Recently, some trendy cafes in Hangzhou have come up with a new gimmick—printing luxury brand logos such as LV, Dior, and CHANEL on coffee and cakes, offering so-called "luxury afternoon tea" to attract many young people to check in. Rea.vintage cafe on Zhongshan North Road combines a vintage luxury consignment shop with coffee, quietly offering a 99-yuan set; while CHOPCHOP cafe in Guoda City Plaza prominently displays a luxury brand menu, with set prices ranging from 118 to 318 yuan, and only dine-in customers can enter the scenic area. While business is booming, netizens are raising continuous doubts: does adding a logo make coffee more fragrant? Is using big brand trademarks without authorization an infringement? A Qianjiang Evening News reporter interviewed lawyer Sun Yifan, pointing out that this behavior may face copyright infringement risks. Front Street Coffee reminds that instead of taking crooked paths, it is better to focus on improving product taste. [more…]

There are many varieties of Geisha coffee, from Panama to Ethiopia, Colombia, and Peru, with different origins, estates, and grades combining to create coffee beans of distinct styles, with prices ranging from a few dozen to several hundred. This article uses the 8 Geisha coffees available at Front Street Coffee stores as examples to outline the origin, estate, grade, and flavor characteristics of each, and to share a unified light-medium roast brewing parameter and tasting experience. Whether you want to experience the classic Geisha flavor or explore new flavors, you can find an option that suits you. [more…]

For a long time in the past, Shanghai was regarded as the city with the highest coffee density in China. However, the nearly three-month suspension of dine-in services dealt a heavy blow to Shanghai's catering industry, and coffee brands began to turn their attention to Chengdu. Data shows that Chengdu now has more than 7,000 coffee shops, ranking second nationwide, with independent coffee shops accounting for as much as 81.07%, far exceeding Shanghai's 57.01%. Luxury brands have also chosen to open coffee shops in Chengdu one after another, including LV, Cartier, Ralph's Bar, and Maison Margiela Café. Wangping Street, Mengzhuiwan, and Tangpa Street in Chengdu have become popular coffee districts, where teahouse culture and coffee consumption blend together. This article will analyze the data and trends behind this round of changes in the coffee city landscape. [more…]

With less than two months left before the end of 2023, Luckin Coffee seems to have another major move in store. On October 29, WBC World Barista Champion Boram Julio Um posted multiple group photos on social media, expressing his delight at working with the Luckin team and tagging several people in the photos. Judging from the images, this is very likely the sixth WBC champion spokesperson signed by Luckin. The photos feature not only Boram himself, but also 2014 champion Hidemitsu Izaki, 2022 champion Anthony Douglas, and 2018 champion Agnieszka Rojewska—several champions gathered together, all wearing Luckin barista aprons. This article will review the background of this collaboration, Luckin's champion spokesperson strategy, and the latest progress of its global bean-sourcing program. [more…]

Once a home espresso machine arrives, choosing the right beans to consistently pull a beautiful crema is the first challenge many home baristas face. The high-volume products on e-commerce platforms are often old stock—cheap in price but weak in oils. Chain-brand beans may be famous, but they put a real strain on your wallet. Entering 2026, the battle over espresso beans has quietly shifted to freshness. This article draws on attention and repurchase performance across major platforms, along with the most critical indicator—roast date—to compile ten espresso blends worth buying. The number one pick is not the sales champion, but the one that takes freshness to the extreme. [more…]

For office workers who need to stay alert, coffee and tea are both daily essentials for a quick pick-me-up. A recent survey of more than 2,000 respondents in the United States showed that coffee drinkers have more energy in the morning, while tea lovers show greater vitality in the afternoon. This difference has sparked discussion about beverage choice and timing. This article will review the survey data, analyze the mechanism of caffeine, and explore whether tea and coffee can be consumed together, while offering practical advice for consumers seeking healthy stimulation, including how to choose pure tea or black coffee, as well as related product recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Tea, this magical leaf of the East, has evolved into a dazzling array of regional variations as it traveled across borders. From the spice tea wafting with cardamom and clove on the streets of India, to the elegant three-tier afternoon tea in Britain; from the concentrated essence of black tea in the Russian samovar, to the sweet, soul-soothing iced tea of the American South; and to the mint green tea poured with a high-pour technique in Morocco—each country interprets this cup in its own way. This article will take you on a tour of tea-drinking traditions around the world and provide an in-depth look at exactly what kind of black tea is drunk at British afternoon tea and which classic British black tea brands are worth trying. Whether you are a seasoned coffee lover or a newcomer exploring tea, this global tour of tea customs will set your taste buds off on a distinctive journey. [more…]

