Coffee has long been woven into the daily lives of modern people, and many are in the habit of reaching for a cup to perk themselves up in their free time. Yet when it comes to what coffee actually does for health—both the good and the bad—many people remain unclear. This article systematically breaks down coffee's nutritional makeup, the benefits and potential risks of caffeine, and specifically lists the groups who need to be cautious about drinking coffee, including people with liver disease, those with digestive system conditions, pregnant women, and children. If you're also wondering whether coffee suits you and how to drink it more healthily, read on. [more…]

Specialty coffee drinks are becoming increasingly common in specialty cafés, and their high prices and rich flavors attract many consumers. Yet many people, after drinking them, can't taste the coffee at all and even call them "sweet water," which raises the question: why are these specialty drinks so expensive? This article starts from the definition of a specialty drink, sorts out its two main types originating from the WBC creative beverage, analyzes the reasons for the high price, discusses whether a specialty drink is worth it, and shares how to choose Front Street Coffee beans and extraction methods based on flavor pairings when recreating it at home. [more…]

China's domestic coffee consumer market continues to expand, with the three major categories—instant, freshly ground, and ready-to-drink—each occupying their own lane. Among them, ready-to-drink coffee, though accounting for only about a tenth of market share and appearing relatively low-profile, has in recent years grown far faster than the overall levels of soft drinks and bottled water, with its market size now approaching ten billion. Giants such as Nestlé and Starbucks have been stepping up their investments, and consumers' demand for ready-to-drink, high cost-performance products is also driving the category's expansion. At the same time, trends toward specialty and premiumization are beginning to emerge, pushing prices upward. Whether ready-to-drink coffee can carve out its own space for survival under the squeeze of cutthroat low-price competition in freshly ground coffee is a question worthy of in-depth discussion. [more…]

Starbucks has recently launched the Iced Energy line of iced energy drinks at its stores nationwide in the United States, with three new products in total, one of which is available in limited supply only on the App, while stores offer two flavors, Tropical Citrus and Melon Burst. This drink is brightly colored, low-calorie and sugar-free, yet contains as much as 205 milligrams of caffeine, far exceeding a Starbucks grande latte, equivalent to 6 cans of cola or 2 cans of Red Bull. In recent years, the U.S. energy drink market has grown rapidly, but Panera Bread's high-caffeine drink previously led to a death and litigation, and Starbucks' entry into the market this time has sparked online discussion about its safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that adolescents and children avoid energy drinks, and Starbucks responded that its store menus already disclose ingredient and nutrition information. [more…]

Is coffee a healthful beverage or a hidden health risk? This question has long puzzled many enthusiasts. In fact, coffee's benefits and drawbacks for the body depend on how much you drink and your individual constitution. Moderate intake can lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and reduce the occurrence of gallstones and fatty liver; but excessive intake may lead to insomnia, stomach irritation, elevated cholesterol, impaired iron absorption, and even osteoporosis. This article will systematically sort out coffee's pros and cons from multiple dimensions—including the head, liver and gallbladder, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, metabolism, and women's health—and offer practical advice such as daily caffeine limits, paper filtering, and the best times to drink, helping you drink with peace of mind and enjoyment. [more…]

Starbucks North America recently transformed its social media sensation Pink Drink from a store-exclusive beverage into a bottled ready-to-drink product, which sold out rapidly after launching in major supermarkets, convenience stores, and online channels. This pink drink, which first gained popularity in 2016 as a secret menu item, went through fan-driven organic promotion, was officially added to the menu in 2017, and then expanded to North American markets including Canada in 2018, yet has never made its way to Starbucks stores in mainland China. The bottled version also launched a tropical-flavored Paradise Drink alongside it. Although it omits the fresh fruit pieces, it comes at a more affordable price, adding another new member to Starbucks' ready-to-drink beverage lineup. Chinese coffee enthusiasts have responded enthusiastically, with many calling on the brand to bring the product to China. [more…]

Recently, there have been many complaints on social media about Starbucks delivery drinks not being filled to the top, involving the Mousse Espresso series, drinks with cream on top, and some hot beverages. Images shared by netizens show that upon delivery, the liquid level is noticeably lower than in-store offerings. A customer used a buy-one-get-one coupon to purchase two Rum Mousse Espresso Lattes, and one of them was not full. Customer service only compensated with a 10-yuan delivery coupon. Starbucks officially explains that the top of the Cloud Macchiato series is made by whipping light cream with milk, while the Mousse Espresso series involves whipping espresso into a mousse texture. For these drinks, the milk foam or coffee foam dissipates over time, and the ordering interface also reminds customers to drink them promptly. Consumers hope the official will pay attention to the consistency between delivery and in-store offerings, or consider not listing such drinks on delivery platforms. Front Street Coffee continues to monitor coffee industry trends and brings you professional insights. [more…]

