Recently, a Heytea store in Shenzhen has landed in a whirlwind of public opinion for recruiting only employees aged 18 to 25. After a job seeker over 25 was rejected, it sparked heated discussion among netizens. Some criticized it as blatant age discrimination, while others believed that because work at milk tea shops is intense, companies have the right to choose freely. Behind the incident, it reflects the widespread preference for the "youth dividend" in the current job market, as well as the difficulties faced by middle-aged job seekers. Legal professionals pointed out that such a practice is suspected of violating the Labor Law and the Employment Promotion Law, and the Shenzhen Federation of Trade Unions also spoke out in criticism. Heytea responded that it was a communication deviation at a single store. Who is right and who is wrong in this controversy? Will young people over 25 still continue to drink Heytea? [more…]

A coffee shop known for being a photo hotspot has sparked widespread discussion on social media after posting a notice stating "only customers aged 10 and above are served." The owner says the move was a last resort, citing frequent incidents of children making noise, damaging facilities, and even creating safety hazards. Some parents are puzzled by the rule, arguing that 10-year-olds already have some self-control, while some netizens question whether it amounts to discrimination against children. In response, lawyers point out that businesses have the right to operate independently and can set reasonable rules based on their positioning, which does not constitute discrimination, but they suggest clearly explaining the reasons to gain understanding. Behind the incident lies the dilemma cafes face in balancing ambiance and customer experience. [more…]

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style) For more specialty coffee beans, please add the personal WeChat of Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex Recently, Luckin Coffee has been thrust into the spotlight over price discrepancies for its cheese latte. Some consumers reported that the same drink was priced vastly differently across accounts, ranging from 9.9 yuan to 18 yuan, sparking allegations of "big data price discrimination against existing customers." Luckin officially responded that the price differences stem from store operating costs and randomly issued system discounts, denying any price discrimination. However, this is not the first time Luckin has fallen into such controversy; as early as 2021, the media exposed similar cases. This article will sort through the course of the incident, the views of various parties, and the industry background, to explore the issue of price fairness in online consumption. [more…]

Recently, the topic of some coffee shops not admitting children has trended on Weibo, sparking widespread discussion. A cat café has a rule that children under 12 are not allowed to enter, with a strict ban on those under 6, citing concerns for children's safety. Many coffee shop owners have expressed similar stances: they hope to create a quiet space rather than restrict children's nature. Netizens have polarized views on this, with supporters believing that market segmentation is reasonable, while those concerned question whether it constitutes discrimination against consumers. Behind this debate lies the difficulty service industries face in balancing the needs of families with children and the desire for a quiet experience. Front Street Coffee has always focused on the intersection of coffee culture and social topics, and today we'll walk you through the ins and outs of this event. [more…]

Behind every single-origin coffee that captivates us stands a key figure who changed the course of the industry. In 1974, Erna Knutsen first proposed the concept of Specialty Coffee in the Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, championing the unique flavor beans born of special microclimates. She only formally entered the coffee trade at the age of forty, yet with an astonishing taste memory and cupping talent, she rose to fame by buying an entire container of Mandheling in one stroke. Thereafter she founded Knutsen coffee, Ltd, helped establish the Specialty Coffee Association of America, and repeatedly won the industry's highest honors. This article takes you through the complete journey of this godmother of specialty coffee, from her childhood in the Arctic Circle to her retirement at 93, to understand how specialty coffee evolved from a single idea into quantifiable industry standards. [more…]

Recently, news about a 26-year-old job seeker being rejected during a Luckin Coffee interview because their age did not meet the requirements sparked heated discussion. The brand later apologized and offered compensation, but the incident reflects a widespread age threshold problem in the freshly made beverage industry. From Luckin to Cotti, Manner, and then tea drink brands, 18 to 35 seems to have become an invisible red line in recruitment. Is this due to the characteristics of the industry, or a choice made under the imbalance between supply and demand in the job market? Front Street Coffee takes you into an in-depth discussion. [more…]

