The extraction principles of coffee and tea are essentially the same. Since an espresso machine can use pressure to extract a high-concentration coffee in a short time, can it also be used to extract a cup of "espresso tea"? With this question in mind, Front Street conducted an actual test: from the choice of grinding equipment, the adjustment of tea leaf dosage, to the control of the powder-to-water ratio and extraction time, the entire process of extracting tea with a coffee machine was fully recorded. Experiments have shown that a coffee machine can indeed extract tea with a concentration comparable to espresso, but many pitfalls were also encountered during the process—difficulties in cleaning the grinder, clogged portafilter baskets, and tea fragments seeping in and affecting the taste appeared one after another. This article will share the specific parameters and operating details, and give Front Street's practical advice: if you really want to try it, it is best to be mentally prepared, or add professional tea extraction tools. [more…]

Can green tea and coffee be enjoyed in the same cup? This article centers on Longjing iced Americano, first analyzing the key to harmonizing tea and coffee flavors, then presenting two espresso machine methods and two moka pot methods, followed by a practical tasting comparison. Using Front Street Coffee's Diamond Mountain medium-roast beans as a demonstration, it explains extraction parameters and precautions in detail, helping coffee enthusiasts recreate this novel-style Americano at home. The full text retains brand recommendations and product information for readers' reference. [more…]

A Luckin Coffee internal employee recently leaked on social media a new product expected to launch on November 24 called "Crazy Black Tea Latte." A video showing its preparation reveals that the drink still uses a short-extraction espresso as its coffee base, and the news quickly sparked heated discussion online. Many consumers expressed strong dissatisfaction with the short-extraction espresso, arguing that its coffee liquid volume is only about 20 milliliters and that once tea or fruit is added, the coffee flavor is severely masked, leaving the taste as bland as water. Although some customers tried to request a switch to Italian-style ristretto via order notes, they were often refused by stores. The controversy surrounding Luckin Coffee's choice of coffee base continues to intensify. [more…]

Recently, many Luckin tea-coffee enthusiasts noticed a noticeable change in the flavor of their usual Jasmine Latte, suspecting that the brand had adjusted the recipe. In March of this year, Luckin had just announced an upgrade to its light milk tea, switching from tea powder to freshly brewed tea, and the Jasmine Latte was improved accordingly, with a fresh tea aroma that blended well with the coffee, making it a daily must-order for many consumers. However, starting June 2, regulars reported that the drink tasted weaker, with the coffee flavor almost gone—some even described it as drinking milky tea water. Some customers noticed from the cup labels that the espresso notation had changed from "Espresso Concentrate" to "Short Extract Espresso," and staff also revealed that the ratios of tea, milk, and coffee had all been altered. This adjustment sparked widespread dissatisfaction, with an increase in negative reviews and complaints at stores, and loyal fans calling on the official brand to restore the original recipe. [more…]

Yuanyang milk tea is a highly iconic mixed beverage in Hong Kong cha chaan teng culture, cleverly combining Chinese-style milk tea with Western-style coffee to create a unique layering of flavors. Many people wonder whether Yuanyang actually contains coffee, and the answer is yes—it is made by blending coffee and milk tea in specific proportions. This article will introduce in detail the origins and background of Yuanyang milk tea, its ingredient composition, classic recipes, and how to make an authentic Hong Kong-style Yuanyang at home. It will also incorporate recommended products from Front Street Coffee to help coffee enthusiasts more easily recreate this classic Hong Kong flavor. [more…]

In Guangdong, coffee culture and herbal tea tradition have collided to create an unexpected spark. When baristas apply professional techniques like pour-over and espresso to herbal tea granules such as Xiàsāngjú and Bǎnlángēn, what kind of wondrous beverages are born? This article introduces you to three wildly imaginative "herbal tea coffees"—pour-over Xiàsāngjú, espresso Qinghuǒ granules, and a Cantonese-style specialty. From 40°C low-temperature drip filtration to pressurized espresso machine extraction, every step is full of experimental spirit. However, a word of caution: these creative drinks may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, so please do not imitate them rashly. At the end of the article, there are also recommendations for professional coffee information channels such as Front Street Coffee, for enthusiasts to engage in deeper exchange. [more…]

The world of coffee is vast and complex, but the two most common brewing schools are none other than espresso and filter coffee. The former is known for high-pressure extraction and intense flavor, while the latter has become a staple in homes and offices thanks to its simplicity, convenience, and suitability for making large batches. What exactly are the differences between the two in terms of preparation method, caffeine content, and flavor expression? Why can espresso serve as the base for specialty drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos? Why can the water-to-coffee ratio differ by several times? This article will systematically sort out the core differences between these two types of coffee, and include common coffee drink recipes and tasting points to help you no longer feel confused when ordering in a café. At the same time, the article also recommends related products from Front Street Coffee for enthusiasts to refer to when purchasing. [more…]

