Starbucks is facing a thorny problem: the proportion of baristas who quit after only three months on the job has climbed to 25%, far above the pre-pandemic level of 10%. Interim CEO Howard Schultz has pointed the finger at the increasingly complex process of making cold drinks. Data shows that cold drinks already account for 75% of Starbucks' beverage sales, yet making a single iced caramel macchiato takes as long as three minutes, and employees must repeatedly run back and forth between the hot bar and the cold bar. In order to retain employees and improve efficiency, Starbucks is conducting a comprehensive review ranging from store design and menu structure to job content. This article will take an in-depth look at the data and details behind this phenomenon, and also focus on the professional perspective brought by Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Starbucks recently launched a Happy Holiday Member Night event for Gold and Diamond members, allowing eligible users to book free in-store participation through the official App. However, after the event ended, a large number of feedback posts appeared on social platforms, with many members calling the experience extremely poor: the new product tasting consisted of only one mini drink, limited-edition badges were in short supply, the coffee lecture and interactive games were simply canceled, and there were no discounts on merchandise purchases either. Some participants also pointed out that the quality of the event varied by store, and stores that attached greater importance to it still delivered a decent holiday experience. Starbucks employees, meanwhile, revealed that rushed preparation, insufficient bookings, and last-minute situations could all dilute the effectiveness of the event. Why did this member event receive such polarized reviews? This article will sort through feedback from all sides and the reasons behind it. [more…]

Caramel Macchiato has always been loved by coffee enthusiasts for its sweet caramel and the layered richness of espresso. But how many calories does a standard Starbucks Caramel Macchiato actually contain? Can you replicate a similar flavor at home? This article will first compile the latest calorie information for the Starbucks Caramel Macchiato, then use step-by-step illustrations to demonstrate in detail how to make an iced Caramel Macchiato using a chilled glass, a French press, and caramel syrup. From preparation to milk foam handling, and then to caramel drizzle and latte art needle detailing, every step is clearly laid out. At the end, there is also a recommendation of Front Street Coffee's specialty coffee knowledge, suitable for coffee lovers who want to balance taste and calories. [more…]

On the menus of major coffee shops, Americano, Latte, and Flat White (or Fu Rui Bai) have long become familiar choices. Especially after Starbucks launched the Fu Rui Bai in 2020, this beverage quickly captured the hearts of many coffee enthusiasts. So, what kind of coffee is Fu Rui Bai exactly? Is there a difference between it and the Australian Flat White? This article will break down this classic milk coffee that sits between a latte and a cappuccino from multiple angles, including conceptual definitions, historical origins, and preparation methods, and share the specific parameters and blend choices used by Front Street Coffee when making Fu Rui Bai in-store. [more…]

Starbucks coffee is where many people first encounter specialty coffee in their daily lives, but do you really understand the product logic behind it? This time, Front Street Coffee takes you through a systematic overview of Starbucks coffee types and their flavor characteristics. Most Starbucks products are based on espresso, and by combining it with different ingredients such as water, milk, milk foam, and syrup, they give rise to classics like the Americano, Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White, Mocha, and Caramel Macchiato. In addition, the cold brew coffee that has become hugely popular in the past two years is also worth paying attention to. This article will introduce the recipe composition and taste differences of these coffees one by one, and include the specific brewing parameters for Front Street Iced Americano, to help you find the cup that best suits your taste. [more…]

Recently, StayReal, the streetwear brand founded by Mayday's Ashin and artist No2Good, held a limited-time art exhibition in Shanghai, drawing a large number of fans to visit and take photos. Surprisingly, however, a Starbucks store next door to the exhibition unexpectedly went viral thanks to its employees' playful cheering. Staff held up creative signs incorporating Mayday lyrics, prepared limited-edition cup stickers and merchandise perks for fans, and even offered a cheerful "call-out service," keeping the fans waiting in line laughing nonstop. This mutual embrace between fans and Starbucks employees not only eased the boredom of waiting in line, but also won the brand a great deal of goodwill. [more…]