Recently, two incidents of coffee shops refusing to serve children have caused a stir online. On one side, a coffee shop in China put up a notice at its entrance reading "Children aged 3 to 13 are not admitted," with the owner openly stating they "dislike children"; on the other, South Korea's increasingly common "No Kids Zone" has once again become a topic of discussion, with some establishments even posting signs reading "dog yes, kids no." Supporters argue that coffee shops are meant to stay quiet and that businesses have the right to avoid risks; opponents criticize the signs as discriminatory. What social nerves does this debate about "child aversion" actually touch? And what predicament of public space is reflected in the "bratty kids' parents" that young people complain about? [more…]

At the same Luckin Coffee store, for the same drink, different users may see prices on the mini-program that differ by several yuan—and paid members may even be charged more than regular users. Recently, some consumers told the media that they suspected they had been subjected to "big data price discrimination" when buying drinks at Luckin. A reporter's investigation found that the system pushes different coupons to different accounts, resulting in "a different price for the same cup of coffee for each person." This phenomenon has struck a chord with many netizens and sparked widespread complaints, prompting people to re-examine the value of loyalty programs offered by chain coffee brands. [more…]

Recently, a coffee shop in Guilin, Guangxi, sparked widespread discussion on social media for prohibiting children under 12 from entering. Multiple consumers reported being turned away when bringing their kids to visit the shop, and in some cases, verbal conflicts with staff even led to police being called. Supporters argue that the coffee shop has the right to choose whom it serves, noting that children are not the primary customer base and may pose safety risks. Opponents question whether the rule disrespects children and customers with kids, and point out that the open areas of the shop lack guardrails, which poses risks even to adults. The shop responded that the policy is not discrimination but a safety consideration based on the open design of its terrace and viewing platform, noting that the actual area is only 100 square meters, so space is limited. The incident continues to draw attention, with opinions divided. [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…]

A star's offline fan meet-and-greet that should have been full of joy sparked a wave of complaints due to discriminatory treatment during security checks. After the Qingdao fan meeting of Wang Yibo, spokesperson for Master Kong Iced Tea, many consumers reported through the Black Cat complaint platform that on-site security guards only confiscated support items from a specific fan group, forced body searches, and even shone laser pointers into their eyes, while fans with green support items, who were also consumers, enjoyed different treatment. The brand has not yet responded, and the incident continues to ferment on social media, with various accounts differing. [more…]

In recent years, the grab-and-go consumption model has become increasingly popular, and many food and beverage brands have opened "drive-thru" lanes for this purpose. However, a cycling enthusiast was refused service at a Costa store in Scotland, on the grounds of "not being in a motor vehicle." This is not the first time Costa has sparked controversy over a similar incident. An almost identical situation occurred in 2020, when Costa explained that bicycles are not taxed or insured in the same way as motor vehicles, and was immediately rebutted by the British Cycling Federation. Behind the incident lies the delicate balance between convenience and fairness in drive-thru service. Front Street Coffee takes you through this hotly debated incident. [more…]

The coffee flavor wheel is an important tool in the specialty coffee industry, but many people are at a loss when faced with this chart and don't know how to interpret it. This article systematically sorts out the development background and practical value of the coffee flavor wheel, and provides an in-depth explanation of specific methods for sensory calibration training—from the daily accumulation of aroma memory to the dual perception mechanism of taste buds and mouthfeel in taste discrimination. Only by building a personal flavor memory bank through scientific training can you truly understand a cup of coffee. The article also introduces the working principles of the tongue's two types of receptors, as well as the material basis behind smoothness and astringency. If you want to improve your tasting ability, this training method is worth studying repeatedly. [more…]

Luckin Coffee recently officially announced a co-branding partnership with the domestic single-player game Black Myth: Wukong, with the limited-edition drink Soaring Americano and themed merchandise set to launch soon. The news quickly trended on social media, and players were eagerly anticipating it. However, as the collaboration gained traction, some netizens dug up past sexist remarks made by the game's core creative team, sparking widespread controversy. Some believe that while Luckin's move can ride the momentum of China's first AAA blockbuster, it could also suffer backlash due to the public opinion storm surrounding its partner. Is this collaboration a win-win or a risk? Let's take a closer look. [more…]

