Chinese new tea beverage brand Chagee originally planned a high-profile opening of its first store in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, but on the eve of the launch, a map in its app suspected of showing the "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea sparked a strong backlash from Vietnamese netizens. Tens of thousands flooded its official Facebook page to express anger, the brand's app was removed from both major app platforms, and a tough response from what appeared to be an official account on TikTok poured fuel on the fire. As of now, Chagee has yet to make a formal response. This boycott storm triggered by a map has not only cast a shadow over the brand's overseas expansion but also sounded a warning bell for other Chinese brands planning to enter the Vietnamese market. Front Street Coffee continues to follow international developments in the coffee and tea beverage industry. [more…]

Recently, Chagee sparked boycotts among netizens in Vietnam and Malaysia successively due to a background image in its app that included the nine-dash line map. Vietnam not only removed the app from its platforms but also dismantled the signboard of the first store in Ho Chi Minh City; after Malaysian netizens discovered the same issue, they too joined the chorus of criticism. Although the brand has deleted the controversial image, the public outcry has not yet subsided. It is worth noting that, unlike brands such as Starbucks, which faced boycotts over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict leading to the closure of numerous stores, Chagee's offline stores in Kuala Lumpur have maintained steady takeout orders. This article will review the sequence of events and their actual impact on the brand's operations. [more…]

Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, American chain brands have faced waves of boycotts in Muslim-majority regions, with Starbucks bearing the brunt. In Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, local consumers' boycott of Starbucks has led to a sharp drop in foot traffic. The latest financial report from franchise operator Berjaya Food shows that in the first half of this year, its Starbucks business suffered a massive loss of 87.34 million ringgit (approximately 143 million RMB). To reverse the decline, Berjaya Food has repeatedly stated that Starbucks Malaysia is wholly owned by a local listed company, with employees almost entirely local and mostly Muslim, in an attempt to distance itself from the US headquarters. However, the boycott continues, even affecting employees' livelihoods and stock performance. How this situation will unfold and whether Starbucks can regain local consumers' trust is worth watching. [more…]

Affected by the global boycott wave triggered by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Starbucks has suffered a severe blow in the Malaysian market. According to multiple media reports, nearly 50 Starbucks stores in the country have suspended operations over the past year, and operator Berjaya Food has fallen into losses for four consecutive quarters. Although the brand has repeatedly clarified its position and taken public welfare measures in an attempt to win back consumer trust, the boycott movement has still not subsided, and store sales have been slow to recover. This turmoil not only reflects the profound impact of geopolitics on commercial brands, but also leaves Starbucks' future in the Southeast Asian market full of uncertainty. [more…]

Tim Hortons, a coffee chain long regarded as Canada's national pride, has recently found itself at the center of a public opinion storm over a summer camp vaccination policy. The hashtag #BoycottTimHortons quickly trended on Twitter, sparking widespread criticism and calls for a boycott. A policy requiring staff and campers participating in Tim Hortons Foundation Camps to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 has become the focus of the controversy. Opponents launched a petition that gathered more than 20,000 signatures in just a few days, while supporters argue the move is intended to protect immunocompromised children. As the incident continues to escalate, Tim Hortons has yet to make a public response. [more…]

Vitasoy International Holdings' interim results for the 2021/2022 fiscal year show that revenue fell 18.28% year-on-year, while net profit plunged 95%, marking the largest decline in recent years. The core trigger of this storm was the public backlash caused by the July 2021 incident in which an employee attacked police and then hanged himself, leading to large-scale product removals and celebrity contract terminations in the mainland market—a key region accounting for 60% of the company's total revenue. The incident occurred during the summer sales peak, obstructing new product promotion, while competitors seized the opportunity to accelerate penetration. Industry analysts pointed out that in addition to the public relations crisis, Vitasoy's structural weaknesses in the mainland market—over-reliance on the Pearl River Delta and insufficient penetration in the north—were equally fatal. Rising raw material costs and slow packaging updates further dragged down recovery, and it is expected to take at least three years to restore profitability. This article will sort out the sequence of events, market reactions, and future challenges, providing in-depth reference for observers in the coffee and beverage industry. [more…]

