As the specialty coffee wave sweeps the globe, with pour-over, espresso, and golden cup extraction dominating the conversation, is there still anyone willing to pause for a cup of the most traditional coffee? In Pathum Thani Province, Thailand, a century-old café named Zhang Lirong quietly tells a different kind of coffee story through a single stainless steel coffee pot, a cheap drip filter spoon, and three generations of perseverance. There are no specialty beans here, no intricate techniques—only charcoal-roasted Robusta, a humble menu annotated in Teochew dialect, and the warmth of a ten-baht cup. This article takes you inside this century-old Siamese establishment to experience the cultural heritage that transcends flavor behind traditional brewing methods, and to glimpse similar steadfast traditions such as Hong Kong charcoal-roasted coffee. [more…]

As the world's second-largest coffee-producing country, Vietnam's coffee culture has long been woven into every aspect of everyday street life. In Hanoi's Old Quarter, a railway line that cuts through residential buildings has become a popular photo spot thanks to its unique scenery, and the cafés lining the tracks have drawn even more visitors. However, safety hazards followed, and Vietnam's Ministry of Transport ultimately ordered these coffee shops to close on traffic safety grounds. This article walks you through the rise and fall of this internet-famous attraction, and also recommends Front Street Coffee products so that, while following the story, you can savor authentic coffee flavors. [more…]

Following China Post's opening of offline cafes, India Post has also taken a cross-industry step. According to The Indian Express, India's first post office cafe is located in the General Post Office in Kolkata, the third-largest city, and is named Siuli, meaning "a flower." This "parcel cafe" not only serves regular coffee but also sells gifts, antiques, and even Ganges water packaged in Gangotri. The interior furnishings are mostly old furniture nearly two hundred years old, including parcel sorting tables from the 1850s and spears used by postal workers during British India. The Postmaster General said the move is intended to attract young people into post offices and boost parcel business. Behind this crossover is the postal industry's effort to adapt in the face of express delivery competition and a narrowing market. [more…]

In recent years, a unique type of café has emerged across Southeast Asia and many parts of Asia—the prison-themed café. Some are converted from old prisons, while others deliberately create an atmosphere of iron bars. Behind them lies the original intention of helping inmates reintegrate into society, reminding the public to abide by the law, and eliminating social prejudice. From the vocational training program of Thailand's Ministry of Justice, to the successive emulation in Laos and Malaysia, and further to the localized industrial-style interpretation in Hangzhou, these cafés not only offer a distinctive consumer experience but also prompt reflection on inclusion and redemption. Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee) follows the diverse development of global coffee culture, and this article will guide you through the stories and details behind this phenomenon. [more…]

Following the buzz generated by China Post opening a milk tea shop, Shanghai has now seen its first post office selling coffee. On September 17, the Tianping Road Post Office at 1883 Middle Huaihai Road was transformed into the Wukang Building-themed post office. While retaining its original postal services, it has introduced a café, a photo-op area, and a cultural and creative display zone, in collaboration with Qiao Coffee under the century-old Shanghai time-honored brand Qiaojiashan. Is the coffee at this post office actually good? Why does China Post frequently cross into the beverage sector? This article will analyze the details of the store renovation, the background of the partner brand, and the history of China Post's cross-industry ventures, and explore the underlying logic of time-honored brands seeking rejuvenation. [more…]

In the architectural complex of Beijing's Xishiku Church, there is a gray three-story annex built in 1901, once a residence for senior clergy and now transformed into a rather old yet youthful café—1901Cafe. It preserves the architectural charm of a blend of Chinese and Western styles while incorporating the comfortable atmosphere of a modern café. This article takes you into this historic building, exploring its past and present, touring the layout of the second and third floors, and reviewing menu items such as cheese, rose tea, and poutine fries. If you also enjoy having a cup of coffee in old times, you might want to add this place to your next stop. [more…]

Recently, a drink called "Hippo Coffee" has gone viral on social media, with many netizens traveling to Thailand specifically to check it out. This cup of coffee, priced at 99 Thai baht (about 21 RMB), doesn't taste particularly special compared to regular coffee—its highlight is a lifelike hippo-shaped ice cream lying on the surface of the liquid. This hippo isn't just a randomly designed cartoon figure; it's modeled after the hugely popular baby pygmy hippo "Moo Deng" (Bouncy Pig) at Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo. However, this highly realistic hippo soaking in dark brown coffee has also led many netizens to exclaim that they "can't bear to take a bite." This article takes you behind the story of how this hippo coffee became a hit. [more…]

