A cafe named Mina in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has sparked widespread controversy with its "one-way blind date" model. Male customers can observe female customers through one-way glass, while the women are completely unaware of it. This practice, imitating old-style cafes in Japan, has been criticized by netizens for objectifying women as window-display merchandise. Even more worrying is that the shop also offers a so-called "companion tour" service, and incidents of male customers secretly photographing women have occurred. On June 3, Vietnamese police raided the shop. Although no direct evidence of harm to women was found, multiple violations were discovered, including the absence of labor contracts, lack of a food hygiene license, and breaches of fire safety regulations. Whether this cafe can continue to operate remains unknown at present. [more…]

When you buy freshly roasted coffee beans, many people habitually squeeze the bean bag and bring their nose up to the small hole on the packaging to take a deep whiff of the aroma. This hole is actually a "one-way degassing valve," and its existence serves a clear engineering purpose—it only allows gas to escape and does not let outside air in. This article will explain in detail how the degassing valve works, why it is not meant for squeezing to smell the aroma, and how to use the characteristics of the degassing valve to extend the coffee beans' peak flavor period. [more…]

That inconspicuous little hole on a coffee bean bag is actually an ingenious one-way degassing valve. Many people assume it exists simply so we can smell the coffee's aroma, but the truth goes far beyond that—its core mission is to prevent the coffee bean bag from bursting due to excessive internal pressure. This article starts with the "one-way street for cars" analogy commonly used by Front Street Coffee to explain in detail the patterns of carbon dioxide release from coffee beans after roasting, the differences in degassing volume under different roast levels, and why they should be sealed and stored as soon as possible to slow down oxidation. At the same time, it will also walk you through the differences between common materials used for coffee bean bags, helping you understand the science behind coffee packaging more comprehensively. [more…]

Many people think the small hole on a coffee bag is for smelling the aroma, but its official name is a "one-way degassing valve," and its core job is to keep the carbon dioxide released by the coffee beans from bursting the packaging while blocking outside air from getting in. In this article, Front Street will explain how this valve works, why freshly roasted beans have a weak aroma, and why you should not repeatedly squeeze a coffee bag—doing so actually accelerates the loss of flavor compounds and shortens the coffee's peak-flavor window. [more…]

Espresso Con Panna is not commonly seen on coffee shop menus, making it a niche presence among flavored coffees. Precisely because of this, many people do not understand the correct way to drink it, and often treat it like Affogato, scooping it out with a spoon. In fact, Espresso Con Panna has a more refined tasting method that can truly reveal the layered interplay between espresso and cream. This article will walk you through the meaning of the name Espresso Con Panna, the story of its origin, how it is made, and the correct way to drink it recommended by Front Street Coffee, so that you can rediscover this classic coffee known as the "Angel's Wings." [more…]

Espresso has always been polarizing: those who love it are captivated by its intense flavor, while those who aren't used to it find it small and bitter. Front Street Coffee is often asked: what exactly are you drinking in this small cup of coffee? This article starts with the historical evolution of espresso, explains how modern espresso machines make extraction more controllable, and then further shares Front Street's specific practices for adjusting dose, grind size, time, and yield in daily production, as well as the tasting logic of pairing it with a small spoon and ice water. Whether you want to seriously savor a shot of espresso or find a way of drinking it that suits you better, you can find the answer here. [more…]

In recent years, more and more people have chosen to buy whole coffee beans and make freshly ground coffee at home, and the coffee market has continued to expand. However, a recent recall notice issued by Costco in Taiwan drew widespread attention—some organic Sumatra coffee beans were urgently recalled because the packaging seals were incomplete. Some consumers reported finding large holes in the bags or incomplete seals during inspection. It is worth pondering that this problem may not be a simple sealing defect, but may be related to the design of the one-way degassing valve on the bag. After roasting, coffee beans release a large amount of carbon dioxide. If the degassing valve does not function properly, the pressure inside the bag becomes too high and pushes the seal open. In that case, will the coffee beans spoil? And how should beans be properly stored when stockpiling them in daily life? This article will answer these questions one by one. [more…]

