The innovations in the new-style tea beverage industry lately seem to be getting more and more baffling. From goji berry milk tea that lets you enjoy both health and happiness, to completely unrelated concoctions like snail rice noodle milk tea and Chongqing hot pot milk tea, to even more off-putting ones like roast duck milk tea, Lao Gan Ma milk tea, fish mint and cilantro lemon tea, and even raw-marinated hairy crab milk tea... These drinks not only feature bizarre ingredients, but some also let you choose the broth base, toppings, and spice level, as if a whole dish has been packed into a cup. Faced with these wildly imaginative combinations, we can't help but ask: Is the bottom line for beverage innovation really just that you'll survive after drinking it? Isn't it nice to just enjoy a normal milk tea with toppings? [more…]

As the soul ingredient of milk tea, the freshness of tapioca pearls is directly related to consumer health. Recently, a Yidian Dian store at Zhoushan Ruxin Plaza was fined 15,000 yuan by regulatory authorities for using expired tapioca pearls to make and sell Bubble Milk Tea and other drinks. An investigation showed that the store involved not only used ingredients beyond their shelf life, but also failed to establish purchase inspection records as required. This is not the first time Yidian Dian has been involved in a food safety controversy; previously, a Fuzhou store was reported to have had a bug found in its milk tea. As the peak season for summer beverage consumption arrives, food safety issues have once again sounded the alarm. [more…]

Recently, some consumers have reported that when ordering at Guming stores, the signature product "Uncle Milk Tea" is no longer available for purchase, while the milk tea category on the menu has noticeably shrunk, replaced by a variety of coffee drinks. This change quickly sparked discussions on social media, with many longtime customers saying that milk tea options are becoming fewer and fewer, and that the brand's focus seems to be shifting toward coffee. Although it was verified that "Uncle Milk Tea" has not been removed from sale nationwide, it is indeed the case that some stores have stopped selling it due to a shortage of ingredients. Consumers have become doubtful about Guming's transformation direction of "turning a milk tea shop into a coffee shop," worrying that classic tea drinks are gradually disappearing. This article sorts out the course of the incident and feedback from netizens, explores how chain tea beverage brands can balance the expectations of their original customer base when expanding into the coffee business, and includes related observations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Molly Tea recently launched a pomelo-coconut series, including three new drinks: Pomelo Apple Coconut, Pomelo Jasmine Coconut, and Pomelo White Orchid Coconut. With a combination of refreshing pomelo-mint milk foam and fruit coconut water, they quickly attracted a large number of consumers. However, the most popular Pomelo Apple Coconut showed an abnormal phenomenon after adding the milk foam: the pink color faded, white flocculent substances appeared, and the liquid became cloudy like soy milk, raising customers' doubts about beverage safety and store ingredients. Store employees explained that this was caused by a chemical reaction between the protein in the milk foam and the vitamin C in the apple juice and pomelo juice, and was not due to spoiled ingredients. This article will reconstruct the course of the incident, consumer feedback, and the official response, and include the professional perspective of Front Street Coffee to help you understand the scientific principles behind this color-changing drink. [more…]

In recent years, suppliers in the tea beverage and coffee markets have successively gone public, revealing the profit truths behind the brands. However, as food safety issues and health concerns in the new tea beverage industry keep emerging, more and more young people are abandoning brands like Luckin and Heytea in favor of making their own coffee and milk tea. With the convenience of the internet and a wealth of tutorials, homemade drinks have become a traffic magnet, with bloggers monetizing through product endorsements, which has also made ingredient brands like Fino popular. This article takes an in-depth look at the reasons and impact behind this phenomenon, exploring the shock that homemade drinks are delivering to the traditional tea beverage and coffee markets. [more…]

Black tea gets its rich color and full-bodied taste from full fermentation, but different grades, brewing temperatures, and drinking methods all affect the final flavor. This article systematically sorts out the core knowledge of black tea, from temperature control, spice additions, and timing for hot brewing, to the simmering techniques for Indian milk tea, the cold-brew refrigeration extraction method for iced black tea, and creative drinks such as vodka black tea and hot toddy, along with the standard recipe for Hong Kong-style milk tea, helping coffee and tea lovers fully master the many possibilities of black tea. Whether you prefer it plain or with a rich milky taste, you can find a brewing method that suits you. [more…]

1 Dian Dian recently launched a new product, "Flowing Sand Pu'er," officially claimed to feature Yunnan aged Pu'er milk tea paired with handmade finely mashed red bean paste, attracting a large number of red bean lovers to try it. However, many consumers found upon receiving the drink that the bottom of the cup contained distinctly separate red beans, far from the described flowing sand texture, and buyer reviews were jokingly called "red bean porridge." Staff explained that the red bean paste needs to be manually crushed at least 5 times, but there was no mandatory requirement for it to present a flowing sand consistency, and it is suspected that the mashing step was missed amid a rush. Official customer service has apologized and reported it internally. [more…]