Recently, a video of a 105-year-old grandmother from Lishui, Zhejiang, who claims to have been drinking coffee for a century, has sparked intense discussion among netizens. Some questioned how a three-year-old child could drink coffee, while others wondered why someone who has drunk coffee her whole life now drinks instant coffee. Setting aside the controversy, this interview actually traces the century-long history of coffee's spread in China—from "black wine" in the Qing Dynasty to the flourishing of coffeehouses during the Republic of China era, and then to modern medicine's cautious recommendations regarding children's caffeine intake. This article sorts out the development of coffee in China and answers questions such as whether children can drink coffee and why the grandmother drinks instant coffee, helping you view the relationship between coffee and health, habits and tradition more rationally. [more…]

As one of the most popular beverages in the world, coffee offers many benefits such as boosting alertness, promoting metabolism, and providing antioxidants, but it also carries potential risks like calcium loss, osteoporosis, and increased cardiovascular strain. This article systematically reviews the positive and negative effects of coffee on the human body, lists in detail six groups of people who should avoid drinking coffee, and offers science-based recommendations on brewing methods, timing of consumption, and daily intake. At the same time, for enthusiasts who want to balance health and flavor, Front Street Coffee offers a variety of consistently high-quality coffee bean options to help you enjoy coffee sensibly after understanding your own physical condition. [more…]

A 500mL bottle of Dongpeng Special Drink contains as much as 66.5 grams of sugar, equivalent to eating about 15 sugar cubes. A third-party testing agency's evaluation of 12 functional drinks on the market shows that Dongpeng Special Drink far outpaces the others in sugar content, even surpassing carbonated beverages known for being high in sugar. In response to this result, Dongpeng said its formula has been approved by the state and recommended drinking only one bottle per day. High sugar intake is closely linked to obesity, chronic diseases, and even accelerated aging, yet the sugar in functional drinks is difficult to completely remove. When late-night overtime workers treat Dongpeng Special Drink as a "life-renewing elixir," do they realize they are being "stabbed in the back" by high sugar? This article will take an in-depth look at this test report and explore the high-sugar dilemma of functional drinks. [more…]

Recently, Andy Lau revealed on a talk show that he drinks over twenty cups of coffee every day, astonishing Wu Jing, Guo Fan, and others—and Guo Fan was even hospitalized once because of excessive coffee consumption. This sparked widespread discussion: Is coffee actually healthy? What are the signs of caffeine addiction? How much is too much per day? Combining the show's content with physiological mechanisms, this article sorts out the potential effects of excessive caffeine intake on the gastrointestinal tract, adrenaline, liver, and other aspects, while retaining the brand information of Front Street Coffee, reminding everyone that although coffee is good, do not blindly imitate celebrities' extreme consumption. [more…]

In recent years, specialty coffee has gradually come to dominate coffee festivals. Many visitors can be seen holding trays carrying several drinks, among which limited-edition sets launched by brands are common. This set-based sales model makes it easier for vendors to prepare ingredients and serve drinks, while also allowing consumers to taste multiple flavors at once—but it has also sparked controversy over bundled sales. From the vendors' perspective, high booth fees push them to focus on specialty drinks with greater profit margins, while specialty drinks have lower equipment requirements, are faster to serve, and look more photogenic, making them easier for visitors to accept. This article explores in depth the reasons behind this phenomenon and the views of various parties, and recommends related products from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Can you drink coffee after contracting COVID-19? This has been the most frequently asked question in our inbox recently. Based on the personal experiences of many coffee lovers, the answer is not absolute—it depends on individual constitution and specific symptoms. When experiencing heart discomfort, fever, severe sore throat, or right after taking medication, you need to be especially cautious or even temporarily stop drinking coffee; whereas with mild to moderate headaches, a moderate amount of coffee may actually help relieve them. If you really want to drink coffee, pour-over is a relatively safe choice since the paper filter makes the coffee cleaner. There's no need to feel it's a waste if you temporarily lose your sense of taste or smell—drink it if you want to, as it might even help promote the recovery of your senses. Freshly roasted beans only have a peak flavor window of 30-40 days, so don't let good beans sit around until they expire. [more…]

