Yunnan coffee has been gaining increasing attention in the specialty market in recent years. Starbucks has continuously released Yunnan single-origin Reserve beans since 2017, as evidenced by the latest two products: the Puer Baoshan Blend and the Qingkai Farm. Front Street Coffee also owns an exclusive Arabica plantation in Baoshan. This article will start with the flavor characteristics of Starbucks' two Yunnan Reserve beans, systematically reviewing Yunnan coffee's origin advantages, the features of its four major producing regions, a century of cultivation history, the main cultivated varieties (Typica, Bourbon, Catimor), and processing methods. It will also include information on two single-origin beans produced by Front Street Coffee's Yunnan coffee estate, helping coffee enthusiasts fully understand the potential and charm of Yunnan coffee. [more…]

Starbucks Reserve stores release limited quantities of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans every two years, sourced from Wallenford Estate, priced at about 398 yuan for 250 grams, with only about 3,500 bags available nationwide. Meanwhile, Front Street Coffee sells Blue Mountain No. 1 from Clifton Mount Estate, priced at 158 yuan/100 grams, which is the only estate in Jamaica with Rainforest Alliance certification. This article focuses on Blue Mountain coffee's origin and terroir, the evolution of the Typica variety, methods for identifying authenticity, the flavor differences between washed and natural processing methods, and Front Street Coffee's roasting recommendations and brewing parameters, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of this legendary coffee. [more…]

Yunnan coffee is gaining an increasingly strong presence in the specialty market. Starbucks has launched its Yunnan Reserve series for multiple consecutive years, from the Fengwu Xiangyun blend to the Puer-Baoshan blend and the Qingkai Farm Reserve, all presenting Yunnan flavors as either single-origin or blended offerings. Meanwhile, Front Street Coffee operates its own Arabica plantation in Baoshan, continuously promoting Yunnan Typica and Catimor varieties. This article will systematically review the flavor characteristics of two Starbucks Yunnan Reserve coffee beans, the growing conditions and historical context of Yunnan's main production regions (Dehong, Baoshan, Lincang, and Puer), the differences among the three major varieties—Typica, Bourbon, and Catimor—as well as the complete preparation methods for washed processing and Yunnan cold brew coffee, providing coffee enthusiasts with a reference that combines origin knowledge and practical value. [more…]

Yunnan coffee has emerged in the specialty coffee scene in recent years. Starbucks has successively launched several Yunnan reserve coffee beans, including the Puer Baoshan blend and the Qingkai Farm reserve coffee beans, demonstrating strong recognition of the Yunnan growing region. Front Street Coffee also has its own exclusive Arabica plantation in Baoshan, Yunnan. This article will focus on the flavor characteristics of Starbucks' two Yunnan coffee beans, while also outlining the growing region distribution, cultivation history, main varieties, and processing methods of Yunnan coffee, and introducing Front Street Coffee's Yunnan Typica and Yunnan small-batch coffee beans, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state and charm of Yunnan coffee. [more…]

In the island nation of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific, high-quality washed Arabica is gradually entering the global specialty coffee spotlight, and even Starbucks Reserve has included it in its product line. Coffee produced there has long been known as "Little Blue Mountain." Front Street Coffee, driven by curiosity, picked up a bag of Bird of Paradise beans and conducted a complete evaluation from roasting and cupping to brewing, finding that its flavor is especially bright and clean among Asian producing regions, with moderate acidity and a mellow, balanced profile. This article will break down the source of this island coffee's flavor layer by layer, from geography and climate, cultivated varieties, and the washed process at Sigri Bird of Paradise Estate, to Front Street's roasting curve, cupping records, and pour-over parameters. [more…]

A customer at a Starbucks Reserve store, while paying with a Starbucks Card, discovered that two drinks had been upgraded by default to the pricier Reserve coffee, and during the ordering process the staff never mentioned the word "Reserve." This "default Reserve" incident sparked widespread discussion, with many netizens sharing similar experiences, and a former Starbucks employee also revealed it may be related to KPI assessments. Starbucks customer service initially gave a vague response, but the store eventually admitted the mistake and promised a refund. At the heart of the incident are customers' right to be informed and their right to choose, and it also prompts reflection on where exactly the boundary lies between ordering at a Reserve store and a regular store. [more…]