A flat white is a drink with less milk and more coffee, typically made with a double espresso paired with fine microfoam, placing it somewhere between a latte and a cappuccino. It originated during World War II, when Italian immigrants brought espresso culture to Australia and New Zealand, and the two countries still argue over who invented it first. In 2015, Starbucks launched the flat white in the United States, and in the same year it entered mainland China, where it was translated as "馥芮白". This article explains in detail how it differs from a latte and a cappuccino, and shares Front Street Coffee's flat white recipe, including bean blend selection, extraction parameters, and milk frothing techniques. [more…]

As a globally renowned coffee chain brand, Starbucks offers a dazzling array of drinks on its menu, from classic espresso to creatively crafted specialty beverages, each carrying its own unique coffee culture. This article will systematically outline the complete range of Starbucks coffee types, covering classics such as cappuccino, latte, Americano, mocha, and caramel macchiato, as well as the iced drink series and creative products like Frappuccino, while also detailing the general price ranges for each size. In addition, the article delves into the roasting origins of Starbucks coffee beans, the Italian roots of its size terminology, and the personalized options customers can customize, providing coffee enthusiasts with a comprehensive and practical ordering reference. [more…]

Recently, frequent food safety issues at major beverage brands have left consumers deeply concerned about the hygiene of freshly made drinks. According to a report by China Times News Network, a female customer purchased an iced sesame matcha latte at a Starbucks store in Taichung, Taiwan, and when she drank to the last sip, she discovered a bitten fly in the cup, with several dead maggots even crawling out of its belly. That night, the customer experienced vomiting and diarrhea, and was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis after seeking medical attention. Starbucks officially responded quickly, stating that the store disinfects regularly and that employee operations comply with standard procedures, but the store involved has not yet received a complaint. The Taichung City Food Safety Office has intervened in the investigation, and if non-compliant items are found, it will require rectification within a specified time limit and impose heavy fines in accordance with the law. Staff from the Ministry of Health and Welfare also reminded the public that if they accidentally consume live animals, they should watch for symptoms of gastroenteritis and seek medical attention promptly. [more…]

Americano is the starting point for many people's journey into freshly ground coffee, and it is often regarded as one of the more affordable choices on the Starbucks menu. It seems simple—espresso plus water—yet it involves extraction parameters, bean blending, and flavor balance. This article begins with why Americano became so popular, explaining that it is quick to serve, cost-effective, low in calories, and has a certain refreshing and diuretic effect, then returns to the historical origins of Americans diluting espresso with water during World War II. It then breaks down Starbucks' serving method and the flavor differences among various beans, and offers selection advice for home use and shop openings centered on Front Street Classic Blend, Dark Cocoa Blend, and Strawberry Candy espresso, finally including reference extraction ratios and preparation steps. [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…]

As a classic representative of Italian coffee, the cappuccino uses espresso as its base, blending steamed milk and a rich milk foam to present a layered taste experience. Following Starbucks' professional coffee operating standards, this article will break down the cappuccino-making process step by step, from tamping the coffee grounds and pulling the espresso to controlling the steamed milk temperature and incorporating the milk foam, covering ten key steps in total. At the same time, the article also distinguishes the differences between dry cappuccino and wet cappuccino in the ratio of milk foam to steamed milk, and emphasizes easily overlooked details such as cleaning the steam wand. Whether you want to recreate the Italian flavor at home or hope to refine your coffee skills, this illustrated tutorial can provide clear and practical guidance. [more…]

The Flat White that Starbucks made popular is actually the "Flat White" on English menus, also commonly known as Australian white coffee. How exactly does it differ from a latte or a cappuccino? This article starts with the controversy over its name, its origin story, the choice of espresso base, and the ratio of milk foam to coffee, clarifying the Australian and New Zealand schools of preparation, and comparing the same drink behind chain-brand names such as Flat White, Artisan White, and Australian White. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will share the parameters for making a Flat White with a classic espresso blend: coffee-to-liquid ratio, extraction time, milk foam thickness, and milk temperature, to help you understand why Australian white coffee highlights Espresso flavor even more. [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…]

