What is a microlot coffee bean? Will the quality of microlot coffee beans be better than that of regular batches? Now, when drinking single-origin coffee, it is very easy for us to trace back to which country, which producing area, and even to the ha [more…]

When faced with a new bean, roasters typically start by gathering origin information and the flavor descriptions provided by the green bean supplier, then gradually adjust through test roasts and cupping. Front Street Coffee Costa Rica Mozart is known for its unique raisin honey process and complex aroma. This article documents the complete roasting exploration process for this bean: first, three test roasts were conducted using a stepwise decreasing heat and extended dehydration approach, but cupping revealed the flavor was rather light; subsequently, three more roasts were done using rapid dehydration and increased heat to drive aroma, and ultimately a curve combining floral notes and fermented winey aroma was selected. The article also includes pour-over extraction parameters and brewing techniques for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

The Huakui coffee beans from the Sidamo region of Ethiopia have long been favored by coffee enthusiasts for their unique berry-like sweetness and acidity along with fermented aromas. 2022 marks the sixth year since Huakui rose to fame, and the new harvest's 6.0 batch should have been highly anticipated; however, problems such as shipping disruptions and a relatively high defect rate in the green beans followed one after another. After Front Street Coffee received the 6.0 batch, it found the overall defect rate to be relatively high. After communicating with the importer Hongshun, it decided not to sell this batch this year and instead use naturally processed Huakui coffee beans from the same region and the same processing station. This article will guide you through the origins of Huakui, the distribution of various processing stations in the Hambela region, the reasons for the division between Huakui and Small-Bean Huakui, as well as Front Street Coffee's recommended brewing method and flavor description, helping you gain a more comprehensive understanding of these coffee beans. [more…]

When selecting coffee beans, you may have noticed the term "micro-lot coffee." Literally, it seems to refer simply to a smaller batch of beans, but the reality is far more than that. The core of a micro-lot lies in being "specially treated" or "having something unique," rather than merely being low in volume. This article will walk you through the true meaning of micro-lot coffee and introduce different categories one by one, including innovative experimental, meticulously selected, air-freight pre-heated, and private custom types. We will also mention Hacienda La Esmeralda's annual process of selecting the best plots through cupping for auctions, as well as information about Front Street Coffee, to help you fully understand the diverse aspects of micro-lot coffee. [more…]

OATLY recently conducted a precautionary recall of 12 batches of Oat Drink Deluxe 330ml oat milk in the Chinese market. The recall was triggered by its U.S. manufacturing partner Lyons Magnus initiating a large-scale recall of 53 beverages due to failure to meet commercial sterility standards, involving multiple OATLY product lines. Although testing found no microbial contamination in the Chinese products and they were not on the U.S. recall list, OATLY still proactively recalled them out of safety concerns, sparking widespread discussion among consumers about food safety. This article will review the sequence of events, the official response, and the nutritional controversy surrounding oat milk, while retaining relevant recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Yunnan small-bean coffee actually refers to the Arabica small-fruited species grown in Yunnan. Since 1892, when missionaries planted the first coffee tree in Zhukula, Yunnan coffee has gone through a century of ups and downs. This article reviews the planting history of Yunnan coffee, the style characteristics of its main cultivated varieties, Typica and Bourbon, and the impact of the introduction of Catimor on the industry. It also introduces how the altitude and climate conditions of core production areas such as Lincang and Baoshan shape coffee flavor, and shares Front Street Coffee's practice and experience of growing the Typica variety in Lincang, Yunnan. [more…]

After the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) took effect, Costa Rica responded swiftly, launching its first batch of coffee beans compliant with EUDR standards. This batch, totaling 275 bags of 60 kg each, comes from the Tarrazú cooperative, has been successfully sold, and will be shipped to Italy. The initiative, jointly driven by the United Nations Development Programme and the Costa Rican Coffee Institute, is seen as a key step for the country to adapt to climate change and secure its European market. Facing the dual pressures of declining production and competition from neighboring Central American countries, Costa Rica is seeking to boost its industry's competitiveness through green certification. Front Street Coffee continues to follow developments in global coffee-producing regions, bringing first-hand information to enthusiasts. [more…]

Every year before the new-crop Huakui coffee beans arrive at port, the domestic coffee community is already abuzz with discussion. In May 2023, Huakui 7.0 officially arrived in China, yet it sparked considerable skepticism: Why doesn't it taste like "Huakui"? Why do the flavors lean toward Yirgacheffe? Is it still Huakui if it's not from the Buku Abel processing station? This article starts from the origins of Huakui, traces how the 2017 TOH championship batch got its name, analyzes the relationship between Buku Abel village and the surrounding processing stations, explains the flavor expression of Huakui 7.0 and the typical characteristics of Sidamo natural beans, and shares Front Street Coffee's roasting and cupping results for this batch of new beans. [more…]

