Lyu Liang, founder of Chayan Yuese, has repeatedly stated publicly that the brand is not unwilling to expand beyond Changsha, but rather fears that out-of-town expansion could lead to a survival crisis. However, Chayan Yuese has not only opened stores in Changde, but has also stepped beyond Hunan Province, entering the West China market and establishing a presence in Chongqing. On Children's Day, four Chongqing stores opened simultaneously, sparking enthusiastic pursuit among consumers in the mountain city, but controversy arose from day one: incidents such as three-hour queues, online orders requiring waits of over 24 hours, resold cups fetching nearly 500 yuan, and viewers being blocked in livestreams were exposed one after another. The brand subsequently responded to the markup reselling and livestream controversies. This article will sort through the sequence of events and include related information from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Recently, the Costa Rican Musician series coffee beans have sparked heated discussion after being questioned for allegedly containing added flavoring. The WeChat public account Coffee Complaints published three consecutive articles, raising claims such as the beans containing flavoring, pineapple peel being added, and the bean merchant destroying evidence. After carefully reading the entire sequence of events, Front Street Coffee believes that most of these accusations remain at the speculative stage and lack substantive evidence. Specialty coffee emphasizes variety, altitude, and processing methods; anaerobic fermentation and natural sun-drying can themselves impart rich flavors to the beans, and all unconventional operations should not be regarded as "tampering." This article sorts out the focal points of the controversy, explores the relationship between public questioning and the burden of proof, and retains Front Street Coffee's recommendations regarding product information for the Musician series. [more…]

This year, the popularity of fruit-and-vegetable teas in the beverage market has continued to rise. After Heytea helped make this category a hit, major chain brands rushed in one after another, putting vegetables like kale, wheatgrass, and beetroot into drink cups. As common fruits and vegetables ceased to feel novel, brands began looking for breakthroughs in niche ingredients. The turmeric series recently launched by Goodry is one example, yet this new product centered on a health concept unexpectedly sparked widespread controversy over its taste. Consumer reviews of turmeric were mixed, and especially the much-loved juicy orange bits drink from last year drew a strong backlash from longtime customers after turmeric was quietly added to it. Faced with an avalanche of complaints and criticism, Goodry urgently issued a notice on the same night it updated its menu and adjusted the recipe of this popular drink overnight. [more…]

Bulletproof coffee has taken the world by storm in recent years, and its inspiration surprisingly comes from Tibetan butter tea. Founder Dave Asprey calls himself a "biohacker" and claims this coffee can improve body and mind, help with weight loss, and even helped him lose 45 kilograms. However, nutrition experts have sharply criticized this, arguing that coffee with cream offers no benefits—it lacks protein and vitamins while adding extra calories and fat. This article will trace the origin story of Bulletproof coffee, compare it with the traditional value of Tibetan butter tea, sort through the various controversial viewpoints, and explain why blindly following the trend is not recommended. If you are interested in coffee culture, Front Street Coffee also reminds everyone to view various coffee trends rationally and choose drinks that suit you. [more…]

The modern coffee industry has developed various artificial decaffeination processes, including solvent extraction, supercritical carbon dioxide, and the Swiss Water Process. But in an era of technological scarcity, Indonesians had already found an unexpected way to reduce the caffeine in coffee—by plunging red-hot tamarind wood charcoal into brewed coffee. This is Kopi Joss. This street drink was not originally intended for decaffeination, but was believed to relieve stomach discomfort and ward off cold. Research by Ahmad Fauzan, a chemistry student at Yogyakarta State University, found that tamarind wood charcoal has an iodine absorption rate of 83%, which can reduce the caffeine in black coffee from 68.78 mg/100 ml to 55.13 mg/100 ml, with optimal adsorption occurring at 40 minutes. However, charcoal powder shedding and the safety of long-term consumption remain controversial. Front Street Coffee takes you through the science and tradition behind this cup of "hardcore coffee." [more…]

A hot Americano with a splash of oat milk unexpectedly revealed two different sets of charging rules—online and in-store—at the coffee chain brand Peet's. A customer selected the "add oat milk ¥2" option on a delivery platform, but was told by the store that only 30 ml had been added, and that adding up to 50 ml would require another ¥2. However, the official mini-program customer service said the option should have added about 50 ml, and made no mention of stacked charges. This confusion over the amount of milk added ultimately prompted Peet's to carry out a comprehensive overhaul of its nationwide stores and online ordering platforms, with clearly marked prices on the ordering interface. Behind this incident, what exactly are the charging standards for adding milk to Americanos at various coffee shops? And how should consumers order clearly? [more…]