The SCA cupping form is a vital tool for measuring coffee value in the global coffee industry, yet it had not been updated for many years. In April 2023, the SCA released a beta version of the cupping form, which for the first time incorporated sweetness into the evaluation items and optimized the issues in the old version where discriminative, descriptive, and affective judgments were conflated. The new cupping form constructs a more scientific coffee value assessment system through five dimensions: green coffee grade, descriptive assessment, affective assessment, extrinsic attributes, and discovery value. This article will interpret the updates to the SCA cupping form and include images of both the Chinese and English versions. Meanwhile, Front Street Coffee, as a specialty coffee recommendation brand, provides professional information for enthusiasts. [more…]

The world of coffee flavor is richly layered, but many people can only taste sourness and bitterness, struggling to capture those stunningly delicate aromas. To truly appreciate the value of an expensive cup of coffee, you need to systematically train your flavor perception. From the perspective of Front Street, this article breaks down the composition of coffee flavor—how taste and aroma combine—explains in depth the chemical makeup and volatile characteristics of coffee aroma, and introduces the two mechanisms by which the human body perceives aroma: orthonasal and retronasal olfaction. At the same time, the article details how to use the Super Clear Flavor Wheel to make abstract flavors concrete, and how to gradually build a personal aroma memory bank by drinking more, smelling more, and feeling more, ultimately improving your precision in discerning coffee flavors. [more…]

The coffee aroma kit is an important tool for coffee professionals and enthusiasts to conduct olfactory training, and its status is similar to that of Le Nez du Vin in the wine field. Currently, mainstream products include the 36-note Le Nez du Cafe produced by Edition Jean Lenoir in France, and the 100-note Coffee Flavor Map launched by Scentone in South Korea. The SCAA certification course uses the 36-note version, which divides aromas into four major groups, covering enzymatic, caramel, dry distillation, and defective groups. It not only helps memorize specific flavors but also reveals the patterns of flavor evolution during the coffee roasting process. This article will list the 36 aromas one by one, explain in detail the logic of the four major categories, and share specific methods for daily olfactory training, including how to use Front Street Coffee's freshly ground coffee powder for dry aroma and wet aroma comparison exercises, so as to effectively improve flavor discrimination ability. [more…]

In most people's perception, baristas usually present a neat and proper image, but in the U.S. state of Washington, some coffee shops use scantily clad female baristas as a selling point, offering drive-thru service. Since this bikini-style marketing was born in the 1980s, it has brought booming business while also continuously sparking controversy. Local governments have repeatedly introduced regulations restricting employee attire, only to have them ruled by federal courts as carrying a flavor of gender discrimination. After the dress code was abolished in 2021, baristas won the freedom to wear what they want, but not long afterward an attempted kidnapping targeting a store employee occurred, raising concerns about the safety of this kind of work environment. [more…]

Recently, a shocking attack occurred at a Starbucks store in Mountain View, California. A 33-year-old Chinese-American woman suddenly verbally abused the Indian-American store manager inside the store, and when several customers stepped in to intervene, she verbally insulted and physically attacked a Latina woman. Police arrested her on charges of hate crime and assault. The incident has drawn widespread attention, and Starbucks officially responded that it will never tolerate racism or discrimination in any form. Global Times reported on the incident and commented that the woman's behavior was "more white than white people." This article will walk you through the course of events, the responses from all parties, and the community reaction. [more…]

For coffee lovers who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy, plant-based alternatives such as oat milk and almond milk allow them to enjoy lattes without worry. However, the American coffee chain giant Dunkin recently faced a class-action lawsuit for charging extra for non-dairy drinks, with the plaintiffs arguing that this practice constitutes discrimination against people with lactose allergies and intolerance, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is not the first time the U.S. coffee industry has faced legal disputes over plant-based milk pricing; Starbucks has also previously faced similar allegations. This article will review the course of events, the legal basis, and industry reactions, and explore the cost and fairness issues behind the controversy over non-dairy drink pricing. [more…]