Starbucks has long positioned itself around the "third space" concept, offering customers a place to study, work, and socialize. However, as the phenomenon of occupying seats without making a purchase becomes increasingly common, many paying members report that store seating is taken up by non-consumers, greatly diminishing their experience. Recently, some netizens revealed that certain stores have begun "politely asking" non-purchasing customers to leave, requiring anyone who sits down to place an order, sparking widespread discussion. Supporters argue this helps maintain operational order, while opponents worry it damages the brand image. Starbucks customer service responded that all stores welcome customers to sit, regardless of whether they make a purchase. How will this debate over the boundaries of the "third space" ultimately affect Starbucks' future direction? [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is known as the "Emperor of Coffee," prized for its balanced flavor and long-lasting sweet finish, making it a favorite among many coffee lovers. However, in the domestic market, it is not easy to buy coffee that genuinely originates from Jamaica's Blue Mountain region. This article will address two core questions: first, whether authentic Blue Mountain coffee can be purchased domestically; and second, specific variety introductions for Blue Mountain coffee powder and drip bag products. Using the "Front Street" brand as an example, the article introduces two products—Front Street Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans and Front Street Jamaican Blue Mountain No. 1 drip bags—covering varietal purity, flavor grade, roasting method, aroma characteristics, and mouthfeel, as well as the drip bag product's production process, packaging specifications, and suitable occasions, helping readers conveniently enjoy Blue Mountain coffee even without professional equipment. [more…]

In the past two to three years, affected by the pandemic, the logistics and inventory of imported coffee beans encountered obstacles, while the price of Yunnan's local coffee beans gained upward support as a result, injecting a rare boon into local coffee enterprises. Looking back ten years, Yunnan coffee bean prices were depressed for a long time, and growers' confidence was shaken. Today, the purchase price of 35 yuan/kg has broken through historical levels. Hu Lu, deputy secretary-general of the Yunnan Coffee Industry Association, pointed out that this price is undoubtedly a shot in the arm for the Yunnan coffee industry, which is in a winter period. If this price level can be stably maintained for three to five years, the whole province is expected to set off a new round of planting enthusiasm. At the same time, the market expects this round of increases to continue until June or July, when Brazil and Colombia enter their harvest seasons, and changes in output may trigger a new round of fluctuations. Front Street Coffee reminds enthusiasts to pay attention to developments in producing areas and to grasp the dual changes in flavor and price. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee, as the earliest representative of specialty coffee known to Chinese consumers, has long been talked about for its high price and unique romantic symbolism. But do you know the true definition standards of Blue Mountain coffee? Why was it monopolized by Japan for so long? And how can you identify authentic Blue Mountain No. 1 today? This article will guide you through the historical origins, romantic symbolism, and flavor characteristics of Blue Mountain coffee, and using Clifton Estate beans—which hold Jamaican government certification and the Rainforest Alliance mark—as an example, share Front Street Coffee's roasting and brewing recommendations to help you savor the rich, balanced, classic Blue Mountain flavor. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is hailed as the "beauty of coffees," renowned worldwide for its balanced, elegant flavor. However, the prices and sales channels for Blue Mountain coffee beans in the domestic market have long been chaotic, with Blue Mountain flavors and authentic Blue Mountain coffee hopelessly mixed together. This article systematically sorts out the grading, flavor characteristics, identification methods, and purchasing channels of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, and introduces the authentic Blue Mountain coffee bean products of the Front Street flagship store, helping coffee lovers see authentic Blue Mountain coffee for what it really is and avoid being misled by confusing concepts when making purchases. [more…]

Yunnan coffee occupies a pivotal position in China's coffee landscape, and the term "Yunnan small-bean" frequently appears in discussions among coffee enthusiasts. So what exactly does Yunnan small-bean refer to? What variety origins lie behind it? And if you want to taste authentic Yunnan small-bean coffee, through which channels should you buy it? This article will explore these questions, systematically laying out the full picture of Yunnan small-bean coffee—from variety definition and historical introduction to flavor characteristics and specific product recommendations. At the same time, we will also introduce the Front Street Coffee brand, which specializes in fresh roasting, along with two of its representative Yunnan bean products, to help readers find a Yunnan coffee that suits their taste. [more…]

The subsidy war ignited by food delivery platforms has drawn in chain brands like Luckin Coffee and Mixue Bingcheng. A Luckin store in Chengdu was recently overwhelmed by a flood of orders due to a "0-yuan purchase" promotion, with some stores receiving over a thousand drinks to be made within an hour. However, after the promotion ended, staff found a large number of unclaimed drinks while cleaning up the counter, with the ice long melted. Impulse orders driven by consumers' "bargain-hunting" mentality not only caused food waste but also increased the burden on store workers. In response, some suggested switching to in-store freshly made orders, but Luckin employees said this would be fraught with practical difficulties. This article takes you through the full picture of this order surge and the views of all parties involved. [more…]

