Monday, September 21 2026

The iced Americano loved by celebrities: a complete guide to its benefits, brewing method, and creative variations

Iced Americano, with its health attributes of zero calories, zero sugar, and zero fat, has become a favorite of many celebrities. It not only refreshes and cuts through greasiness, sharpens the mind, but also has a fat-burning effect. But can iced Americano really help with weight loss? How do you make an authentic iced Americano at home? In this article, Front Street Coffee will guide you through the key points of making iced Americano, from coffee bean selection to extraction ratios, and share creative recipes such as sparkling iced Americano, waterfall iced Americano, and lava iced Americano, so you can easily master all the secrets of this refreshing drink. [more…]

Chagee's DIY Cup Sticker Printing Feature Suddenly Shut Down, Celebrity Photo Uploads May Involve Portrait Rights and Copyright Infringement

Chagee once launched a free custom cup sticker printing campaign, allowing users to upload images to create milk tea cup stickers. However, many fans used third-party tools to bypass the review process and printed photos of celebrities such as Zhang Linghe as cup stickers, sparking widespread discussion online. Recently, the official function for printing cup stickers was suddenly shut down, with the page displaying "Custom Fu Stickers Are Being Upgraded," catching many fans who had not yet printed their exclusive cup stickers off guard. Lawyers pointed out that unauthorized reproduction of photographic works carries infringement risks, and if used for dissemination, exchange, or sale, it clearly infringes on celebrities' portrait rights and photographers' copyrights. The brand may also bear joint liability for failing to establish an effective review mechanism. This article sorts out the entire incident and analyzes the legal issues and responsibilities of all parties involved. [more…]

How to balance appearance and taste? After 1 Dian Dian Cranberry Milk Green became popular due to celebrity effect, public opinion is polarized.

A pink cranberry milk green tea has once again made 1 Dian Dian a hot topic on social media. Thanks to its striking resemblance to a drink featured in a certain female celebrity's advertisement, this beverage was quickly tagged as a "celebrity favorite," attracting a large number of fans to place orders and check in. However, once the photo-taking frenzy subsided, the actual taste experience left many people openly disappointed, with reviews ranging from overly sweet and cloying to medicinal notes and a gritty jam texture. At the same time, 1 Dian Dian's loyal customers welcomed the return of this drink, believing its sweet-and-sour flavor profile has a unique charm of its own. Why would a single cup of milk tea trigger such dramatically different reactions among different consumer groups? This article will analyze the question from the perspectives of product formulation, consumer feedback, and the brand's fan base. [more…]

Korean PH Coffee Exposed as Sold Only Domestically, Origin a Mystery Behind the Celebrity Endorsement Halo

Recently, an instant black coffee called POSITIVE HOTEL has quickly gone viral thanks to celebrities holding it on camera and it flooding social media, and fans call it "PH Coffee." Officially, it is promoted as a Korean weight management brand that is all the rage in the Korean entertainment circle. However, some media investigations have found that this coffee, which advertises itself as Korean, has never been launched in South Korea itself; it is actually operated by a China-Korea joint venture, and its production site is also in China. The path to PH Coffee's explosive popularity, its true identity, and why it is classified under the "health food" category have sparked widespread attention. [more…]

Tims' 60th anniversary limited edition ceramic mug gets criticized: recreates the paper cup seam design, silicone lid is hard to use and quality control is called poor

Tims, a Canadian coffee chain brand that has been in the Chinese market for five years, recently celebrated its 60th birthday. To mark the occasion, Tims launched a six-week promotion offering 9.9 yuan deals every week, along with a campaign where purchasing designated set meals would earn a limited-edition 60th-anniversary themed ceramic cup. Three simply designed cups attracted many fans to place orders in support. However, after receiving the actual products, some consumers discovered issues such as vertical protrusions on the cup body and silicone lids that were too tight to fit. Complaints flooded social media platforms. The official explanation stated that the protrusions were a deliberate design mimicking the seams of paper cups, but this clever idea did not gain widespread approval. Brand CEO Lu Yongchen once said the company would accelerate upgrades centered on user needs. Judging from the feedback on this anniversary gift, Tims still has room for improvement in peripheral product quality control and experience. [more…]

Mayday Ashin's fashion brand coffee shop in Guangzhou Tianhuan will close as its lease expires, fans line up to say goodbye

The StayReal Cafe at Guangzhou's Parc Central has recently seen long queues at its entrance, with the store packed and orders streaming in continuously. This is not a promotion for a new store, but a farewell—due to the lease expiring and the brand not renewing it, this trendy coffee shop co-founded by Mayday's Ashin and artist No2Good is about to withdraw from Guangzhou. The StayReal clothing store in the same mall closed the night before, while the coffee shop will remain open until October 27. From the opening of its first South China store in 2016, which invited world-class coffee master Lin Dongyuan to show support and saw hundreds of fans queue overnight, to now closing stores one after another due to lease expirations, StayReal Cafe's situation reflects the dilemma celebrity catering brands face between fan economy and the mass market. Some netizens say that if the Guangzhou Parc Central store ends operations, the brand's coffee shops will have only one left in Shanghai. [more…]