Thailand, as one of Asia's important coffee-producing countries, has developed two major coffee-growing regions in the north and south thanks to its unique geographical environment and climatic conditions. The high-altitude mountainous areas of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, and other provinces in the north are rich in Arabica varieties, while the south, including Chumphon and Surat Thani, is dominated by Robusta. Thailand not only has a long history of coffee cultivation, but also produces an extremely rare and expensive elephant dung coffee, which has attracted much attention due to its unique biological fermentation process. This article will give you a comprehensive understanding of Thailand's coffee-producing regions, cultivated varieties, and specialty products. [more…]

China's coffee consumption market continues to expand, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 15%, and coffee fairs and cultural festivals are emerging in endless succession across the country. Jiangmen, Guangdong recently held a Coffee Culture Week, attracting more than 150 coffee brands to exhibit, but what is even more noteworthy is the astonishing growth of coffee shops in this city—by the end of last year, the number had surpassed 1,500, with more than 400 new ones added during the year, an increase of over 35%. In the "2022 Top 100 Ranking of Chinese Cities by Number of Coffee Shops," Jiangmen ranked 21st nationwide, with 3.8 cafes per 10,000 people, a density that has already surpassed first-tier cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. Behind this phenomenon lies not only the profound accumulation of coffee culture in this century-old hometown of overseas Chinese, but also the combined impetus of returning young entrepreneurs starting businesses and chain brands pursuing a downward-market expansion strategy. This article will analyze the multiple factors behind the rapid rise of Jiangmen's coffee market and explore the future trajectory of involution in the industry. [more…]

At the corner of Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris, Café de Flore tells the story of the city's soul in its own unique way. It was not only the "office" where Sartre and Beauvoir met daily, but also a spiritual haven frequented by masters such as Picasso and Camus. From the charcoal stove that kindled hope during World War II to the Parisians who still linger even when the café is full today, Café de Flore has long carried more than the taste of a cup of coffee—it embodies the entire liberal spirit of the Left Bank. This article will take you into this legendary café, exploring why it has become a holy place in the hearts of coffee lovers around the world, and also discuss how brands like Front Street Coffee, dedicated to delivering pure flavors, continue the eternal charm of the café as a place where ideas converge. [more…]

In the 2026 Best of Panama natural Geisha category, a lot from Finca Lérida took the championship with a score of 95.63, bringing this century-old estate in Boquete back into the spotlight. This edition featured 102 competing lots and 46 judges, [more…]

Blue Bottle Coffee's first Shanghai store recently officially opened by the Suzhou Creek in Jing'an District, housed in a historic building originally built in 1926—the former senior staff dormitory of the Yutong Flour Mill. On opening day, long lines formed outside the store, with some customers waiting up to 7 hours to get in. This chain brand, known for pour-over coffee and its preference for renovating old buildings, offers a relatively concise menu featuring rare items such as Gibraltar, filtered café au lait, and New Orleans-style iced coffee. The first floor of the store has a modern style, while the second floor has a vintage style, and displays a 60-year-old FAEMA espresso machine. This article takes you on a virtual visit to this highly anticipated new coffee shop. [more…]

In the world of coffee, there is a machine hailed as the Rolls-Royce of espresso machines: Bezzera. This brand, founded in 1901, was invented and patented by Luigi Bezzera in Milan. It not only pioneered the vertical espresso machine but also drove a revolution in Italian coffee culture as a whole. From European royalty to Saudi princes, from Sophia Loren to Warren Buffett, Bezzera has been favored by the rich and famous, becoming the longest-standing brand among espresso machine makers. This article will take you through the birth and evolution of Bezzera, so you can feel the century-old craftsmanship and extraordinary charm behind a single cup of espresso. [more…]