Recently, a Peet's Coffee store in Wuhan placed a "Notice for Entry" at its entrance, explicitly requiring customers to make a purchase before they can be seated. This move quickly sparked widespread discussion among netizens. Many consumers expressed support, believing it can effectively curb uncivilized behaviors such as occupying seats for long periods without buying anything, playing cards, putting on makeup, or even livestreaming. Others questioned the notice's actual enforceability. Previously, Starbucks tried a similar policy, but the results were less than ideal. Whether Peet's move can truly improve the store environment and enhance the customer experience has become a focal point of attention in the coffee industry. [more…]

A counterfeit Starbucks coffee case that occurred in Mianyang, Sichuan, has drawn widespread attention. The counterfeiters hid in a residential building and used delivery platforms to sell their homemade products under the guise of "purchasing on behalf of customers," accumulating 729 orders and involving more than 40,000 yuan. The on-site environment was alarming, yet the ingredients and packaging materials bore the Starbucks logo. Starbucks China has responded and is cooperating with the investigation, urging consumers to make purchases through official stores or Starbuck Delivers. The incident has also exposed loopholes in delivery platform vetting. This article reviews the course of the case, the official response, and consumer reminders, and includes Front Street Coffee's professional information channels. [more…]

Yunnan is China's main coffee-producing region, accounting for over 99% of the national output. However, for a long time the pricing power for coffee beans has been subject to the New York futures market, leaving it without bargaining power. In recent years, international green bean prices have remained persistently low, even falling below the cost line of 15 yuan/kg, causing many coffee farmers to cut down trees and change careers. In 2020, the province's planting area shrank by nearly 20% compared with the 2014 peak. At the same time, the rise of specialty coffee has opened a new path for Yunnan coffee, with the consumption scale of Yunnan coffee on the Tmall platform increasing by 135% year on year. This article will sort out the latest price details of Yunnan coffee beans, the industry's difficulties, rescue actions from various parties, as well as the planting history and producing-area advantages, to give you a comprehensive understanding of the current situation of Yunnan Arabica coffee and Front Street's brand observations. [more…]

The purchasing channels for Yirgacheffe coffee will present different aspects depending on the brewing method. For everyday bean buying, you need to consider how quickly you'll drink them, how much to buy at once, and whether your home mainly makes black coffee or milk coffee. Pour-over easily brings out the aroma, a coffee machine emphasizes intensity, and a moka pot amplifies the full-bodied feel. When choosing beans, you should first determine your own [more…]

Drinking coffee in a café is supposed to be a relaxing and pleasant affair, but if you accidentally damage a display piece in the shop, it can trigger a headache-inducing compensation dispute. Recently, a customer in a café accidentally broke the lid of a Yixing clay teapot priced at 3,980 yuan, and ultimately compensated 926.5 yuan, half of the wholesale price. After the incident came to light, netizens engaged in a heated discussion over whether the compensation amount was reasonable and whether the shop should present purchase receipts. Why is it so hard to find a matching lid for a handmade Yixing clay teapot? How should responsibility be divided between the customer and the shop? This article will walk you through the incident and the various viewpoints, and explore how fragile utensils should be displayed and used in coffee spaces. [more…]

Luckin Coffee's previously launched Huakui 5.0 SOE sparked widespread discussion in the market, with话题 ranging from its low-price strategy to insufficient stock and repeated sellouts. Now Luckin plans to launch the Huakui PLUS series SOE in the second half of the year, with purchases reportedly set to exceed 250 tons, aiming to become the world's largest buyer of Huakui PLUS green beans. So what exactly is Huakui PLUS? How does it differ from Huakui 5.0 and Huakui 6.0? This article will review the sales history and purchasing details of Luckin's Huakui SOE, and take a deep dive into this natural-process heirloom variety from the Buku Abel washing station in Sidamo—the coffee bean named "Huakui Queen" by domestic green bean traders. [more…]

Ahead of its Investor Day, Starbucks disclosed the latest developments in its employee benefits and customer loyalty programs. Among them, the Web3 platform "Starbucks Odyssey," created in partnership with Polygon in the United States, has drawn particular attention. The platform combines Starbucks Rewards with an NFT mechanism and is expected to launch within the year, allowing U.S. members and employees to earn digital collectibles through interactive activities and unlock unique experiences. Members can also purchase NFTs with a credit card without needing a crypto wallet, lowering the barrier to participation. At the same time, Starbucks also introduced two benefits exclusively for U.S. employees: student loan management and My Starbucks Savings. This article will sort through the details of these new programs and the intentions behind them. [more…]