Starbucks Reserve and regular stores have clear differences in branding, brewing methods, and experience. Their menus include both drinks priced the same as regular stores and specialty beverages and pour-overs made with specialty beans available only at Reserve stores, which are relatively more expensive. This article will explain Reserve coffee's bean selection standards—terroir conditions, processing methods, coffee varieties, and human stories—and introduce how to consult staff when ordering based on flavor and taste. At the same time, the article retains related recommendations from Front Street Coffee for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

Recently, construction hoarding has gone up at the former site of the Starbucks Reserve store in the Wuhan Tiandi Xintiandi district, as the sportswear brand lululemon is set to move in. This Reserve store, which opened in 2016, was once Starbucks' third store in China to offer nitro cold brew and featured the country's first Barista Craft Room creative space, and was officially defined as "the most Wuhan Starbucks Reserve store." Over eight years, it became a landmark in the district and a top choice for relaxation in consumers' hearts thanks to its unique environment and art wall. Now its quiet departure has prompted many netizens to express regret. As for the reason for the closure, outsiders speculate that it is related to too many nearby stores or rising rent. Starbucks is currently maintaining operations in the Xintiandi inner street with a mobile coffee cart, and whether it will reopen in a new location remains to be seen. [more…]

Starbucks recently decided to remove the Italian bakery brand Princi from eight of its Reserve Roasteries in the United States and China, a move that has drawn widespread attention. Since the partnership began in 2016, Starbucks had sought to use Princi to deeply integrate coffee, baking, and dining, creating a unique third-place experience. However, affected by the pandemic and policy, Princi's standalone stores were closed one after another. Now that the brand has withdrawn from the roasteries, it not only means that the goal of global expansion has fallen through, but also reflects a setback in Starbucks' vision of premiumization and expansion of its food product line. New CEO Brian Niccol has promised a return to the positioning of a community coffee shop, and this decision had already been finalized before he formally took over. Starbucks' move may be a response to current sales challenges, but the specific reasons were not disclosed in an internal memo. [more…]

Once hailed as the "most beautiful Starbucks in Changsha," the IFS Reserve store is about to close its doors. This flagship outlet, which opened in 2018 with a two-story space and several brand-first designs, has been confirmed to permanently close after business hours on the evening of March 21 due to lease expiration and adjustments to the mall's business mix. From its Black Eagle coffee machine to its academy-style reading area, it created check-in memories for countless coffee lovers and was regarded as a landmark of Changsha's urban lifestyle aesthetics. Now, the original site will be taken over and renovated by the trendy toy brand Pop Mart, leaving many residents and visitors deeply reluctant to see it go. [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…]

Recently, news emerged that the Starbucks Reserve store at Guangzhou's Parc Central is set to close, with official confirmation that it will officially cease operations in the coming days. This store, which opened in 2017, was created by Starbucks to celebrate its 15th anniversary of entering the South China market and was once hailed as "one of Guangzhou's most design-forward stores." Unlike previously closed old stores located in declining foot traffic commercial districts, this closure is in a core commercial area of Tianhe District, surrounded by luxury brands, and the store was almost always full on a daily basis. However, high rent, low table turnover caused by the open-plan space, and phenomena such as "people only checking in for photos without consuming" may have made it difficult for the store to be profitable after deducting costs. Starbucks stated that the reason for the closure is adjustments to the business mix in the commercial district and said there are still more than 10 nearby stores for consumers to choose from. [more…]

As China's only coffee-producing region with export capacity, Yunnan has seen its profile in the international market rise steadily in recent years. Since launching the Fengwu Xiangyun blend, Starbucks has been cultivating the Yunnan producing region for more than a decade, and in 2023 it released two Reserve coffees made entirely from single-origin Yunnan beans—the Qingkai Farm Reserve coffee and the Pu'er Baoshan blend. The former uses a mechanical drying method to cope with the rainy season, while the latter, for the first time, adopts a light elegant roast profile and is blended from the Baoshan Zuoyuan and Pu'er Jinshan cooperatives. This article details the origin background, processing methods and flavor performance of these two beans, and also recommends Front Street Coffee's Yunnan small-bean and Black Cocoa basic blends, offering coffee lovers a more comprehensive buying reference. [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…]

