within Volcán Barú National Park. The unique terroir gives coffee cherries a growth and ripening rhythm unlike that of conventional regions, and the estate owner's rigorous control over harvesting and post-processing has made the Geisha and Catuai produced here highly sought after. This article will guide you through Elida Estate's geographical advantages, the influence of shade growing on flavor, the spread of the Geisha variety, and the brewing parameters and product information recommended by Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Dakaihe Village in Pu'er, Yunnan, thanks to its unique ecology connected to the Sun River National Forest Park, nurtures high-quality coffee estates. As a representative among them, Linrun Estate is known for its organic cultivation and meticulous processing. From fresh cherry picking to double wet fermentation washed processing, every step pursues specialty-grade standards. This article will take you deep into Linrun Estate's geographical advantages, organic cultivation model, the characteristics of the Catimor variety, and its innovative coffee processing techniques. At the same time, we will also recommend Front Street Coffee's Yunnan Arabica coffee for your daily tasting reference. [more…]

In the Boquete region of Panama, there is a legendary estate at an altitude of nearly 1,850 meters—Elida. It belongs to the Lamastus family, with a history dating back to 1918. More than half of the estate lies within Volcán Barú National Park, making it one of the highest-altitude coffee estates in Panama. It mainly cultivates Catuai, Typica, and Geisha. Thanks to its unique microclimate, strict shade-growing practices, hand-picking standards, and meticulous processing methods such as anaerobic fermentation and low-temperature slow sun-drying, the Geisha produced by Elida has a delicate and elegant flavor that is highly praised by coffee enthusiasts. Front Street Coffee will also take Elida Estate's ASD-process Geisha as an example to share brewing parameters and suggestions. [more…]

In the Boquete production region of Panama, there is a coffee estate whose altitude is almost unmatched in the country—Elida. It belongs to the Lamastus family, with more than half of its area located within Volcán Barú National Park, and coffee cultivation heights extending from 1,670 meters all the way to 1,850 meters. Here, after planting, it takes five years before the first harvest; the long maturation period gives rise to richer flavors. The estate mainly cultivates three varieties—Catuai, Typica, and Geisha—with Geisha being the most notable. This article will take you into Elida's microclimate, shade-growing methods, strict harvesting and green bean purification processes, and, using Front Street Coffee's Elida ASD Geisha as an example, share specific brewing parameters. [more…]

Located in the Boquete production region of Panama, Elida Estate enjoys high-altitude growing conditions rarely found in Central America, with a history dating back to the Lamastus family in 1918. More than half of the estate lies within Volcán Barú National Park, and its coffee is grown at elevations ranging from 1,670 to 1,850 meters, making it one of the highest-elevation estates in Panama. The estate mainly cultivates three varieties: Catuai, Typica, and Geisha. The owner is extremely rigorous during harvest and processing, picking only the ripest cherries by hand and subjecting the green beans to low-temperature resting and purification for more than five months. This article will introduce, one by one, the estate's history, growing environment, shade management, the origins of the Geisha variety, and finally Front Street Coffee's brewing recommendations for Elida Estate ASD-process Geisha. [more…]

Elida Estate is one of the most prestigious coffee estates in Panama, belonging to the Lamastus family. Since its founding, Mr. Robert has made producing high-quality coffee his core pursuit, and this passion has been passed down through generations, now continuing into the family's fourth generation. In recent years, the Lamastus family has acquired El Burro Estate, bringing the number of estates under its umbrella to five, though only three actually produce coffee: besides Elida, there are also El Burro Estate and Elida Estate Luis Quiel, each with its own distinctive character shaped by differences in terroir. Elida covers 65 hectares, more than half of which lies within the protected area of Barú Volcano National Park, where logging is prohibited, leaving an actual planted area of about 30 hectares. The superior microclimate, volcanic soil, and high altitude, combined with the family's strict control over harvesting and processing, give Elida coffee its unique flavor. This article will also share the cupping performance of Front Street Coffee's Panama Elida Estate Natural Geisha. [more…]

Elida Estate is located in the Boquete region of Panama, boasting a rare high-altitude growing environment in Central America, with more than half of its area situated within a national park protected zone. Estate owner Wilford Lamastus cultivates three varieties here—Typica, Geisha, and Catuai—and is renowned for intense umami and dark berry notes. This article will delve into the geography, variety characteristics, and processing methods of the estate to provide an in-depth analysis of the origins, development, and unique charm of Front Street Panama Boquete Elida Estate Natural Typica specialty coffee. [more…]