Espresso is Italy's most iconic classic coffee, rich in flavor with distinct layers, but due to its intense taste, many enthusiasts feel confused about how to properly drink it. This article will systematically introduce three ways to drink espresso — the beginner-friendly method of adding sugar and milk, the strong straight-drinking method preferred by men, and the elegant slow-sipping method favored by women — while also explaining in detail the complete preparation process from dosing, distributing, tamping, to extraction. Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), using its Sunflower Warm Sun blend as an example, shares the standard parameters of 20 grams of grounds, 9 bar of pressure, and a 25-to-30-second extraction yielding 40 milliliters, helping you make a balanced cup of Espresso at home too. [more…]

After stocking up on beans during Double Eleven, many coffee lovers are asking: how long can unopened coffee beans be stored? And once opened, how should they be kept to slow down staling? Today Front Street Coffee is here to talk systematically about coffee bean storage. The article will first explain the difference between "flavor" and "taste," outline the approximate ranges of the resting period and the peak-flavor period, then analyze one by one whether common practices such as sealing off the one-way valve or using airtight canisters are effective, and focus on discussing the risks of cross-tainting and moisture absorption that frozen storage may bring. Finally, it will offer the most reliable storage recommendations to help everyone buy according to need, store correctly, and enjoy fresh, good flavor for as long as possible. [more…]

Espresso has always been the most misunderstood drink in coffee shops. On social media, many people are drawn in by the cool image of downing one in a single gulp, order a cup eagerly, and then get caught off guard by the intense bitterness. In fact, the problem isn't that espresso itself tastes bad—it's that most people haven't yet mastered the correct way to drink it. Front Street Coffee has witnessed too many similar scenes in its daily store operations, so it has specially put together this espresso tasting guide. From stirring the crema to drinking it in stages, from cleansing the palate with ice water to closing your mouth to savor the aroma, with just a few simple steps, you'll have a chance to truly appreciate the captivating layers of espresso. [more…]

Freshly roasted coffee beans don't reveal their best flavor when brewed immediately, because a large amount of carbon dioxide builds up inside the beans during roasting. This gas hinders the release of flavor compounds during brewing, so the beans need a period of "resting" to let the gas dissipate naturally. Usually, after five to seven days from the roast date, the beans' harsh, roasty edge fades and the aroma becomes fuller instead. If the beans you receive have too recent a roast date, just leave the original packaging untouched in a cool, dry place—the one-way degassing valve on the bag balances the pressure inside and out. As for "awakening" the beans, in the broad sense it's synonymous with resting; in the narrow sense it refers to exposing the beans to air for about four hours before brewing. Front Street Coffee also takes the resting rhythm into account when shipping, so that the beans happen to enter their optimal drinking window by the time they reach you. [more…]

What is the correct way to drink Americano? Front Street Coffee's baristas are occasionally asked such tricky questions by some customers, and every time this happens, Front Street tells them that as long as you savor it with care and find it tasty, that's enough. In fact, Front Street knows he is asking whether Front Street has a set of standard norms for drinking coffee, but Front Street believes that one should not be bound by conventions in [more…]

People nowadays enjoy drinking coffee not only in coffee shops, but more often they want to buy coffee beans and brew a cup carefully at home, savoring it slowly. However, how should the coffee beans or ground coffee you buy be stored so that they don't go bad so quickly? How can you better preserve their fresh flavor? Especially when you've bought some specialty coff... [more…]

Espresso is the foundation of the entire Italian coffee system, and common drinks such as lattes, Americanos, and cappuccinos are all built upon it. This article begins with the definition of Espresso and the English origin of the word, guiding you to understand why it is so popular in Italy and why extracting a shot of espresso takes only a brief 30 seconds. It will also introduce in detail the key steps in making espresso, including grinding, dosing, distribution, and tamping, and provide Front Street's extraction parameter reference: extract 40 grams of coffee liquid from 20 grams of coffee grounds, with the time controlled at 25 to 30 seconds. The article will also analyze the flavor characteristics of espresso and its close relationship with coffee bean selection, and use Sunflower Warmth Italian-style coffee beans as an example to explain specific flavor performance. Finally, it shares the correct way to drink espresso, helping coffee enthusiasts appreciate this classic coffee more professionally. [more…]