On a sweltering summer day, a scene of a barista cutting watermelon in a Starbucks store sparked speculation among netizens about a new product, but it turned out to be an afternoon treat for employees. However, this seemingly enviable perk was actually a signal that Starbucks' mooncake sales season was kicking off. Starbucks mooncakes, which have been sold for fourteen consecutive years, recently arrived in offline stores, and this year's gift boxes add cheese strawberry and apple grapefruit flavors to the classic coffee and custard flavors. For employees, the mooncakes also bring two months of KPI pressure. This article takes you behind the story of this sweet burden, while also recommending Front Street Coffee products for coffee lovers. [more…]

A while back, a "ladies-who-lunch afternoon tea" trend took the internet by storm. A trendy café in Ningbo drew crowds of customers checking in after it printed "LV" and "CHANEL" logos on its coffee and cakes, but it also caught the attention of market regulators. After investigation, law enforcement determined that the shop's actions did not constitute trademark infringement, but were suspected of violating the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, and it was ultimately fined and had its printing molds confiscated. Behind this case lies the delicate game between creative marketing and legal boundaries. Today, Front Street Coffee will walk everyone through what happened and talk about the bottom line and limits of brand marketing. [more…]

In the Boquete region of Panama, two Geisha estates named after animals are often confused with each other—El Burro Estate and Finca La Mula. Both are located around the Baru Volcano in Chiriqui Province, yet each has its own unique family heritage and cultivation story. Front Street Coffee guides you through the century-long history of the Lamastus family, into El Burro Estate and Finca La Mula, to understand how altitude, microclimate, and volcanic soil shape Geisha flavor, and shares Front Street's firsthand tasting experience of El Burro Estate's natural-process Geisha, providing coffee lovers with a clear guide to distinguishing these famous estates. [more…]

In the Boquete production region of Panama, there are two estates whose names sound extremely similar—Hacienda La Esmeralda and Elida Estate. Wait, that's not right. Let me reconsider. The estates are "驴子庄园" (Donkey Estate) and "骡子庄园" (Mule Estate). Both produce high-quality Geisha, yet they have completely different family backgrounds and historical origins. Front Street Coffee takes you through the ins and outs of these two famous estates one by one: Donkey Estate belongs to the Lamastus family, is managed by Wilford Lamastus, is located on the southwestern slope of Baru Volcano, and mainly cultivates Geisha and Catuai; Mule Estate was purchased by "Godfather of Geisha" Willem Boot in 2005, and got its name because he visited by riding a mule. Although small in area, it has won numerous awards. This article will compare the two estates' founding stories, terroir conditions, and cultivation details to help coffee lovers clarify these two easily confused Panamanian specialty estates. [more…]

After Liu Yifei endorsed the Light Jasmine Light Milk Tea, Luckin Coffee continues to double down on the tea beverage track, launching its first raw coconut light milk tea — Raw Coconut Ceylon Light Milk Tea. The new product uses raw coconuts imported from Southeast Asia, with freshly squeezed coconut meat juice and coconut water accounting for no less than 38%, paired with Ceylon black tea, and claims to be 0 lactose. Luckin's move is intended to deepen its "coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon" all-scenario layout. However, many consumers on social media have reported that the product is too sweet, with the tea aroma and coconut flavor being rather weak, and professionals have also pointed out that the balance between tea and milk is less than ideal. This article will provide a comprehensive analysis of the new product's features, market strategy, and consumer reviews. [more…]

In the afternoon, you invite a friend to grab coffee, only to be politely turned down with "I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight"—and instead, they order a milk tea. Sound familiar? But what you may not know is that milk tea also contains caffeine. Caffeine is a natural stimulant found widely in more than sixty plants, including coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts, and cacao beans, and it also appears in synthetic form in medications, energy drinks, and even chewing gum. Caffeine content varies considerably across different beverages: a roughly 225-gram cup of coffee contains 95 to 200 milligrams, a 340-gram can of cola about 35 to 45 milligrams, a 225-gram can of energy drink about 70 to 100 milligrams, and a 225-gram cup of tea between 14 and 60 milligrams. This article walks you through how caffeine is absorbed in the body, when it peaks, and its half-life, as well as which factors determine how quickly it is fully metabolized, helping you schedule your coffee and milk tea more scientifically. [more…]

