As the saying goes, "To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools." Many coffee enthusiasts, when scrolling online and coming across various functional coffee gadgets, are often drawn in by their good looks and labels like "must-have神器" and "extraction aid," and can't resist adding them to their shopping carts. But after buying them and bringing them home, they discover that most of these things end up as "beautiful junk." To make a delicious cup of coffee, how many tools do you actually need? Does having more complete equipment and more professional gear make coffee taste better? This article reviews eight types of auxiliary tools—portafilter basket cleaning brushes, automatic portafilter cleaners, portafilter basket storage racks, portafilter basket tamping aids, portafilter scale stands, automatic drip bag brewing machines, small stainless steel bean hoppers, and filter paper presses—analyzing their practicality and their uselessness one by one, to help you avoid unnecessary expenses. [more…]

Guming teamed up with Pan Hu Design Lab to launch a Spring Festival limited-edition "Fortune and Prosperity in Motion" themed packaging. One of the designs, a takeaway cup featuring a rotating interactive element, attracted considerable consumer interest thanks to its novel concept — some customers even placed orders specifically to collect the cup. However, many customers discovered upon receiving the actual product that the snake pattern on the cup body was hard to make out, and rotating the cup to the left as instructed produced no movement at all — a far cry from the dynamic effect advertised by the brand. Guming staff later explained that the rotating effect requires a special cup sleeve to work, and that this sleeve needs to be assembled. Due to the heavy order volume during the Spring Festival, some stores overlooked including it, which significantly undermined the customer experience. The incident sparked widespread discussion online, with some arguing that the promotional materials failed to clearly indicate the importance of the cup sleeve, while others pointed out that stores should ensure all accessories are complete before serving orders. [more…]

As 2023 draws to a close, it's worth looking back and counting just how many cups of coffee and milk tea you drank this year—there's a simple, blunt way to do it: see how many drink packaging bags you've stockpiled at home. Some of these bags are nicely designed, some are sturdy and durable; throwing them away feels wasteful, but keeping them takes up space, and the more they pile up, the more they become a burden. So netizens have come up with creative ideas, transforming packaging bags into storage boxes, tissue covers, commuter bags, and even journals; now that winter has arrived, they've unlocked a new skill—using coffee paper bags to make handlebar covers for electric bikes, which are windproof and save money, and can be upgraded into thermal bags for waterproof warmth. This article compiles these practical DIY ideas and includes related recommendations from Front Street Coffee to help you turn "junk" into little joys in life. [more…]

In the pursuit of an ideal espresso, the portafilter basket—a seemingly inconspicuous accessory—often becomes one of the key factors determining the success or failure of extraction. Many coffee enthusiasts, when troubleshooting extraction problems, have heard the saying, "If your espresso extracts poorly, chances are you didn't choose the right basket." So what differences actually exist between baskets? And through what mechanisms do they influence the extraction result? This article, from the perspective of Front Street, will focus on the two core dimensions of basket diameter and capacity to systematically analyze how the basket affects espresso extraction quality, helping readers make more informed judgments when purchasing and using coffee machine accessories. [more…]

Front Street Coffee shops always stock over thirty varieties of pour-over beans, so it's inevitable that there will be leftover coffee beans that don't get used up. Simply throwing them away is truly a waste, so Front Street Coffee chooses different handling methods based on the amount of remaining grounds: when the amount is around 10g, it can be brewed directly, but the parameters need to be adjusted or a smaller-dose dripper used; if it's less than 6g, it can be topped up by blending with other beans; the coffee beans can also be made into desserts like lemon zest slices, or turned into decorative items such as aromatic bracelets. This article explains in detail the principles and key operational points of each approach, helping you make the most of every single coffee bean. [more…]

On the journey to pursue a good cup of coffee, besides high-quality beans and skilled technique, some seemingly inconspicuous auxiliary gadgets often play a finishing touch. Front Street Coffee has previously introduced sharp tools such as latte art needles and WDT needles. Today, continuing with the theme of coffee auxiliary tools, we will review the uses and methods of the secondary dispersion screen, Paragon ice ball, Lily Drip, dosing funnel, extraction observation mirror, and a silencing air blower. These tools help coffee enthusiasts and professionals complete brewing more calmly from the perspectives of even extraction, locking in aroma, improving puck distribution, enhancing operating cleanliness, making it easier to observe extraction status, and reducing noise. Whether you are a beginner just starting out or an advanced player pursuing details, you can find a practical solution that suits you. [more…]

