Starting in July 2024, all beverage bottle caps on containers under 3 liters within the EU must remain attached to the bottle body, as a directive dating back to 2019 aimed at reducing the environmental impact of plastic products officially takes effect. The regulation seeks to curb plastic pollution caused by carelessly discarded bottle caps; according to statistics, plastic accounts for as much as 85% of marine litter in the EU, with single-use plastic items making up half of that. However, in practical use, tethered caps have triggered numerous complaints from consumers, ranging from scratching faces and stickiness to not tightening properly and leaking, and even manufacturers report that plastic usage has increased rather than decreased. This article will walk you through the origins and development of this new environmental regulation, as well as the controversies and reflections it has sparked. [more…]

Recently, a Sam's Club store in Nanjing was exposed by a consumer: a full case of blood orange chia seed juice tea beverage they purchased contained two foreign objects, one large and one small, despite being unopened, and the smaller piece was suspected to be black mold. After the consumer's communication with the store yielded no result, Sam's national customer service only offered compensation in the form of a coupon of equivalent value. This is not the first time Sam's Club has been embroiled in a food safety controversy; previously, Shenzhen, Changzhou, and other places also reported incidents one after another, including insect eggs attached to milk and teeth found in fresh meat mooncakes. Complaints of this kind are common on social platforms. Data from the Black Cat Complaint platform shows that in September alone, Sam's Club received 70 complaints, many involving food safety. As a high-end membership store under Walmart, Sam's quality control problems are arousing concern among more and more consumers. [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow our WeChat official account: Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee). The AeroPress looks like a syringe; without really looking into it, you wouldn't think it's a coffee brewing device, and if you do look into it seriously, you'll also discover that there are competitions specifically for brewing with the AeroPress. [more…]

In 2021, Coca-Cola carried out a new round of visual packaging upgrades for its product line, with Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, and Coke Zero all receiving more minimalist new looks. This redesign continues the "One Brand" strategy introduced in 2015. The most noticeable change is that the logo has been moved upward, and the classic ribbon element has been removed, giving the overall style a clean and crisp feel. In terms of color schemes, the classic version retains the red-and-white combination, the Diet version adopts red and silver, and the Zero version forms a high-contrast look with a black logo against a red background. At the same time, at the end of last year Coca-Cola also launched an eco-friendly paper bottle prototype called "Adez," jointly developed by its Brussels lab and the Danish company Paboco. It uses a paper shell with a plastic liner and a recyclable plastic cap, further conveying the concept of sustainable development. This article will compare the old and new packaging changes in detail and review these two noteworthy developments. [more…]

"Boss, the funnel you use for pouring beans looks pretty unique—where'd you buy it?" "It's just something that came free with the AeroPress." Only then did I remember that in a corner of Front Street Coffee, there was a long-dust-covered AeroPress. Its syringe-like shape makes it hard to imagine that it's a brewing device. There's even a dedicated AeroPress brewing competition, which [more…]

The AeroPress looks like a large syringe, yet it is a manual coffee device that combines three extraction principles—immersion, filtration, and pressure—and even has its own competitive tournament. Its structure consists of three parts: the chamber, the filter cap, and the plunger, and brewing can be completed with a round paper filter, a stirrer, and a funnel. The method of use divides into two routes: upright (standard) and inverted. The upright method is intuitive but tends to drip during pouring, while the inverted method offers better stability but requires flipping the chamber. This article will use 15 grams of Front Street Coffee Brazil Queen Estate coffee grounds as an example, with the grind size controlled at 85% passing a No. 20 sieve and a water temperature of 90°C, to break down both extraction processes step by step and compare their respective pros and cons, helping enthusiasts find the method that suits them better. [more…]

Beyond pour-over, there is another brewing device that is highly sought after by enthusiasts for its exceptional degree of freedom: the AeroPress. It was developed over twelve years by Alan Adler, founder of the Aerobie brand, and officially launched in 2005. AeroPress extraction combines both immersion and pressure mechanisms, and operationally splits into two paths: upright (standard) and inverted brewing, with virtually all parameters freely adjustable. It is precisely this openness that spawned a small friendly competition initiated by Tim Wendelboe in 2008, which gradually grew into a world-class event. This article will take you through the origins of the AeroPress, and include a universal inverted brewing recipe shared by Front Street Coffee, tested with Kenya Asalia beans. [more…]