In 2020, Hacienda La Esmeralda introduced a natural process for its Blue Label Geisha, delighting many coffee lovers; however, in 2021 the estate announced that it would retain only the Red Label and Green Label series, and the Blue Label seemed to quietly exit the stage. Just as speculation was rife, a batch of Panamanian Geisha named Las Rocas quietly appeared on the market, and according to Front Street Coffee, this is precisely the rebranded Esmeralda Blue Label batch. This article sorts out the grade classifications and flavor differences among Hacienda La Esmeralda's Red Label, Green Label, and Blue Label, reviews the whole story of the Blue Label's "disappearance" and "reappearance," and introduces the washed processing characteristics and pour-over approach for this Las Rocas Volcanic Rock Geisha, providing coffee fans who love Blue Label Geisha with a complete reference for purchasing and brewing. [more…]

In the specialty coffee world, Geisha and Huakui are two beans you can't avoid. Huakui rose to fame after winning the 2017 TOH sun-dried category championship, and its legendary feat of defeating Geisha in the China region of the World Brewers Cup. Since then, Huakui has been updated year by year with its X.0 series, from 2.0 to 5.0, with flavors and batches constantly changing. In 2022, the Huakui 6.0 green beans arrived as scheduled; Front Street Coffee pre-ordered immediately and received the Hongshun batch, only to find the beans had noticeably more defects. To ensure quality, Front Street Coffee separately sourced another batch of Huakui from the same processing station (buku) and conducted a cupping comparison. This article will detail the flavor characteristics of Huakui 6.0, its differences from 5.0, and the price and purchasing advice for the new-season Hambela Huakui, providing a reference for coffee enthusiasts. [more…]

Yunnan coffee has frequently appeared in domestic cafés, but few people truly understand its flavor profile. As a representative of Asian beans, Yunnan small-holder coffee has both herbal and pine undertones, along with regional characteristics like brown sugar, tea-like notes, and plum acidity. In terms of varieties, Typica and Catimor form the two main lines of Yunnan coffee: the former is an ancient, high-quality Arabica variety with excellent cupping performance; the latter has strong disease resistance but slightly inferior flavor. Regarding production areas, Baoshan, Pu'er, Lincang, and Dehong each have their own advantages, and Front Street Coffee has even established its own estate in Lincang to cultivate Typica. This article will also share Front Street's medium-light roast brewing parameters and the flavor description of the 2013 sun-dried Typica, giving you a comprehensive understanding of Yunnan coffee. [more…]

Yunnan coffee cultivation is dominated by Catimor, but the oldest Arabica variety, Typica, still shines thanks to the persistence of Front Street Coffee. Front Street currently offers washed Yunnan small-bean coffee, sun-dried Catimor coffee, and 2013 sun-dried Typica coffee, each with its own following. This article systematically sorts out the essential differences between Typica and Catimor, from variety origins, disease resistance, and yield differences to cupping flavors and the distribution of Yunnan's main producing regions, and shares Front Street's roasting approach for Yunnan beans and V60 brewing parameters, helping coffee lovers understand the past and present of Yunnan coffee more comprehensively. [more…]

In the specialty coffee world, auction lots and same-lot coffees are often lumped together, but the two differ fundamentally in quality and scarcity. This article begins with a real sourcing experience at Front Street Coffee, recounting the team's attempt to purchase COE26 same-lot beans after missing out on an Ethiopian COE auction lot. The article systematically sorts out the competition format and process of the COE Cup of Excellence, the conceptual difference between auction lots and same-lot beans, and documents in detail this Yirgacheffe Worka washed bean's regional background, processing method, roasting curve, cupping performance, and brewing parameters. Will the final cupping result deliver the matcha aroma as hoped? Can same-lot beans replicate the surprise of an auction lot? The answer will be revealed in the article. [more…]

Front Street Coffee is launching a limited-time special promotion, covering selected drip bags, six best-selling everyday beans, and thirteen specialty coffee beans, with single-origin beans discounted by up to 50%. Among them, Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda Blue Label Geisha is offered at half price—49 yuan for 100 grams—while everyday beans such as Yunnan small-batch, washed Yirgacheffe, and Mandheling are only 9.9 yuan. This season’s drip bags are 19.9 yuan for a box of ten, with free shipping nationwide. The promotion runs from July 15 to July 17, only this once. Whether you need everyday staples or want to try the Geisha flavor profile, this sale is worth checking out. Below, we introduce each product and its flavor characteristics in the order of drip bags, everyday beans, and specialty beans. [more…]