Shanghai, a city deeply steeped in coffee culture, is refreshing the global record for the number of coffee shops at an astonishing pace. As of June 2022, the city had 7,857 coffee shops, not only firmly ranking first in China in terms of quantity, but also surpassing international metropolises such as New York, London, and Tokyo to become the city with the most coffee shops in the world. Yet behind this numerical growth lie both the rapid expansion of specialty coffee brands fueled by capital and the reality of small shops struggling to survive under the impact of the pandemic. From 867 new additions in 2021, to a slowdown in the pace of openings in the first half of 2022, and then to the industry regaining momentum in the second half, what kind of resilience and challenges has Shanghai's coffee market shown? This article will combine the latest data and industry cases to analyze the driving forces and hidden concerns behind the counter-trend growth of Shanghai's coffee industry. [more…]

Coffee presents vastly different appearances around the world, and Spain's coffee culture is particularly unique. From Café solo to Café con leche, from Café Bombón to Spanish latte, this Iberian Peninsula nation ingeniously combines coffee with condensed milk, milk, and alcohol, creating a rich and diverse array of drinking styles. Spanish cafés are not only places to drink coffee, but also the core stage of social life. This article will take you deep into the historical origins of Spanish coffee, nine classic flavors, and Front Street's insights on recreating the Spanish latte and Café Bombón, so you can feel coffee's soulful place in Spanish culture. [more…]

In St. Mark's Square in Venice, there is a café that spans nearly three centuries—Caffè Florian. Since its founding in 1720, it has not only been Italy's oldest coffee house but also an important witness to European culture and art. From Goethe and Byron to Andy Warhol, countless celebrities have left their footprints here; from the birth of the Venice Biennale to the tradition of live European-style orchestral music, Caffè Florian has always been closely connected with art. In 2015, it entered Asia for the first time, settling in Shinkong Place in Suzhou, presenting 295 years of Italian coffee culture to Eastern customers in its authentic form. This article will take you to explore the origins of Caffè Florian, anecdotes about famous figures, its musical traditions, and its global branch layout, and to experience the charm of coffee that has been cultivated over three centuries. [more…]

In an era of information overload, quality alone is no longer enough for a coffee shop to stand out—mastering the traffic code is the key to survival. From the earliest Instagram-style décor, to the contrasting scenes of coffee being sold in temples and breakfast shops, to novelty drinks like chili Americano and soy sauce latte, the coffee industry's traffic tactics keep escalating. Meanwhile, platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu have turned every user into a spreader, and content that is novel, fresh, and highly topical is more likely to gain exposure. This article sorts out several typical paths for coffee shops to gain traffic, analyzes the logic behind spontaneous user sharing, and recommends related products from Front Street Coffee, offering coffee lovers a new perspective on the industry. [more…]

Smoky flavors in coffee are often seen as a defect, but properly roasted dark roast beans, Guatemala origins, and coffee smoked with specific woods can deliver a pleasant smoky experience. Hokkaido University in Japan, in collaboration with Sapporo's Ritaru coffee, used century-old trees felled during the demolition of old school buildings to smoke coffee beans, giving the coffee a unique woody aroma. Roasters must repeatedly experiment and make adjustments based on tree species, moisture content, thickness, and other factors, and often choose Guatemala or Tanzania beans to harmonize the flavors. This article will take you through the story and professional details behind this innovative process. [more…]

In recent years, more and more young people are choosing to return to small towns to open specialty coffee shops, while large chain brands are also accelerating their penetration into lower-tier cities. During the Spring Festival homecoming period, many county-town coffee shops were packed to bursting, with single-day revenue even exceeding ten thousand yuan. Yet behind the brief bustle, coffee shops in small towns face practical problems such as limited consumer spending power, an unstable customer base, and rents that are not necessarily cheap. Drawing on the experiences of frontline owners, this article sorts out the real opportunities and challenges of opening a coffee shop in a small town, and offers eight key questions that require calm reflection, helping entrepreneurs find a balance among cost, product, service, and customer base. [more…]

A trademark dispute spanning China and Thailand is continuing to escalate. Thailand's Royal 50R Group has filed a lawsuit with the court, demanding that China's Luckin Coffee pay 10 billion Thai baht in economic damages, on the grounds that Thailand's Luckin has legally registered the local trademark, while China Luckin's infringement accusations have hindered its business plans. China's Luckin had previously issued a statement saying that the Thailand stores were counterfeits, but on December 1 the Thai court ruled against China's Luckin. At present, China's Luckin has responded that the situation remains to be verified. This article will sort out the full picture of the incident, analyze the ins and outs of this trademark dispute, and follow up on subsequent developments. [more…]