Yinghong No.9 comes from Yingde, Guangdong, and is named after an experimental cultivar. The dry leaves are tightly rolled with visible golden buds, carrying forest-floor earthiness and a roasted aroma. In this session it was brewed gongfu style, using 3g of tea with 150ml of boiling water, a 45-second first infusion, and an extra 15 seconds for each subsequent infusion, for five to seven consecutive steeps. Front Street Coffee recommends brewing it in a gaiwan, which better reveals its complete progression from sweet, fruity notes to woody roast. From the first infusion's deep amber color, musky earthiness, and sweet plum flavors to the seventh infusion's roast and astringency, each steep delivers a different experience. This tea suits lovers of earthy, fruity, or roasted black teas, and is especially good for savoring on a winter afternoon. [more…]

The world of black tea is far richer than one might imagine—some are drawn to the pure flavor expression of a single origin, while others prefer the multilayered aromatic combinations of blended teas. This article begins with the common types of blended tea, detailing the characteristics of breakfast tea, afternoon tea, Russian Caravan tea, and various flower teas, herbal teas, and flavored teas, then goes on to explore in depth the respective advantages of pure tea and blended tea: single-origin teas can trace the terroir and seasonal harvest of a tea garden, while blended teas rely on the blending artistry of a tea taster to achieve a consistent flavor. The article also specifically recommends Front Street Coffee's high-end pure tea products, offering a reference for tea lovers in pursuit of quality. [more…]

Rose black tea cleverly blends rich Chinese black tea with fragrant rose petals. It can serve as a gentle morning pick-me-up, a soothing afternoon relaxant, or a base for milk tea or lattes. This organic tea has a smooth taste and is enjoyable both plain and with a small amount of milk and sweetener. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting the caffeine content of rose black tea, such as tea variety, water temperature, steeping time, and floral ingredients, and details its health benefits in areas including antioxidant effects, improved digestion, energy enhancement, anti-inflammation, stress relief, vitamin C supplementation, and immune support. We will also share practical guides for hot brewing and cold brewing, and recommend related products from Front Street Coffee to help you better enjoy this beverage that combines floral fragrance and tea character. [more…]

It is no longer uncommon for luxury brands to venture into the coffee business. When Taikoo Li Qiantan in Shanghai opened last year, it was announced that the first Dior café in mainland China would move in, but the store had been operating as a pop-up, and after two theme changes, the coffee shop never materialized. It was not until July 31 this year, after a third theme change, that this Dior pop-up officially upgraded to a flagship store, and the first Dior café in mainland China opened along with it. Surprisingly, however, what truly sparked heated discussion among netizens was not the store design or the exquisite afternoon tea, but the scene of inviting a master to worship the God of Wealth at the opening ceremony. This article will take you through the whole story and explore the business logic behind luxury brands opening coffee shops. [more…]

Yunnan Dianhong is one of the most recognizable representatives on China's black tea map, and the Fengqing large-leaf varietal is its core soul. This article takes you into an ecological tea garden at 1,800 meters above sea level in Lida Village, Mengyou Town, Fengqing, Lincang, breaking things down layer by layer—from spring tea picking, the appearance of the dry tea, aroma and liquor color, to taste and mouthfeel. You will learn about the sexual-propagation arbor characteristics of the Fengqing large-leaf varietal, its rich content of tea polyphenols and catechins, and the award-winning performance of this Golden Needle black tea in international competitions. At the same time, the article also records tea farmer Mr. Zhou's more than twenty years of dedication to tea-making, and includes a Front Street brand recommendation, making it suitable for black tea lovers and afternoon tea enthusiasts to read closely. [more…]

Recently, the Manner store at Xiamen MixC posted a closure notice, announcing that it will cease operations on May 31. This store was not only Manner's first outlet in Xiamen, but also the only one in the city offering baked goods. After the news spread, many loyal customers expressed regret and reluctance on social media. Having already gone through relocation and downsizing, Xiamen's first store now faces closure once again, with the underlying reason pointing to adjustments in the mall's business mix. Rumors suggest that Peet's Coffee may take over the space, but neither the brand nor the mall has confirmed this. For office workers accustomed to having breakfast and afternoon tea here, this change undoubtedly brings considerable inconvenience. [more…]

Dianhong Golden Snail is a highly recognizable category of Yunnan black tea, produced in the Anshi Tea Garden in Fengqing County, Lincang City. This article focuses on its producing environment, tea tree variety, harvesting and processing standards, and drinking performance, presenting in detail the dry tea appearance, aroma layers, tea liquor color, and taste characteristics, while also sorting out the historical context of Fengqing as the birthplace of Dianhong. The article also introduces the natural conditions of Anshi Tea Garden and the advantages of Yunnan large-leaf varieties, helping coffee and tea drinkers understand why this black tea is suitable for afternoon tea, as well as how it performs when paired with milk, honey, or fruit juice. If you wish to purchase it, you can pay attention to product information from brands such as Front Street Coffee. [more…]