What exactly does Geisha 1500 refer to? And what is its relationship with Hacienda La Esmeralda's Blue Label Geisha? In 2020, Hacienda La Esmeralda added a natural process to its Blue Label series, which briefly made enthusiasts cheer for the arrival of an era of affordable Geisha; however, in 2021 the estate officially announced only the Red Label and Green Label, and the Blue Label seemingly disappeared, sparking much speculation. It was not until late September of the same year that a batch of Panamanian Geisha named Las Rocas appeared, and according to Front Street Coffee, it was in fact the reincarnation of Hacienda La Esmeralda's Blue Label batch. This article will sort out the classification standards and flavor differences of Hacienda La Esmeralda's Red Label, Green Label, and Blue Label, and reveal the truth behind the Blue Label's makeover, while also introducing the Esmeralda Red Label and Green Label Geisha that Front Street Coffee has supplied year-round, making it easier for readers to make a purchase. [more…]

In 2021, Panama's Hacienda La Esmeralda suddenly announced the cancellation of the Blue Label Geisha grade, leaving many enthusiasts who wanted to taste Geisha flavors at an affordable price feeling disappointed. However, in October of the same year, a Panama Boquete Geisha named Las Rocas quietly arrived at port. After extensive verification by Front Street Coffee, it was confirmed to be from Hacienda La Esmeralda, filling the market gap left by Blue Label. This article reviews Hacienda La Esmeralda's plot divisions and Geisha grading system, explains in detail the washed and natural processing methods, and shares Front Street's medium-light roast profile and three-stage brewing method, taking you through a comprehensive understanding of Blue Label Geisha's unique charm and its inheritance relationship with Las Rocas. [more…]

How long does it actually take for green coffee beans to go from hitting the pan to being roasted? In order to hear the sound of "first crack" with his own ears, Front Street Coffee deliberately conducted three rounds of home-roasting experiments using a frying pan and an open flame on a stove, testing the performance of naturally processed Santa Vini and washed Kafa Forest under different heat levels. The article records the time points for each batch of beans' color change, silver skin shedding, and the appearance of cracking sounds, as well as the final cupping flavor differences, while also sharing practical experience on how to judge heat level and the timing for taking the beans out when there is no professional coffee roaster. [more…]

Ethiopia is widely recognized as the birthplace of coffee and is Africa's largest coffee producer, known for beans with rich fruity and floral notes. Among the many Ethiopian beans at Front Street Coffee, Huakui is undoubtedly the most attention-grabbing, and it has now been updated to Front Street Huakui 8.0. What exactly makes this bean so popular? The story begins with a harvest-season flavor competition in 2017. That year, DW Coffee Company submitted a natural-process bean from the Buku Abel washing station, which won the natural category championship with intense berry aroma and a creamy mouthfeel. It was later named "Huakui" by domestic traders, and it became famous after a competitor used it in the China region of the World Brewers Cup to defeat many Geisha contenders. This article will sort out Huakui's origin background, its rise to fame, and the origin of naming each year's lot with "X.0" starting in 2018, and introduce the flavor performance of this year's Front Street Huakui 8.0. [more…]

Water makes up 60 to 70 percent of the human body, and adults need to drink 3 to 5 liters of water per day, so drinking water safety is directly related to everyone's health. As consumer demand for packaged drinking water continues to grow, the actual quality of products labeled "purified" or "mineral" on the market has become a focus of public attention. Recently, the Guangdong Provincial Administration for Market Regulation released food sampling inspection notices for the 30th to 33rd batches of 2024, and several well-known drinking water brands, including Luhushan, Alps, and Ruishan Tianquan, were placed on the list of non-compliant products after Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected. This opportunistic pathogen poses a relatively high health risk to people with weakened immune systems. How did the companies involved respond? What purchasing advice did regulators provide? This article will sort out the details for you. [more…]

The Henan Provincial Market Supervision Administration recently published its 2024 No. 39 food safety notice, showing that of 1,040 batches of food across 21 major categories sampled, a total of 24 batches failed. Among them, a "Yangtze River North Bank" oolong tea-flavored beverage, nominally produced by Xunxian Fuxinyuan Beverage Factory, was blacklisted because its total bacterial count did not meet national standards. An investigation found that the manufacturer not only had a prior record of product sampling failures, but was also ruled by a court to have infringed upon Nongfu Spring's packaging through counterfeiting, and has now been listed as a dishonest judgment debtor. More notably, the outer packaging of this oolong tea is highly similar to Suntory oolong tea, and many consumers who mistakenly bought it on e-commerce platforms complained loudly after being duped. [more…]