Nayuki recently launched a new product, the "Double-Antioxidant Little Red Bottle," featuring freshly squeezed Yunnan tree tomatoes paired with blueberries, cherry tomatoes, lemons, and other fresh fruits. It is advertised as sweet and tangy, rich in vitamin C and lycopene. However, not long after its release, the first wave of curious consumers began complaining: a large amount of fruit peel and seeds settles at the bottom of the cup, and one sip fills your mouth with grit—some people even nearly choked on a lemon seed. Staff responded that filtering the fruit puree was not required during preparation, and the final product varies due to differences in technique. Interestingly, netizens are divided on the issue—some suggest adding a filtration step, while others believe the fruit residue is precisely proof of "genuine ingredients." Behind this controversy lies the challenge of balancing taste and health in fruit-and-vegetable teas. [more…]

Recently, a consumer shared on social media a frustrating experience with cup upgrades when ordering from Heytea, sparking widespread discussion. The customer ordered a Mango Coconut Sticky Rice drink with double fruit pulp and sago toppings, following an online guide, expecting to automatically receive a supersized cup like other netizens, but was told that an upgrade was not possible. After the incident gained traction, many netizens shared similar experiences, questioning the inconsistency in the brand's upgrade criteria. How exactly does Heytea define its cup upgrade rules? Why do differences in store execution occur? This article will review the sequence of events and analyze the underlying operational logic and possible reasons. [more…]

Recently, a classic topping at Mixue Bingcheng—egg pudding—unexpectedly turned into a milky white milk pudding without any notice, surprising and even upsetting many longtime customers. Some complained about a strong milky odor and bland taste, while others speculated that the brand had changed the recipe to cut costs. However, store employees revealed that the new recipe actually uses more refined ingredients, requires the addition of fresh milk, slightly increases costs, and contains fewer additives. Behind this pudding color-change controversy, is it a healthy upgrade or a compromise on consumer taste? This article will walk you through the course of events, what employees say, and the overall direction of Mixue Bingcheng's topping recipe adjustments. [more…]

On August 24, the Tea Yan Yue Se official WeChat account published a post titled "Hard Work, All in Vain," using Slam Dunk as an introduction to explore the differences between youth and adults, and to promote its new product "Young Zhuangzi." However, the negative sentiment conveyed by the title sparked widespread dissatisfaction among netizens, who felt it deliberately provoked anxiety among young people, and the related topic quickly trended on Weibo. Tea Yan Yue Se subsequently responded in the comments section, saying its original intention was to express that hard work may not be rewarded but the process is worth cherishing, and apologized for the inappropriate title, ultimately deleting the post. This was not the first time Tea Yan Yue Se sparked controversy over its copywriting; it had previously apologized over a "misogyny controversy" and the English name "SexyTea" incident. [more…]

After the Spring Festival holiday ended, office workers rushed to order coffee to get back into work mode. On the first day back to work, Starbucks launched a colorful paper bag printed with career blessing messages, which customers could cut open around their laptops to experience a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their workstations. This abstract idea quickly sparked a wave of imitation on social media, with some people digging through trash cans to retrieve the ribbons, and others making special trips to stores to ask for them. Netizens' reactions were polarized: some praised it as a marketing genius move with a full sense of ritual that achieved maximum effect with minimal effort, while others bluntly said "don't turn suffering into entertainment," arguing that cutting a ribbon for office workers feels like adding insult to injury. Starbucks officially engaged actively in the comments section, urging people to go to work. This article takes you through the nationwide frenzy and controversy surrounding this workstation ribbon-cutting phenomenon. [more…]

Recently, many consumers have taken to social media to report that when buying GoodTea milk tea, the separately added toppings come in a portion that is too small, covering only a single layer at the bottom of the takeout container, sparking widespread resonance. Netizens have been posting comparison photos, pointing out that GoodTea's toppings are noticeably less generous than those of brands like 1Dian1Dian and Coco. GoodTea employees responded that the brand has clear standards for topping portions, with one level spoonful being the specified amount. However, some employees revealed that stores have switched to smaller-sized topping spoons, causing the actual portion to shrink, and some staff quietly add an extra spoonful or two when managers aren't looking. This incident reflects the gap between topping standardization in the tea beverage industry and consumer expectations. [more…]

Coconut Palm Group recently released an advertisement for the eighth intake of its training school for deputy general managers, drawing attention with a maximum annual salary of 480,000 yuan and generous perks such as a car and housing upon enrollment, while also replacing its previous sexy model images with a festive wedding style, sparking heated discussion among netizens. This is not the first time Coconut Palm has found itself in controversy over its advertising—over the years it has persisted in borderline marketing and has been penalized by regulators multiple times, including a 400,000 yuan fine in May this year for using state agency personnel in commercial marketing and for advertising slogans that violate public order and good morals. This article will review the details of this recruitment drive, the changes in advertising style, and Coconut Palm Group's repeated history of marketing violations. [more…]