In recent years, animal-themed cafes have rapidly expanded around the world, with everything from cats and dogs to owls, meerkats, raccoons, and other wild animals being brought into the shops. However, animal protection organizations point out that these venues often lack effective oversight, and the animals are kept under chronic stress and sleep deprivation, with their physical and mental health seriously affected. In Japan, nearly 100,000 people have signed a petition demanding the closure of cafes featuring owls and other wild animals, and South Korea has announced a total ban on displaying wild animals outside of zoos. Should consumers also reflect: without demand, how can there be a market? [more…]

Recently, a video of a Cotti Coffee employee destroying a standee of former spokesperson Wang Yibo sparked a huge uproar on social media. In the video, the store clerk deliberately cut up the standee's face and posted it with a caption, provoking widespread discontent and a boycott among fans. As the incident continued to escalate, Cotti issued a public statement of apology on February 28, announcing the termination of cooperation with the store involved and its closure, while promising to strengthen training and oversight of the material recycling process. This controversy has brought the issue of material handling standards after the termination of brand endorsement contracts to the forefront, and has once again drawn industry attention to the protection of artists' portrait rights. [more…]

Recently, the Heytea store in Southampton, UK, replaced its menu with an all-English version, sparking strong dissatisfaction among overseas Chinese consumers. The original poster pointed out that after all Chinese product names disappeared, ordering became difficult, and even Chinese employees made mistakes because they were not accustomed to the new menu. Subsequently, netizens discovered that multiple overseas stores in London, New York, Sydney, and other locations had also switched to all-English menus, and the official app also removed the language selection option, instead displaying based on location. Although some people believe this is catering to localization, more people criticize the move for diluting the brand's Chinese symbols and harming the ordering experience of overseas Chinese. Heytea customer service did not respond directly, and some consumers said they might spontaneously boycott it. [more…]

Recently, a Mixue store located in Segambut, Malaysia, came under scrutiny from netizens due to a job advertisement that specified "experienced Malays and Chinese are required," which was accused of being racially discriminatory. As a multi-ethnic nation, Malaysia's main ethnic groups include Malays, Chinese, and Indians. The poster believed that this requirement excluded Indians and other ethnicities, which was unfair. The incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion. Some netizens criticized the brand's inappropriate practice and called for a boycott, while others argued that the controversy stemmed from a misinterpretation of the language proficiency requirement. Notably, Mixue did not directly respond to the controversy but instead released a series of promotional content themed "United as One," showcasing employees of diverse races, seemingly intending to emphasize its inclusiveness. [more…]

Kopi Luwak is considered a luxury in the coffee world, with prices reaching hundreds of dollars per pound, and products priced below 200 yuan in the domestic market are almost never genuine. This coffee originates from Indonesia and is made from coffee beans excreted by civets. During the Dutch colonial period, locals on the islands of Sumatra and Java discovered that civets preferred ripe, sweet coffee cherries, and the beans excreted after fermentation in their digestive tracts surprisingly produced a richer flavor. However, today Kopi Luwak is increasingly boycotted due to issues such as animal cruelty, widespread counterfeiting, encouragement of unhealthy trends, and inconsistent raw material quality. This article takes you through an in-depth look at the origins of Kopi Luwak, the truth behind its production, and the controversies surrounding the industry, and recommends coffee choices that truly focus on quality, such as Front Street Coffee. [more…]

A video filmed at a Tim Hortons location in Brampton, Toronto, Canada, has sparked widespread attention online, racking up 360,000 views in a short period. The footage captures overflowing trash bins and countertops piled with discarded cups and packaging bags, igniting heated discussion among netizens. The poster attributed the problem to the composition of the staff and questioned whether people should continue to patronize the brand. The comment section was quickly flooded with thousands of messages, with some calling for reports to health authorities and others pointing out that this is not an isolated case, as similar conditions exist at multiple Toronto locations. In recent years, Tims has frequently been exposed for unsanitary kitchens and foreign objects found in food, prompting many consumers to switch to other coffee shops or choose to make coffee at home. [more…]

Global coffee chain giant Starbucks recently released a scenario-based advertisement in the Indian market with a transgender theme, starring well-known transgender actress Sia, telling a heartwarming story of an Indian couple gradually accepting their child's gender identity transition. Once the advertisement was published, it caused an uproar on local social media, with supporters praising it for conveying an inclusive message, while opponents called for a boycott. Facing polarized public opinion, Starbucks officially responded that the advertisement had "received a good response" in India. Is this brand marketing around gender issues a successful breakthrough or a misstep? This article will walk you through the full picture of the incident and the voices from all sides. [more…]