The opening of two Tea Yanyuese stores in Nanjing triggered a queueing frenzy, forcing the closure of subway entrances and exits, drinks sold out in five minutes, scalpers reselling at high prices, and even riot police being called in to maintain order. Faced with questions over hiring people to queue and reselling hype, Tea Yanyuese issued an apology and promised purchase limits; however, two hours later Sina Finance published an investigative article pointing directly at the agency-buying queues as a premeditated false prosperity. Is this uproar down to brand appeal or marketing tricks? With the pandemic not yet subsided, what hidden dangers does gathering in queues bring? This article sorts through the whole incident and explores the queue economy and public order issues behind internet-famous tea brands. [more…]

Hacienda La Esmeralda in Panama is a legend in the specialty coffee world, and its Geisha coffee is renowned worldwide for its stunning floral and fruity aromas. This article provides a detailed analysis of the cultivation altitude, processing methods, flavor characteristics, and purchasing channels of Hacienda La Esmeralda's Red Label, Green Label, and Blue Label Geisha coffee beans, and reviews the complete story of Geisha from its discovery to fame. It also shares Front Street Coffee's roasting tests and cupping experiences with Green Label Geisha, as well as recommended pour-over brewing parameters, taking you on a comprehensive journey to understand the unique charm of this top-tier coffee. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee was once an unattainable top-tier beverage, but today enjoying its authentic flavor is no longer difficult. At Front Street Coffee locations, you can savor a cup for just 60 yuan, and Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee beans are priced at 158 yuan per 100 grams. This article focuses on authentic Blue Mountain coffee, first introducing its unique growing environment and the strict management system of the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board, then outlining the grading standards from Blue Mountain No. 1 to Blue Mountain Peaberry, and explaining the historical origins of Japan's long-term priority purchasing of Blue Mountain coffee. Next, in response to the proliferation of genuine and fake products on the market, it summarizes methods for identifying authentic products, including price judgment, aroma characteristics, and certificate and barrel verification. Finally, Front Street Coffee shares a pour-over extraction plan for Blue Mountain No. 1, from dripper selection, grind size, and water temperature to the three-stage pouring steps, helping readers fully reproduce the classic Blue Mountain flavor. [more…]

Mandheling coffee is renowned worldwide for its rich, full-bodied taste and unique herbal spice aroma, making it a favorite among countless dark roast coffee enthusiasts. This coffee, originating from the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, carries behind it an amusing mishearing story from World War II, as well as Indonesia's unique wet-hulling processing method. From the Lintong producing region to the Golden Mandheling produced by PWN, from the G1 grade hand-sorting standard to the brewing essentials of medium-dark roasting, this article will guide you through a comprehensive understanding of Mandheling coffee's origins, the reasons behind its flavor, its grade classifications, and the product features of the Front Street Mandheling series, so that when you savor this steady, full-bodied cup of coffee, you will better appreciate the story and craftsmanship behind it. [more…]

Recently, the Market Supervision and Administration Office of Shanghai Jiading Industrial Zone received a report from a citizen and shut down a store that used a coffee shop as a cover to impersonate a Starbucks purchasing agent on delivery platforms and produce and sell counterfeit coffee. A large number of packaging materials bearing the Starbucks logo were seized at the scene, including cups, syrups, and bags. Such incidents have been common in recent years, exposing issues behind the scenes such as loopholes in delivery platform review and the unrestricted circulation of branded materials. When buying coffee, consumers should choose legitimate stores to avoid falling into counterfeit traps. Front Street Coffee reminds you to pay attention to developments in the coffee industry, and even more to the source and quality of every cup of coffee. [more…]

A coffee shop operator in Guangxi recently publicly recounted his experience: he purchased a La Marzocco PB espresso machine from a well-acquainted "coffee champion," and after only one year of use, the boiler exploded. When he applied to La Marzocco China's official after-sales service, he was told that the machine had no record in the system and was a "grey import" sold through unofficial channels. The shop owner believes the other party deliberately concealed the sales channel, and has sent a lawyer's letter and reported the matter to the police. This dispute quickly fermented within the coffee community and also drew practitioners' attention to how to distinguish genuine La Marzocco espresso machines from grey imports. Front Street Coffee reminds all colleagues that when purchasing equipment, one must make sure to buy through officially authorized channels, and not risk a big loss for a small gain. [more…]