Just after the Qingming holiday, as temperatures rise, Starbucks' summer menu update is quietly approaching. Recently, an Instagram user leaked Starbucks' upcoming "Spicy Lemonade Refresher Series," which features chili powder and comes in three flavors—dragon fruit, strawberry, and pineapple—with an optional spicy cold foam, and is planned to be available for a limited time at stores across the United States starting April 16. This is not Starbucks' first attempt at spicy drinks; as early as 2015, its stores in China launched a Spicy Chili Mocha. From Dongpo Braised Pork Latte to Wasabi Pistachio Latte, Starbucks has been continuously testing the waters on the path of "dark cuisine." This article will take you through the specific details of this new spicy product, its preparation process, and the history of past spicy coffees. [more…]

On a sweltering summer day, a layered iced specialty coffee always turns heads. Starbucks' Iced Shaken Espresso, with its striking three-layer look of dark brown espresso, milk-tea-colored milk, and fluffy coffee foam, has become the top choice for many coffee lovers to recreate at home. This time, Front Street Coffee will walk you through the making logic of this drink: use espresso with ice cubes and vanilla syrup, shake it in a cocktail shaker to whip in air and build a thick foam layer, then pour in oat milk through the layers to create a unique texture where grain and coffee intertwine. From ingredient preparation to extraction parameters, shaking technique, tasting the finished drink, and ideas for flavor variations, this article restores the complete process step by step, so you can easily make your own refreshing yet rich Iced Shaken Espresso at home. [more…]

Americano is now one of the most common drinks in coffee shops, but its origins are closely tied to World War II. Back then, American soldiers couldn't handle the intensity of Espresso, so they diluted it with warm water, and thus this way of drinking coffee was born. Later, Starbucks' global expansion truly brought Americano to the world. However, there has always been controversy over the definition and preparation of Americano: Is it black coffee? Is it reasonable to use an espresso machine for a long extraction to make a weak coffee? This article sorts out the historical context of Americano, compares two preparation approaches, and answers the question of its relationship with black coffee. If you are also curious about the past and present of the Americano in your cup, read on. [more…]

In the large family of espresso drinks, latte, mocha, and cappuccino are already well known, while Flat White and the Starbucks menu's "馥芮白" often leave people confused. In fact, "馥芮白" and Australian white coffee both refer to the same drink; only the name and preparation vary by region. Starting from the production standards of Front Street Coffee, this article sorts out the controversy over the origin of Flat White, the choice of espresso base, milk steaming temperature and foam thickness, and compares it with latte in terms of cup size, ratio, and flavor, to help coffee lovers make a qualified Flat White at home. [more…]

Since Starbucks launched its Rewards program in 2008, membership tiers had maintained a three-level structure: Green, Gold, and Silver. However, starting June 20, this system, which had been in use for over a decade, underwent a major change—a new Diamond tier was added, and Gold members who accumulate 100 registered stars within the past year can automatically upgrade. The new tier brings benefits such as priority preparation for Mobile Order & Pay, birthday-exclusive gifts, and free Roastery experiences, and also launches a joint membership with Hilton. However, some loyal users have questioned the practicality of these new benefits, believing the threshold is too high and the reach is limited. This article will comprehensively review the details of this adjustment and the feedback from various parties. [more…]

The Flat White is an extremely popular drink in Starbucks' milk coffee lineup. Its Chinese name is a transliteration of the English term, and it is also widely known as Australian White coffee. It combines the silkiness of a latte with the richness of a cappuccino, and highlights the coffee's original flavor more than a latte does. Around this coffee, there has long been a dispute over its place of origin between Australia and New Zealand. Starbucks officially traces it back to Australia in the 1980s, while New Zealand insists that Wellington is where it is perfectly presented. In addition to the topic of origin, this article will also analyze Starbucks' preparation parameters, whether an authentic Flat White is suitable for iced drinking, the coffee beans and extraction methods needed for home preparation, and will compare in detail its differences from a latte in cup size, milk foam thickness, and flavor focus. [more…]