Signature coffee drinks emphasize balance among the flavors of various ingredients, rather than letting any single taste dominate. Many people who try to recreate signature drinks at home find the result falls short of expectations, and the problem often lies in the pairing of coffee beans with the other ingredients. This article divides signature coffee drinks into three categories—refreshing, rich fruity coffee, and deep and full-bodied—and explains the suitable coffee bean roast levels and specific recommendations for each, along with practical advice on adjusting ratios, to help you find the best balance between coffee and ingredients. [more…]

On a scorching summer day, iced drinks become the top sellers at beverage shops everywhere, yet the debate over "can you order it without ice" never dies down. A customer ordered an iced drink at Manner, noting that they only wanted two ice cubes, but after receiving it still found the temperature too low and asked the staff to remove the ice, only to be refused. The staff member helplessly explained that iced drinks must be made according to the standard ratio, and that removing ice without authorization would result in a pay deduction if caught on camera. Similar situations have occurred at Starbucks. Why are chain brands so "particular" about the amount of ice? And how should baristas choose between customer needs and company rules? This article will guide you through the industry logic behind the controversy over removing ice from iced drinks. [more…]

Working in a coffee shop—earning money while enjoying unlimited coffee—is one of the reasons many young people choose to become baristas. Luckin Coffee also once attracted numerous enthusiasts to join with its relaxed employee drink benefits: once they met the required working hours, they could enjoy drinks and even freely mix their own concoctions. Recently, however, this benefit has been gradually tightened: employees who do not make drinks according to the recipe receive surveillance warnings, and stores prohibit free mixing in order to control waste, leaving frontline staff grumbling. At the same time, a series of price increases and cost-cutting measures Luckin has implemented since last year's financial report was released have also sparked controversy among both consumers and employees. This article will sort out the ins and outs of the changes to Luckin's employee drink benefits, as well as the backlash against the cost-cutting and efficiency-boosting strategy behind them. [more…]

On a scorching summer day, a cold drink is almost standard for going out. To get more of the drink itself, many people choose light ice or even no ice. However, a chain coffee shop in Seattle, USA, explicitly states on its menu: drinks without ice cost an extra $1. This rule has sparked heated discussion online, with some calling it exploitation and others expressing understanding—after all, no ice means the shop has to add more ingredients. Meanwhile, various bizarre coffee orders keep appearing on foreign social platforms, from Frappuccinos with N types of syrup to a $5 order of just milk, making one wonder: if a $5 cup of milk is acceptable, why is a $1 surcharge for a hot drink hard to accept? This article will guide you through this charging controversy and reacquaint you with the easily overlooked important role of ice in cold drinks. [more…]

Espresso does not appear on the regular menu in many cafés; it is more like a hidden option reserved for connoisseurs, and the same is true at Front Street Coffee. As a result, many friends who are new to coffee find it unfamiliar, unsure what kind of drink it actually is or how to properly taste it. From the perspective of Front Street Coffee, this article discusses what espresso is really about, why it is served with a glass of ice water, what the standard tasting steps are, whether sugar can be added for flavoring, and the demands a good espresso places on coffee beans and extraction technique. If you also want to understand this small yet intense cup of coffee, read on. [more…]

星巴克近日宣布与百事可乐合作，将于3月1日在美洲地区推出三款水果口味能量饮品BAYA Energy。这款每12oz含160毫克咖啡因、90卡路里和90毫克维生素C的低卡高因饮品，标志着星巴克正式跨界能量饮料市场。面对疫情后美国能量饮品年销量从150亿增长至180亿美元的诱人蛋糕，星巴克能否凭借低卡高维素的差异化策略，打破消费者对传统能量饮料品牌的忠诚度？与此同时，星巴克在即饮咖啡领域早已布局多年，从罐装黑咖啡到燕麦奶咖啡不断推新。本文将深入分析星巴克此次跨界背后的市场逻辑与潜在挑战。 [more…]

Starbucks fans who have waited years for the Pink Drink will finally see it arrive in the mainland China market! According to Reuters, this globally popular pink beverage is expected to hit shelves between late May and early June this year, and its sister drink, the "Strawberry Lemonade Starbucks Refresher," will appear alongside it. The Pink Drink is centered on coconut milk and has a rich taste reminiscent of strawberry yogurt; the Strawberry Lemonade Starbucks Refresher uses lemonade as its base and is tart, refreshing, and light. Both products already launched in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan as early as July last year. This article walks you through the Pink Drink's rise to fame and its launch timeline, and rounds up tasting and ordering tips from netizens in various countries, including practical suggestions such as less ice, less coconut milk, and adjusted sugar levels, to help you get the most on-point cup the moment it becomes available. [more…]