Starbucks Stores Nationwide Overhaul Playlists: Millennium Chinese Pop Hits Replace Jazz and Blues, Sparking Heated Customer Discussion

Starbucks, which has long cultivated a business ambiance with soothing music such as jazz and blues, recently abruptly changed its playlists across stores nationwide, heavily featuring Chinese pop hits from the 2000s, including representative songs by artists such as Jay Chou, David Tao, and Jolin Tsai. This change caught regular customers off guard; some found it refreshingly down-to-earth, while others complained it made it hard to concentrate on work or study. Starbucks staff explained that the move was to celebrate the millennium birth of the Toffee Nut Latte and to build momentum for Christmas activities, and had nothing to do with equity changes. The new playlist is expected to run until the 17th, with interactive karaoke sessions at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. during this period. [more…]

Flavor Story and Tasting Highlights of Starbucks Guatemala Antigua Coffee Beans

Guatemala Antigua coffee has long been celebrated for its elegant and rich layers, where refined acidity, a delicate cocoa-powder texture, and soft spice notes interweave into a stunning balance. This article takes you deep into this coffee beloved by Starbucks buyers: from the terroir of its origin and processing methods to tasting suggestions, we explain why it has become a representative masterpiece of Central American coffee. At the same time, the article also includes a country overview and fun facts, and retains relevant recommendations from the Front Street brand, making it suitable for every coffee lover in pursuit of depth of flavor. [more…]

A Complete Analysis of the Flavor Characteristics and Processing Methods of Ethiopian Sidamo Coffee Beans

Front Street Sidamo coffee has become a favorite among many coffee enthusiasts thanks to its bright and refreshing taste, sweet floral aroma, and rounded fruity flavor. The Sidamo producing region is located in the highlands of the East African Rift Valley, in southern Ethiopia, with abundant annual rainfall, fertile soil, and high altitude. It is one of Ethiopia's three official producing regions and is known for its diversity, high quality, and complex flavors. By cupping several Front Street Sidamo single-origin coffees, one can experience bright acidity, a viscous and smooth mouthfeel, and rich layers of spice, floral, and fruity notes intertwined. Varieties such as Front Street Huakui, Front Street Hamasho, and Front Street ALO Natural all come from this region, which shows just how popular it is. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the origin of the Sidamo region's name, its geographical features, processing methods, and flavor performance, taking you through a comprehensive understanding of the story behind this coffee. [more…]

Ethiopia Guji Natural Coffee Tasting Guide: Hualei 6.0 Pour-Over Flavor and Origin Analysis

Ethiopian natural coffees have long been celebrated for their rich sweetness and vibrant fruity notes, and the Guji region has been particularly striking in the specialty coffee world in recent years. This article will provide a comprehensive analysis of the charm of Front Street natural Guji Huakui coffee, from terroir and processing methods to variety characteristics and roasting curves, along with detailed V60 pour-over parameters and flavor descriptions, guiding you through this bean's layered evolution from tropical fruit to caramel sweetness. Whether you are a beginner just getting into pour-over or a coffee enthusiast seeking an advanced flavor experience, you will find practical brewing references here. [more…]

Why are young people so keen on starting a coffee shop business? What preparations are actually needed to open a coffee shop?

In recent years, from film and television stars to recent college graduates, more and more people have come to see opening a coffee shop as their first choice for entrepreneurship. Coffee shops are not only popular venues for leisure and socializing, but also carry the dream of opening a shop for many people. However, behind the seemingly simple coffee shop lie many aspects, including professional coffee knowledge, shop operations, location and positioning, and fundraising. This article starts from the phenomenon of celebrities opening coffee shops, analyzes why coffee shops are so favored, and sorts out what is truly needed to prepare for opening a coffee shop, helping coffee enthusiasts view this entrepreneurial direction more rationally. [more…]

A Century of Espresso Machine Legend: How Bezzera Established the Historical Status of Italian Coffee Machines

In the world of coffee, espresso is regarded as the soul, and the birth of the espresso machine completely changed the way people enjoy coffee. Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Italian engineer Balázs Bezzera, through repeated experiments, successfully developed a vertical espresso machine and obtained a patent in Milan in 1901. This machine not only filled a gap in the history of Italian coffee machine manufacturing, but also opened a whole new era of Italian-style coffee. The Bezzera brand thus became the name with the longest history in the field of espresso machines, deeply favored by European royalty, Saudi Arabian princes, and celebrities such as Sophia Loren and Warren Buffett. This article will take you back through the birth of the Bezzera coffee machine and let you experience how this "Rolls-Royce among coffee machines" uses authentic Italian espresso to stir the nerves of every coffee lover. [more…]

Cultural Clashes in Starbucks' Global Expansion: From the Forbidden City Controversy to Breakthroughs in India and France

As a symbol of American culture, Starbucks rapidly went global after Howard Schultz took over, opening 17,600 stores in 61 countries. However, when Starbucks entered countries with deep cultural traditions such as China, India, and France, it frequently encountered cultural resistance and controversy. From being forced to withdraw from its Forbidden City store, to the long wait in the Indian market, to the French people's steadfast defense of traditional cafés, Starbucks, while exporting American coffee culture, has also had to face the stubborn resistance of local cultures. This article will walk you through Starbucks' path of cultural conflict and integration around the world, and explore the balance between business expansion and cultural respect. [more…]