The threshold for appreciating specialty coffee has always been high—from palate training to the investment of time and money, none can be skipped. Yet in recent years, the rise of specialty beverages, especially fruit coffee, is quietly changing this landscape. Adding fruit, sugar, alcohol, and Chinese ingredients—the boundaries of coffee have been broken time and again. Is this the degradation of specialty coffee, or an inevitable path to the mass market? This article analyzes the deep logic behind the combination of coffee and fruit from the perspectives of consumer data, industry trends, and barista competitions, and explores what professional foundation a good creative coffee should possess. Whether you are a purist who sticks to tradition or a creative beverage enthusiast who embraces innovation, this discussion about the boundaries of coffee is worth reading. [more…]

Recently, a news story about people receiving empty packages and plain water instead of milk tea when ordering takeout for memorial purposes has sparked widespread attention. The incident originated from a 21-year-old young man nicknamed "Fat Cat" who jumped into a river to take his own life due to a romantic dispute. Netizens from various places, sympathizing with his plight, spontaneously ordered takeout to be delivered to the Chongqing Yangtze River Bridge as a tribute. However, some of the takeout bags contained only empty packaging boxes and plain water disguised as milk tea, involving well-known chain brands such as Mixue Ice Cream & Tea and ChaBaiDao. Staff at the stores involved, believing remarks that "other stores are all sending empty packages," mishandled the orders, provoking consumer anger. Lawyers pointed out that this act infringes on consumers' right to be informed and constitutes consumer fraud. The brands have apologized and made rectifications one after another, and regulatory authorities have stepped in. Front Street Coffee reminds that under any circumstances, businesses should operate in good faith and respect every order. [more…]

Recently, a conflict between a delivery rider and a staff member at a chain milk tea shop in Shanghai drew widespread attention. Initially, the delivery rider posted a video on social media claiming that a staff member threw milk tea on him after he urged them to hurry with the order, sparking outrage among netizens against the store. However, as surveillance footage from the store was released, the incident took a dramatic turn: the delivery rider, while pressing for the order, took the liberty of rummaging through the counter and made physical contact with the staff, escalating the conflict. The brand said both parties have reached a settlement under police mediation, but the delivery rider later posted an incomplete video and livestreamed, and the brand will reserve the right to pursue legal action. As coffee enthusiasts, we care about the service experience in the beverage industry and also call for a rational view of disputes. Front Street Coffee reminds that communication and respect are the key to resolving conflicts. [more…]

Recently, a classic topping at Mixue Bingcheng—egg pudding—unexpectedly turned into a milky white milk pudding without any notice, surprising and even upsetting many longtime customers. Some complained about a strong milky odor and bland taste, while others speculated that the brand had changed the recipe to cut costs. However, store employees revealed that the new recipe actually uses more refined ingredients, requires the addition of fresh milk, slightly increases costs, and contains fewer additives. Behind this pudding color-change controversy, is it a healthy upgrade or a compromise on consumer taste? This article will walk you through the course of events, what employees say, and the overall direction of Mixue Bingcheng's topping recipe adjustments. [more…]

Xiangpiaopiao rode a cup sleeve printed with Chinese and Japanese bilingual text mocking Japan's nuclear-contaminated water to hit trending searches within just a few days, with livestream sales soaring 400-fold and its stock price hitting the daily limit at market open, earning it the title of "glory of domestic brands" from netizens. But the story soon took a dramatic turn—local supermarkets in Japan denied selling products with the cup sleeve, media questioned it as staged hype, the cup sleeve was taken off shelves on May 8, and the stock price fell back accordingly. Behind this "windfall from heaven" lies a deeper anxiety: powdered milk tea made with non-dairy creamer is struggling amid the rise of freshly made tea drinks and shifting health-conscious consumer attitudes. Competition from brands like Heytea and Mixue Bingcheng has driven Xiangpiaopiao's performance down for three consecutive years, making a shift to ready-to-drink products an inevitable choice. This article walks through the entire timeline of the incident and explores the real impact of this traffic storm on the brand's image. Follow Front Street Coffee and let's savor the ups and downs of the coffee and tea beverage industry together. [more…]