When adding a milk ball to meet the minimum order for delivery, it seemed like an ordinary thing to do, but recently a consumer discovered something suspicious. To reach the minimum order amount, the customer spent 1.5 yuan at a coffee shop to buy a milk ball labeled "Nestlé." Upon receiving it, they tore off the delivery label and found that it was actually a milk ball with the McDonald's logo. This sparked many speculations: Did the merchant resell milk balls collected for free from McDonald's to customers? Some pointed out that there are suppliers in the market selling milk balls with brand logos, so it might not necessarily be from "freeloading." Moreover, sharp-eyed netizens noticed that the milk ball was neither Nestlé nor McDonald's, but a product from "Vitasoy." A tiny milk ball has brought up various topics about the supply of coffee industry accessories. [more…]

Blue Bottle Coffee, which has always presented itself as a specialty coffee brand, recently opened its first pop-up store in Singapore. However, this store surprisingly does not sell freshly made coffee beverages, offering only a single type of instant freeze-dried coffee powder, along with cups, brewing accessories, and other merchandise. Although equipment is set up in the store, free coffee is only available for a limited time from 12:00 to 12:30 noon, and if you miss it, you cannot taste it. The company stated that this move is the first step in introducing the full coffee experience more broadly in the local market, with a focus on promoting instant coffee and matcha products. However, many consumers who came specifically for the brand expressed disappointment, saying that they could not even buy coffee beans, which is inconsistent with the brand's一贯 rigorous attitude toward coffee. Some speculate that after being acquired by Nestlé for $3.3 billion, Blue Bottle may be gradually moving closer to the Nestlé system and might promote more products with Nestlé characteristics in the future. This article is compiled from Coffee Workshop to take you through the whole story. [more…]

In the coffee industry chain, silver skin is often overlooked as a roasting by-product. However, Japan's Ito En and Tully's Coffee have teamed up to transform this thin protective layer into water-resistant straws. Every 10 grams of coffee beans produces enough silver skin to make two straws, and it does not interfere with the flavor of the drink. In fact, Tully's Coffee had already launched eco-friendly napkins containing silver skin as early as 2012. Although these products are currently limited to some stores in Japan, silver skin-blended paper has already taken an eco-friendly step in reducing pulp usage. This article will guide you through the transformation of coffee silver skin from waste to practical accessories, and revisit coffee grounds recycling cases such as Starbucks' ground coffee straws, exploring the possibility of fully utilizing the entire coffee fruit. [more…]

In recent years, variable pressure extraction has become the most closely watched technological direction in the field of espresso machines. From Synesso to Slayer, and then to the Strada launched by La Marzocco, the design of pressure control valves has continuously evolved. This article provides a complete record of the unboxing of the La Marzocco Strada at the illy Coffee University in Shanghai, China, detailing the appearance, structure, and core differences between the Strada MP manual version and the Strada EP electronic version. The MP version directly controls water flow and pressure through an internal mechanical valve, while the EP version uses an electronic gear pump to achieve stepless pressure variation from 0 to 12 BAR and can store pressure profiles. For coffee enthusiasts following the technological development of espresso machines, as well as readers of Front Street Coffee, this unboxing record provides rare hands-on details and firsthand observations. [more…]

Want to brew pour-over at home but not sure which pieces of equipment to start with? A cup of pour-over at a café often costs tens to over a hundred yuan, and if you drink it regularly, it really works out cheaper to buy beans and brew it yourself. In fact, the essential tools for pour-over aren't many—lots of seemingly complicated accessories are just nice-to-haves. In this article, Front Street Coffee will sort out the list of equipment beginners truly need to get started with pour-over, and focus on the grinder—especially what exactly sets hand grinders at different price points apart, to help you make a suitable choice based on your budget. [more…]

In the process of espresso extraction, the portafilter basket is often an overlooked yet extremely critical component. Many coffee enthusiasts, when troubleshooting extraction issues, frequently hear the saying "if your espresso extracts poorly, chances are you didn't choose the right basket" — and indeed, the basket directly intervenes in the final performance of espresso. So what differences actually exist between one basket and another? And through what means do they influence extraction? In this article, Front Street Coffee will explore two core dimensions — basket diameter and basket capacity — explaining the accessory compatibility issues brought about by different diameters, as well as how the surface area and thickness of the coffee puck affect water contact and resistance levels. We will also discuss the logic behind a basket's dose limit, helping everyone make more suitable judgments when purchasing and using a coffee machine. [more…]

Coffee shops are popping up everywhere, and a nine-yuan-ninety cup has become the norm, but after the pandemic, consumer attitudes have shifted, and more and more people are choosing to make coffee at home. This isn't just about saving money—it's an active choice about one's lifestyle: picking your favorite beans, brewing whenever you like, enjoying the fun and sense of accomplishment of DIY, with no queuing for a table and no restrictions from business hours. From moka pots to semi-automatic espresso machines, from cone-shaped drippers to all kinds of accessories, a corner of the home gradually fills up with coffee gear and becomes a one-of-a-kind "home coffee corner." It is both a practical space and a carrier of ritual and happiness. This article takes you through how this corner has gone mainstream, and why it keeps people endlessly hooked. [more…]