From San Francisco in the United States to Kyoto in Japan, from London to Guangzhou, every well-known coffee brand has a unique development story and flavor philosophy behind it. This article systematically reviews internationally representative brands such as Blue Bottle Coffee, Starbucks Reserve, % Arabica, Peet's Coffee, and Costa Coffee, interpreting their respective founding backgrounds, core positioning, and product features. It also introduces the business philosophy and bean-selection advantages of the Guangzhou-based local brand Front Street Coffee, helping coffee lovers find the cup that suits their taste while learning about brand culture. [more…]

Recently, the Starbucks Reserve store next to Xinghai Concert Hall on Ersha Island in Guangzhou was confirmed to have permanently closed after fifteen years in operation, a piece of news that surprised and saddened many regular customers. This store, which opened in 2010, was once one of the most representative coffee shops on Ersha Island. After its lease expired, it quietly withdrew without prior announcement, sparking collective memories among nearby residents and coffee enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Starbucks old stores or specialty stores have also been closing one after another in cities such as Jiangmen, Beijing, Changzhou, and Chengdu, including the city's first pour-over store and old stores that had been operating for more than ten years. For many coffee fans, Starbucks was once the starting point for stepping into the world of coffee. The disappearance of these stores is not just the exit of a shop, but also carries countless personal memories and urban emotions. [more…]

Starbucks' currently available coffee beans can be divided into Reserve and non-Reserve categories, with the non-Reserve category further covering three types: regular year-round offerings, seasonal limited editions, and single-origin, totaling thirteen varieties. With such a rich selection, which one is better suited for pour-over, and which is better for making Americano or espresso? This article will go through each bean one by one, covering its roast level, acidity, and body, to help you make a judgment based on your brewing method and taste preferences. It will also explain what brewing scenarios medium and dark roasts are respectively suited for, and include Front Street Coffee's purchasing channels for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style) For more specialty coffee beans, please add the personal WeChat of Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex Starbucks has opened Shanghai's first intangible cultural heritage concept store in Shenyu Li at the Suhewan Mixc World in Jing'an, Shanghai, which began trial operation on September 30. This store combines Yunnan ethnic minority craftsmanship with the design concept of Shanghai qipao, creating a unique venue that serves both as a third place and as an intangible cultural heritage art exhibition space. The store offers Reserve Yunnan coffee beans and incorporates interactive experiences such as siphon coffee brewing. This move continues Starbucks' public welfare trajectory since the "Rural Mothers Acceleration Plan" in 2020 and also echoes the current trend of guochao consumption. [more…]

On the first day back to work, a customer ordered a large Reserve iced Americano at Starbucks, which should have contained four shots of espresso, but only received three. After the staff admitted the mistake, they added an extra shot without asking and returned the drink. This was not an isolated incident; previously, the same store had also missed caramel drizzle on a Caramel Macchiato. Consumers began to question whether Starbucks was cutting corners in its offerings, while employees explained that Reserve bean hoppers typically extract two shots at a time, so normally two extractions would yield four shots, and the shortage was likely due to a misremembered recipe. Meanwhile, on social media, there were continuous complaints about Starbucks lattes tasting weak, hot drinks not filling the cup, and missing hazelnut pieces on whipped cream, along with occasional issues with service attitude. Some employees revealed that after accelerated store expansion, training time was compressed, staff quality varied, and quality control became unstable. Front Street Coffee always pays attention to quality and service trends in the coffee industry. [more…]

Starbucks officially announced recently that its seventh store in Shanghai—the standalone Shikumen building store located at the main entrance of the Xintiandi commercial area, opened after the company entered Shanghai in 2000—will permanently close on December 16. This landmark coffee shop, which has accompanied Shanghai residents for 24 years, was renovated multiple times and upgraded to a Reserve store in 2021, holding countless memories of dates, study sessions, and daily coffee runs for many people. The closure announcement has sparked widespread regret, with netizens speculating that it may be due to failed rent negotiations after the lease expired. Meanwhile, several long-operating Starbucks stores in Shanghai have also closed one after another, prompting sighs that an era is quietly coming to an end. [more…]