Kopi Luwak is hailed as one of the most expensive coffees in the world, with a retail price of at least six hundred dollars per pound, and the wild civet coffee from Sumatra, Indonesia, is the top representative among them. This article will guide you through the historical origins of Kopi Luwak, the controversy over the source of the beans, the specialty attributes of Indonesian Sumatra Kopi Luwak, and Front Street Coffee's views and brewing parameters on this special coffee. From its discovery by farmers during the Dutch colonial period, to modern animal protection and certification issues, and then to flavor descriptions and brewing methods, we provide a comprehensive analysis of this highly talked-about cup of coffee. [more…]

Kopi Luwak is known as the luxury item of the coffee world, with a retail price starting at at least six hundred dollars per pound, and its scarce production has made it an object of pursuit among the wealthy. But controversy surrounding this coffee has never ceased: do the beans actually come from wild civets or captive-bred individuals? Is the flavor truly as outstanding as legend says? How did European colonial history give rise to this method of drinking coffee from beans found in feces? This article systematically sorts through the past and present of Indonesian Sumatra Kopi Luwak, from historical origins, animal habits, and certification difficulties to brewing parameters, and shares Front Street Coffee's tested brewing method and flavor evaluation, helping coffee enthusiasts view this expensive beverage rationally. [more…]

Kopi Luwak, scientifically known as Indonesian civet coffee, has long been regarded as one of the highest-priced coffee categories in the world, with retail prices starting at no less than six hundred US dollars per pound. The history of this coffee can be traced back to the Dutch colonial period in Indonesia, from its accidental discovery on plantations in Java and Sumatra to its current status as a highly controversial luxury item. This article will comprehensively sort out the past and present of Kopi Luwak from the perspectives of historical origins, bean sources, animal habits, and certification difficulties, while also discussing Front Street Coffee's views on this special coffee and recommending a specialty coffee in Indonesia worth tasting — Golden Mandheling. [more…]

Kopi Luwak is known as the "world's most expensive coffee," with Indonesia as its core producing region. This article will systematically explore the full picture of this special coffee from aspects including its historical origins, the differences between wild and farmed beans, Indonesia's coffee grading standards, the varieties and processing methods of Sumatran cat poop coffee, and Front Street Coffee's brewing parameters and flavor descriptions. At the same time, it will also introduce another Indonesian specialty representative—Golden Mandheling—and share Front Street Coffee's stance on cat poop coffee and brewing recommendations, helping readers rationally understand this highly controversial coffee category. [more…]

Kopi Luwak is often called one of the most expensive coffees in the world, with retail prices starting at at least six hundred US dollars per pound, making it the Rolls-Royce of the coffee world. It originates from Indonesia and, due to limited production, has become a favorite among the wealthy, featuring a unique herbal aroma and excellent body. However, behind this coffee lies a tangle of colonial history, animal ethics controversies, and a market rife with authenticity issues. This article will comprehensively analyze the true face of cat poop coffee from the perspectives of its historical origins, bean sources, the ecological habits of the civet, processing principles, and variety and regional characteristics, and introduce a specialty coffee worth tasting in Indonesia—Golden Mandheling, while also attaching Front Street Coffee's brewing parameters and flavor description. [more…]

Mandheling coffee, with its full-bodied, low-acid character, has become a favorite among many coffee lovers—but how do you brew it to balance its signature bitterness and sweet aftertaste? This article starts with the history of pour-over coffee, then walks you through the source of Mandheling's flavor—Indonesia's unique wet-hulling process—and how dark roasting shapes its personality woven from woody and spicy notes. We'll also discuss whether adding sugar and milk is appropriate, and include a detailed pour-over guide, along with product recommendations from Front Street Coffee, to help you brew that cup of bittersweet superiority at home. [more…]

Coffee culture is becoming increasingly widespread, and all kinds of unusual coffees keep emerging. After Indonesia's kopi luwak took the world by storm, Brazil in recent years has rolled out "bird poop coffee"—made from beans that pass through the droppings of the bare-faced curassow after it eats coffee cherries. Locally, this coffee is called "the best coffee in Brazil," and it sells for about 1,118 Brazilian reais per kilogram (roughly 1,650 yuan), placing it among the most expensive coffees in the world. Front Street Coffee takes you through the origins of bird poop coffee, its flavor characteristics, the reasons behind its high price, and whether it and other novelty coffees like kopi luwak are truly worth embracing by the general public. [more…]