Luckin Coffee recently launched a light milk tea series, and when you stack up the options—hot or iced, sweetness level, cup size, caffeinated or not—it somehow spawns eight completely different recipes. For customers, this is thoughtful personalized choice; for store employees, it's an extreme test of memory. On the first day of the launch, under the pressure of a flood of orders, staff members rushed to copy the recipes onto cheat sheets and stick them on the bar, and even veteran employees couldn't escape a "brain freeze." This article takes you through how Luckin's workers struggle to survive among eight sets of recipes, and the "wild ways" they've come up with to cope. [more…]

As 2023 draws to a close, it's worth looking back and counting just how many cups of coffee and milk tea you drank this year—there's a simple, blunt way to do it: see how many drink packaging bags you've stockpiled at home. Some of these bags are nicely designed, some are sturdy and durable; throwing them away feels wasteful, but keeping them takes up space, and the more they pile up, the more they become a burden. So netizens have come up with creative ideas, transforming packaging bags into storage boxes, tissue covers, commuter bags, and even journals; now that winter has arrived, they've unlocked a new skill—using coffee paper bags to make handlebar covers for electric bikes, which are windproof and save money, and can be upgraded into thermal bags for waterproof warmth. This article compiles these practical DIY ideas and includes related recommendations from Front Street Coffee to help you turn "junk" into little joys in life. [more…]

The high-speed rail milk tea "That Girl" launched by China Railway Guangzhou Group has sparked widespread discussion since its debut, with its 26-yuan price tag, taste, and packaging design all becoming focal points of criticism among netizens. In response to the controversy, the head of Guangzhou EMU Catering Co., Ltd. responded on November 16, stating that the pricing takes into account production costs, transportation, and the special operating environment of high-speed rail, in line with relevant department standards, and promised to continuously optimize product quality based on passenger feedback. Whether this high-speed rail milk tea, which sells 3,000 cups daily and is often out of stock, can turn its reputation around is worth watching. [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…]

After the Start of Summer, the weather gradually heats up, and Luckin Coffee has seized the moment to launch a new watermelon series, with its watermelon latte quickly trending on Weibo. From garlic latte to watermelon latte, the boundaries of coffee specialty drinks are constantly being pushed. This article compiles specific information about Luckin's new watermelon series, netizen reviews, and the backdrop of Luckin surpassing Starbucks in store count and its products increasingly resembling milk tea, while also exploring how the coffee industry is following in Luckin's footsteps toward milk-tea-fication. Coffee enthusiasts who enjoy trying new things may want to take note. [more…]

Recently, a heated discussion about "fully labeled Chagee" has erupted on social media platforms. Customers have posted photos of takeaway cups covered with dozens of labels, which at first glance look like a deluxe toppings combo, but on closer inspection, apart from one label showing the drink name, all the rest read "this store's merch has been given away." Behind this baffling behavior is customers exploiting zero-yuan prompt items on delivery platforms to bulk-add products, causing store label printers to indiscriminately print out a pile of invalid stickers. Staff, facing a sudden "order surge" that turned out to be a false alarm, grumble that this wave of manipulation both wastes supplies and adds to their workload. So what exactly is going on? Let's take a look. [more…]

The autumn breeze brings refreshment, and the fragrance of osmanthus fills the air—it's once again the season best suited for incorporating osmanthus into coffee. This year, Front Street Coffee has brought a richer lineup of osmanthus coffee recipes than in previous years, including the easy-to-make osmanthus Americano and osmanthus latte, as well as the more elaborate yet stunningly layered osmanthus version of the caramel crème brûlée latte. This article will explain one by one the required ingredients, the approach to selecting coffee beans, and the detailed preparation parameters and precautions for the three beverages. It will also address common questions such as whether osmanthus can be placed directly into the coffee machine for extraction and how to prevent osmanthus from turning bitter. Whether you prefer a refreshing, sugar-free Americano or are devoted to a rich, creamy latte, you'll be able to find the cup that suits you to recreate at home. [more…]

As the weather turns cold, hot milk tea tends to get cold during delivery, and many consumers try to reheat it in a microwave, only for accidents to happen frequently. Recently, multiple customers have reported that when heating Jasmine Naibai drinks, the paper cups showed burn marks and even nearly caused a fire. In contrast, heating milk tea from brands such as Bawang Chaji, Mixue Bingcheng, and Nayuki did not cause similar problems, raising questions about the quality of Jasmine Naibai's paper cups. However, onlookers rushed to defend the brand, pointing out that the cup sticker already has a reminder, and that the metallic substances in the cup's gold-stamped pattern reflect microwaves in the microwave, which is the main cause of the accidents. This article reviews the course of the incident and the underlying principles, and reminds readers: heating milk tea in a microwave poses safety hazards, so do not imitate it rashly. [more…]