The coffee bean bag you brought home is bulging—is it spoiled or is this normal? Many coffee lovers have encountered this question. In fact, a swollen coffee bag doesn't necessarily mean the beans have gone bad—roasted coffee beans continuously release carbon dioxide, which is the main reason the packaging expands. However, not all swollen bags are harmless; if accompanied by a musty or sour odor, that's a different story. This article will walk you through the chemistry of coffee bean degassing, the mechanism of one-way degassing valves, and why dark-roasted beans are more likely to make packaging bulge, helping you accurately judge whether the coffee beans in your hands are still safe to enjoy. [more…]

The freshness of coffee beans directly determines the flavor performance of a cup of coffee, and whether the storage method is appropriate is the key factor affecting the freshness of coffee beans. From the professional perspective of Front Street Coffee, this article systematically sorts out the two major categories of coffee bean storage—the different precautions for green beans and roasted beans—deeply analyzes the mechanisms of the three major freshness "killers": light, high temperature, humidity, and oxygen, and provides two practical storage solutions: one-way exhaust valve packaging bags and vacuum-sealed canisters. The article will also answer how long coffee beans can actually be stored, the difference between the peak flavor period and the shelf life, why refrigeration is not recommended, and clever ways to reuse expired beans, helping coffee lovers maximize the retention of the best flavor of every bag of beans. [more…]

In the coffee world, it seems like everything can be reinvented in new ways, and even the way you drink coffee is no exception. Recently, a netizen shared a jaw-dropping drinking method on social media—placing the coffee cup upside down on a saucer and sipping it through a straw from the gap. This seemingly bizarre practice is actually a traditional drink called Kupi Khop from the Aceh region of Indonesia. What historical origins and cultural stories lie behind it? Why do locals still insist on this seemingly inelegant way of drinking? This article will take you on a journey to find out, while also exploring the unique flavors of Indonesian coffee and related recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

As a classic representative of Italian coffee, the charm of cappuccino lies in the golden ratio of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. But do you know the difference between a dry cappuccino and a wet cappuccino? The former has thick milk foam and a prominent coffee flavor, while the latter is mostly milk with a softer mouthfeel, similar to a latte. This article will start with the origin and naming of cappuccino, explain in detail its ratio variations and flavor characteristics, and share the correct way to taste it along with key points for making milk foam. Whether you are a strong-flavor drinker who prefers an intense coffee taste or a beginner who likes a light, milky flavor, you can find the cup that suits you. Front Street Coffee has also selected beans suitable for making cappuccino for you, helping you recreate an authentic Italian flavor at home. [more…]

Affogato is a classic Italian dessert coffee that ingeniously blends espresso with ice cream, and behind it lies a moving love story. This article will take you back to the romantic origins of this coffee, explain its recipe and the correct way to enjoy it in detail, and share practical knowledge that every professional coffee lover must have. Whether you are a seasoned coffee enthusiast or a first-time taster, you will gain a complete understanding of affogato, making every sip full of ritual. [more…]

When you pick up a cup of hot coffee, do you casually blow on it to cool it, sip it with a coffee spoon, or alternate between a pastry in one hand and coffee in the other? These seemingly natural actions may be stepping right into the no-go zones of coffee etiquette. This article starts with details such as holding the cup, adding sugar, stirring, blowing to cool, and eating pastries, to sort out a proper way to enjoy coffee, and also discusses how to accommodate coffee lovers' habits when hosting guests at home or being a guest. The second half turns its gaze to flavor itself: from the bitterness of the first sip, to repeatedly searching for that cup of coffee that intoxicates you, and then to customizing a personal coffee step by step in a coffee shop, including options such as hot or iced, decaf, ESPRESSO dose, syrup, milk type, and personalized requests, with recommendations from Front Street Coffee attached. [more…]