Recently, a post about Mixue Bingcheng employees wearing cigarette-shaped decorations sparked heated discussion on social media. The poster pointed out that store employees had cigarette-shaped hair clips attached to the brims of their baseball caps, arguing that this makes smoking seem entertaining and normalizes it, and expressing concern about the negative impact on brand image and consumer perception. Some netizens speculated that this was just young staff members playing around, while other Mixue employees emphasized that the stores strictly prohibit smoking. However, most voices still held that employees wearing uniforms represent the company's image, and cigarette decorations easily raise hygiene concerns, especially potentially setting a bad example for underage customers. After the incident gained traction, a person believed to be the store manager and official customer service responded one after another, acknowledging the inappropriate behavior and stating that it had been rectified. Front Street Coffee continues to follow developments in the coffee and beverage industry, bringing you the latest report. [more…]

The StayReal Cafe at Guangzhou's Parc Central has recently seen long queues at its entrance, with the store packed and orders streaming in continuously. This is not a promotion for a new store, but a farewell—due to the lease expiring and the brand not renewing it, this trendy coffee shop co-founded by Mayday's Ashin and artist No2Good is about to withdraw from Guangzhou. The StayReal clothing store in the same mall closed the night before, while the coffee shop will remain open until October 27. From the opening of its first South China store in 2016, which invited world-class coffee master Lin Dongyuan to show support and saw hundreds of fans queue overnight, to now closing stores one after another due to lease expirations, StayReal Cafe's situation reflects the dilemma celebrity catering brands face between fan economy and the mass market. Some netizens say that if the Guangzhou Parc Central store ends operations, the brand's coffee shops will have only one left in Shanghai. [more…]

Many Moka pot users are often puzzled by their inability to extract ideal coffee crema; in reality, this is closely tied to bean selection, grind size, water temperature control, and the pressure of the equipment itself. Drawing on Front Street Coffee's practical experience, this article systematically breaks down the nature of crema in the Moka pot and shares specific methods for enhancing its richness. The content covers tips for choosing fresh dark-roasted beans, key operating points for fine grinding and using hot water, and application techniques for double-valve Moka pots and pressurization accessories, helping coffee enthusiasts make a rich, full-bodied cup of Moka pot coffee at home. [more…]

Want to brew a good pot of coffee at home but don't know which equipment to start with? Faced with the bewildering array of brewing devices on the market, beginners often find themselves spoiled for choice. This article will go through the various pieces of equipment needed for pour-over coffee one by one, in order of importance—from the grinder, which is most worth investing in, to the pour-over kettle that affects water flow control, and on to accessories like the dripper, filter paper, and digital scale—offering specific buying advice and budget suggestions. At the same time, for what kind of coffee beans to choose at the beginner stage, it also provides reference directions for Front Street Coffee's everyday drinking beans, helping you put together a handy set of brewing gear within a limited budget. [more…]

Integrating a home espresso machine into daily life comes down to turning the brewing process into a stable, repeatable habit. From start-up to cleanup, the full rhythm of making a latte takes about eight to ten minutes, and once you're proficient, the routine flows naturally, like brushing your teeth in the morning—no need to think twice. The machine takes about five minutes to preheat, and during that time you can grind and weigh the coffee. [more…]

The joy of pour-over coffee lies not only in the variation of flavors, but also in constantly trying new accessories. This article focuses on a small accessory called Lily drip, which originated from an accidental inspiration—placing glass marbles into a conical dripper unexpectedly gave rise to a small toy that can change the extraction effect. The article will combine a brewing example of Yirgacheffe Gedingding to share parameters such as 15g of coffee grounds, a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, 92°C water temperature, and a three-stage pour, and will also explore whether the V60 dripper is compatible with cake filters. If you are interested in optimizing pour-over details, you may as well follow Front Street's perspective and take a look. [more…]

The city-exclusive fridge magnets that HEYTEA launched for new store openings quickly sparked a collecting craze, thanks to designs that incorporate local characteristics and cultural history. Because they could only be obtained at newly opened stores in the corresponding cities, social media platforms saw phenomena such as cross-city proxy purchases, swaps, and even high-priced buyouts. The free merch was resold on second-hand platforms for 40 to 100 yuan, and HEYTEA later responded that it did not endorse high-priced buyouts, and planned to launch a monthly points redemption campaign so that more consumers would have a chance to collect fridge magnets from different cities. [more…]