Tims' newly launched fruit and vegetable drink "Cranberry Yogurt Smoothie" quickly caught consumers' attention with its unique ring-shaped packaging cup, and many people even placed orders specifically for this oddly shaped cup. However, when customers received the drink, they found that it came with a straight, thick straw, and the combination with the ring-shaped cup made people exclaim, "Is this reasonable?" The smoothie has a thick texture, and the straight straw can hardly reach the bottom inside the ring-shaped bottle, so customers had no choice but to unscrew the cap and drink directly. At the same time, Tims employees also complained that the ring-shaped cup affected service efficiency, as the slushy drink was difficult to pour into the narrow bottle opening. Whether this creative packaging is a bonus or a trouble maker has sparked widespread discussion. [more…]

The AeroPress looks strikingly like an oversized syringe; at first glance, it is hard to imagine that it is actually a professional coffee brewing tool, and even more surprising is that a dedicated competitive event has developed around it. What exactly makes this device so unique? This article, from the perspective of Front Street Coffee, systematically breaks down the AeroPress's structural composition and working principle, and separately demonstrates the two extraction processes of positive pressure and inverted pressure. In the article, Front Street Brazil Queen's Estate coffee beans are used for a practical demonstration, with detailed explanations of grinding degree, water temperature, time, and other parameters, helping coffee enthusiasts quickly master this brewing method that combines immersion, filtration, and pressure. [more…]

Recently, a post about Mixue Bingcheng employees wearing cigarette-shaped decorations sparked heated discussion on social media. The poster pointed out that store employees had cigarette-shaped hair clips attached to the brims of their baseball caps, arguing that this makes smoking seem entertaining and normalizes it, and expressing concern about the negative impact on brand image and consumer perception. Some netizens speculated that this was just young staff members playing around, while other Mixue employees emphasized that the stores strictly prohibit smoking. However, most voices still held that employees wearing uniforms represent the company's image, and cigarette decorations easily raise hygiene concerns, especially potentially setting a bad example for underage customers. After the incident gained traction, a person believed to be the store manager and official customer service responded one after another, acknowledging the inappropriate behavior and stating that it had been rectified. Front Street Coffee continues to follow developments in the coffee and beverage industry, bringing you the latest report. [more…]

Among the many coffee brewing devices, the AeroPress stands out with its syringe-like shape, and it even has its own dedicated brewing competition, making one eager to explore how it is used. This article will walk you through the origins and structural principles of the AeroPress, and provide a detailed breakdown of the complete inverted brewing process. From grind size and coffee-to-water ratio to water temperature control, every step has specific parameters to follow. We use Front Street Coffee's Papua New Guinea · Bird of Paradise coffee beans for a hands-on demonstration; the nutty aroma and smooth mouthfeel from the medium roast pair perfectly with the AeroPress extraction method. Whether you are new to this device or looking to optimize your own brewing routine, you will find clear operational guidance here. [more…]

During the holiday period, sales at tea beverage stores surged, but Guming employees were complaining bitterly about a pistachio milk cap. Since its launch in early September, this series has won customers' favor with its unique aroma, but in making the milk cap, the pistachio paste is thick and difficult to pour, and whipping takes more than 10 minutes, leaving many workers feeling overwhelmed during order surges and even calling it an "early shift nightmare." This article details employees' feedback on the production difficulties and includes related recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Starbucks has launched a dream collaboration with the classic comic strip Peanuts, unveiling a Snoopy-themed merchandise collection in Japan under the theme "HAPPINESS IS CONNECTING TOGETHER." The collaboration features a total of 23 items, released in two waves on September 28 and October 5, spanning categories such as thermos bottles, tumblers, mugs, T-shirts, baseball caps, tote bags, blankets, and gift cards, with prices ranging from 2,550 to 4,900 yen. The most anticipated item is a Snoopy plush wearing a Starbucks apron, available in both keychain and figurine versions, which goes on sale only on October 5. This collaboration not only pays tribute to the timeless, multi-generational appeal of Peanuts but also echoes Starbucks' "third place" philosophy of happiness. [more…]