A Complete Analysis of Blue Mountain Coffee's Acidity and Blending: From Grade Classification to Front Street No. 1's Brewing and Milk-Adding Guide

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee has long been celebrated for its balanced, mellow character, full body, and sweet finish, yet many enthusiasts still have questions about its acidity and how best to drink it. Starting from Blue Mountain's historical origins, the definition of its growing region, and the CIB grading standards, this article explains in detail the specifications, processing flow, and roasting key points of authentic Blue Mountain No. 1, and also brings you the pour-over parameters and extraction techniques for Front Street Coffee's Clifton Estate Blue Mountain No. 1. At the same time, it answers a common question: is Blue Mountain black coffee suitable for adding sugar and milk? Whether you are pursuing an original-taste tasting experience or prefer the mellow mouthfeel of milk-blended coffee, this content can provide clear reference and practical suggestions. [more…]

Colombia Huila Pour-Over Techniques Explained: A Complete Guide from Terroir to Three-Stage Extraction

Colombia, as the world's second-largest coffee producer, is known for the specialty coffee from its southern Huila Province, celebrated for its caramel sweetness and delicate berry acidity. Front Street Coffee selects washed Caturra from Huila Province and uses a medium-dark roast to bring out nutty and dark chocolate notes. This article will begin with the history of coffee cultivation in Colombia and the characteristics of its producing regions, then explain in detail the roast profile of this bean, and teach you step by step how to brew the best flavor using the three-pour method. Whether you are a beginner just getting into pour-over or an enthusiast looking to refine your technique, you will find practical parameters and key operating points here. [more…]

A permanent cafe themed around the classic American sitcom "Friends" is set to open, with its first location in Boston.

Having accompanied viewers through ten seasons, *Friends* not only left behind countless classic lines and scenes but also made "Central Perk" a holy site in the hearts of fans. Now, this fictional coffee shop is about to become reality—the first permanent Central Perk location in the United States is planned to open by the end of this year at 205 Newbury Street in Boston. From the replica orange sofa and matching mugs to coffee beans named after characters' lines, and even a specialty coffee subscription model, this shop sells nostalgia while also taking coffee seriously. This article will walk you through the considerations behind the store's location, the details of the scene recreation, and those cleverly named coffee products. [more…]

Characteristics of African Coffee | Beyond Pour-Over, Can Classic Yirgacheffe Be Used for Cold Brew/Ice Drip/SOE Espresso? Beginner-Friendly Single-Origin Bean Recommendations with Floral and Citrus Flavors

Traditionally, no matter the country or region, coffee has almost always been dark roasted, so it often leaves a "deeply etched" impression. But as the concept of "specialty coffee" emerged around the turn of the millennium, Yirgacheffe also appeared at this time. Not only does it lack that unbearable bitterness, it even has a remarkable white [more…]

How Coffee Traveled from Ethiopia to the World: A Thousand-Year History of Global Spread

Coffee, the beverage that has taken the world by storm, was first born on the highlands of Africa. From its origins as a medicinal plant in Ethiopia, to its rise as an everyday drink on the Arabian Peninsula, and then to its status as a courtly treasure of the Ottoman Empire, coffee traveled westward along trade routes and conquests, eventually taking root in Europe and giving rise to a unique café culture. This article will trace the complete journey of coffee from its discovery to its global reach, covering key milestones in Yemen, Turkey, Venice, Paris, Vienna, London, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States, while also preserving Front Street Coffee's recommendations and insights on coffee culture. [more…]

A Century of Legend: The Invention Journey and Brand Charm of the Bezzera Espresso Machine

In the world of coffee, there is a machine hailed as the Rolls-Royce of espresso machines: Bezzera. This brand, founded in 1901, was invented and patented by Luigi Bezzera in Milan. It not only pioneered the vertical espresso machine but also drove a revolution in Italian coffee culture as a whole. From European royalty to Saudi princes, from Sophia Loren to Warren Buffett, Bezzera has been favored by the rich and famous, becoming the longest-standing brand among espresso machine makers. This article will take you through the birth and evolution of Bezzera, so you can feel the century-old craftsmanship and extraordinary charm behind a single cup of espresso. [more…]

Schultz writes to Chinese partners: Bullish on China's market potential, firmly believes it will eventually become Starbucks' largest global market

Starbucks interim CEO Howard Schultz published an open letter to Chinese partners on the official website on the occasion of the New Year, reviewing the resilience and dedication shown by the Chinese team under the impact of the pandemic over the past few years, and expressing firm confidence in the prospects of the Chinese market. In the letter, he revealed that he communicates with the Chinese leadership team every week and keeps in touch with Belinda Wong every day, and pointed out that as China enters the post-pandemic stage, the release of consumer demand will drive business recovery. Although the road ahead is not linear, he believes China will eventually become Starbucks' largest market. The following is the full text of the speech and its translation. [more…]