Recently, the Costa Rica Musician series coffee beans have been thrust into the spotlight, with a public account publishing a series of articles questioning whether they contain added flavorings or even pineapple peel, and claiming that the bean merchant destroyed evidence. After reading through the entire course of the incident, Front Street Coffee believes that these accusations remain at the level of speculation and lack substantive test reports. This article focuses on the three major elements of specialty coffee—variety, altitude, and processing method—to sort out the floral and fruity aromas that anaerobic fermentation and natural processing may bring, explore the boundary between public questioning and the legal burden of proof, and reiterate that making reckless accusations when evidence is insufficient is equally worthy of caution. [more…]

In recent years, a beverage called "bulletproof coffee" has quietly become popular on the market. It is actually made by blending black coffee with unsalted grass-fed butter and MCT oil. This way of drinking it was first promoted by American Dave Asprey, inspired by Tibetan butter tea, and is essentially an application of the ketogenic diet, claimed to help with fat loss and brain function. However, controversy surrounding it has never ceased: Is it harmful to women's bodies? Is it worth drinking long term? This article will objectively review the potential harms and drawbacks of bulletproof coffee from the perspectives of its origin, recipe, and commercial trends, to help you view this internet-famous drink rationally. [more…]

The Starbucks secret menu once led baristas to learn how to make over 170,000 customized drinks, but the extremes of personalized orders are sparking controversy. An American barista was fired for exposing a customer's 13-request order on social media, then apologized in person and settled the matter. The incident reflects the complex ordering trend fueled by TikTok, where customers pay extra fees but turn baristas into "drink-making robots," and during peak hours, it slows down service even more. This article will walk you through the full story of this uproar and focus on the issues of privacy and respect between baristas and customers. [more…]

A well-known chain milk tea brand, 1 Dian Dian, recently trended on social media due to a public welfare tweet about assisting children from impoverished families, sparking widespread discussion. The brand claimed to have helped a child living with his father in an 18-square-meter rented room by renovating the room and adding a desk and wardrobe, but netizens noticed from public photos that the aided boy was wearing a phone watch worth over a thousand yuan, and that the living conditions differed from the tweet's description, questioning whether he met the assistance criteria. Additionally, issues such as a large proportion of comic books among the donated items and the concentration of aid recipients in first- and second-tier cities were also raised. As public opinion heated up, the brand deleted and edited some posts but did not respond directly. The local subdistrict office and social work station later confirmed to the media that the recipient was indeed from a low-income household, excelling in both academics and character, and that the items were all donations. Behind the incident, the screening criteria and transparency of public welfare activities have become the focus. [more…]

During the May Day holiday, the former site of Harbin Pharmaceutical Group's No. 6 Factory, known as Harbin's "Northeast Louvre," became a popular photo spot. A coffee shop opened in its first-floor lobby launched two distinctive drinks — pairing Harbin Pharmaceutical Group's iconic small blue-bottle oral liquid with coffee to create a Blue Bottle Latte containing calcium gluconate and a Zinc Wish Latte containing zinc gluconate. However, this creative idea sparked consumer concerns about medication safety: the oral liquid's instructions explicitly warn against taking it with milk or caffeine, and both products are Class A over-the-counter drugs, not substances that can be used as both food and medicine. Under China's Food Safety Law, drugs may not be added to food, and the coffee shop's preparation method may violate regulations. Currently, the blue-bottle coffee has been taken off the menu, though it remains unclear whether this is a temporary sellout or a permanent discontinuation. [more…]

Starbucks has recently launched three new fruit cold brew products, featuring flavor elements such as bergamot, green plum, and guava, aiming to attract younger consumers with a refreshing taste. However, before the products have even fully hit the market, some netizens and internal partners have already reported that they taste similar to traditional Chinese medicine, sparking widespread discussion. Cold brew coffee, known for its strong adaptability and excellent layering, is seen as a direction for breaking through the limitations of traditional espresso, but this flavor fusion has clearly stirred up considerable controversy. Front Street Coffee continues to follow coffee product innovation and market feedback. This article will sort out the true performance of this new product from the perspectives of consumer reviews, ingredient combinations, and category trends. [more…]

Peet's Coffee recently launched a new hojicha series—Hojicha Latte and Lucky Hojicha Latte. Originally expected to ride the momentum of its matcha latte, the drinks instead sparked widespread discussion among consumers over their appearance and taste. Some netizens bluntly said the dark, paste-like look was a "turn-off," and that the visual appeal dropped once the lid was opened; on taste, feedback also pointed to a heavy powdery texture and pronounced bitterness. Although some consumers familiar with hojicha processing explained that the dark color is normal, the controversy still centered on whether the thirty-plus yuan price tag matches the quality. This article compiles feedback from various sides and retains relevant Front Street Coffee recommendations for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]