Since its invention in 2005, the AeroPress has quickly become a popular device among coffee enthusiasts thanks to its unique extraction method and portability. Invented by Alan Adler, it is simple to operate yet capable of delivering rich flavors. This article will guide you through the AeroPress's origins, its features, detailed usage steps, and a focused analysis of key considerations when making espresso. It also incorporates Front Street Coffee's recommended products and practical tips, offering valuable reference for both beginners and seasoned users. [more…]

As Halloween approaches, major beverage brands are rolling out dark-themed limited editions. Heytea in the UK was first to launch a product called Dark Cheese Tea, a cuttlefish ink salted cheese tea, available only in the UK and the US, drawing curious overseas consumers to check in and try it. However, the natural seafood fishiness of cuttlefish ink has left many people calling it a letdown after drinking it. At the same time, Heytea in China will also launch a dark slim bottle blind box event from October 28 to 30, containing three vegetable juices: celery, cilantro, and kale, full of Halloween atmosphere from taste to packaging. This article takes you through this wave of dark beverages and the real feedback. Friends who enjoy specialty coffee culture, don't forget to follow Front Street Coffee's daily shares. [more…]

The AeroPress looks like an oversized syringe, and at first glance it's hard to associate it with coffee brewing, yet it happens to have its own world-class competition. This article begins with the story of the AeroPress's invention, then breaks down its structure into three main parts: the chamber, the plunger, and the filter cap, and explains how it combines immersion extraction and pressure extraction in one device. It then focuses on the more stable inverted brewing process, from Front Street Coffee's Papua New Guinea · Bird of Paradise bean selection, grind size, coffee-to-water ratio, and water temperature, to the timing of each step—adding grounds, stirring, flipping, and pressing—reconstructing step by step the process of making a full-bodied cup of coffee in 1 minute 30 seconds. Finally, it includes adjustment ideas for a 1:8 iced coffee. [more…]

On a scorching summer day, a glass of iced coffee always brings a rare moment of cool comfort. If you top cold brew with a layer of velvety cream, you get the Cold Brew Vienna, which has become quite popular in recent years. This drink is not complicated to make and can easily be recreated at home, but if you want it to reach its best flavor, the choice of coffee beans and the way the cream is handled are the two key steps. Based on Front Street Coffee's hands-on experience, this article sorts out the roast levels suitable for pairing with cream, recommended specific bean options, and the differences between milk caps and whipped cream along with suggestions for choosing between them, and it also includes complete preparation parameters and drinking methods to help you make a cup of Cold Brew Vienna at home with distinct layers and a striking contrast in texture. [more…]

Front Street Huakui coffee, as a classic staple for fruit-flavor enthusiasts, has been with us for eight years. But what exactly qualifies a bean to be called "Huakui"? Why does it get a new version number every year? And to fully unlock this bean's berry and creamy qualities, what brewing techniques should you master? This article will trace Huakui's origins and definition from the ground up, explain Front Street Huakui's flavor characteristics in detail, and introduce five extraction methods one by one—V60, Clever Cup, French Press, AeroPress, and cold brew—to help you consistently recreate that full, juicy Huakui flavor at home. [more…]

Since winning the TOH championship in 2017, Huakui coffee has become an indispensable everyday choice for lovers of fruity coffee. From the perspective of Front Street, this article traces the origin of the name Huakui and the logic behind its version iterations, explains in detail its roasting orientation and flavor characteristics, and systematically presents the specific parameters and flavor performance of five extraction methods—V60, Clever Cup, French press, AeroPress, and cold brew—to help coffee enthusiasts fully master the brewing essentials of this Ethiopian natural bean. [more…]

The AeroPress is a unique coffee device that looks like a syringe yet has its own world championship. It was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler, a mechanical engineering lecturer at Stanford University. Its construction consists of three parts: the chamber, the plunger, and the filter cap, and its extraction principle combines single-serve immersion with espresso-style pressure. This article will begin with the origin and structure of the AeroPress, compare the two brewing methods of standard pressure and inverted pressure, and focus on demonstrating the more stable inverted operation process. At the same time, using the medium-roast Front Street Papua New Guinea · Bird of Paradise as an example, it provides specific parameters of 15 grams of coffee, 240 milliliters of water, a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:16, and a water temperature of 90–93°C, as well as a 1:8 adjustment plan for summer iced coffee. [more…]