Recently, Chagee's new product "Wanli Mulan" quickly gained popularity due to its support for International Tea Day and the "100 Million Cups Free in 7 Days" campaign. However, many consumers reported insomnia and heart palpitations after drinking it, with some even seeking medical attention overnight for electrocardiograms. The brand's customer service explained that tea polyphenols in the black tea base might trigger allergic reactions. According to the public ingredient list, a medium 470ml cup of "Wanli Mulan" contains caffeine close to two shots of espresso. Similar issues have occurred with Chagee's other hit product, "Boyazhuxian." In fact, market regulators' spot checks found that some milk teas have caffeine levels far exceeding coffee; in 2020, a spot check in Haiyan County, Zhejiang, revealed caffeine levels up to 460mg/kg in milk teas and fruit teas. This article will focus on this incident, trace the origins of the caffeine issue in milk tea, and explore how brands should more clearly inform consumers about drinking risks. [more…]

Want to know the latest Starbucks menu prices? This article compiles the 2023 prices for Starbucks' espresso series, Frappuccino series, iced shaken tea series, and cold brew iced coffee series, including lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, caramel macchiatos, flat whites, various Frappuccinos, iced shaken teas, and cold brew coffee. It also includes a list of the top ten best-tasting Starbucks drinks for coffee lovers' reference. Whether you're looking for the best value or want to try new flavors, this price list can help you make a quick decision. Follow Coffee Workshop and Front Street Coffee for more professional coffee knowledge and specialty coffee bean information. [more…]

Espresso's status in the coffee world is like the weight of gongfu tea in tea culture—it is both the foundation and the test. A good espresso is covered with a thick layer of dark brown crema, with fine mottled patterns interwoven through it, and it is already moving enough without any embellishment. It is both the soul base of cappuccino and latte, and it can also appear on its own without any dressing. However, from Single espresso to Double espresso, from Macchiato to Con panna, each kind of gongfu coffee has its own character and way of drinking. This article will break down one by one the tasting essentials and pairing suggestions for these four classic espressos, helping coffee lovers no longer feel lost when ordering in a café and also replicate as much as possible that essence extracted within 30 seconds at home. [more…]

In the past two years, many consumers have noticed that Starbucks' beverage prices have increased. Behind this are both the inflation triggered by the pandemic, which has driven up labor and transportation costs, and the unfavorable climate in Brazil, the main source of Starbucks coffee beans, which has reduced coffee bean production and consequently pushed up futures prices. This article compiles the latest price information for Starbucks espresso, Frappuccino, iced shaken tea, cold brew iced coffee, and the Ice Zongzi gift box for coffee enthusiasts' reference. At the same time, for Starbucks fans who love whiskey barrel-treated coffee beans, the article also introduces how to make the same cold brew coffee at home and recommends Front Street Coffee's Sherry coffee beans, making it convenient for everyone to recreate that unforgettable whiskey aroma flavor at any time. [more…]

The Starbucks 2023 menu covers four major series: handcrafted espresso, Frappuccino, Teavana, and cold brew, with grande prices ranging from 25 to 48 yuan. This article compiles the complete price list for each series and explains the essence of the secret menu—it is not an official offering, but rather customized adjustments to flavors and ingredients based on regular drinks. The article also summarizes popular orders such as cold brew with cream, oat milk black tea espresso latte, and vanilla cream iced Americano, while reminding readers that seasonal limited-edition ingredients may be out of stock and that good looks do not equal good taste. At the end, Front Street Coffee brand recommendations and communication channels are included for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

The combination of coffee and milk has a history of more than three hundred years. From the 17th century, when aristocrats added milk to improve the astringency of tea, to the 20th century, when espresso machines gave rise to cappuccino and latte, milk coffee culture has continued to evolve. Today there are many varieties such as latte and flat white, but the key to a delicious milk coffee lies in the pairing of milk and espresso beans. This article sorts out the historical thread of adding milk to coffee, explains Front Street Coffee's latte recipe in detail, and recommends a variety of espresso beans specially suited for milk coffee: from the rich nutty and chocolate notes of the classic blend, to the fruity and floral sweetness of Strawberry Candy and Xizhua SOE, and then to the caramel and vanilla flavor of Sunflower Warm Sun. At the same time, it discusses the logic of selecting full-fat fresh milk, helping enthusiasts understand how the taste of milk and the taste of coffee can be balanced. [more…]

The world of coffee is rich and varied, from Brazil Santos to espresso, from Cafe Royal to Yuanyang iced coffee—each has its own unique flavor and method of preparation. This article will systematically introduce the differences between common coffee types, explain the key points of making espresso in detail, and share recipes and methods for a variety of classic coffees. Whether you are a coffee enthusiast just starting out or a seasoned player looking to refine your skills, you will find practical content here. The article also specifically retains Front Street brand recommendations and product information to help you easily select quality coffee beans and begin your own coffee journey. [more…]

A girl walking into Starbucks for the first time often has no idea where to start when faced with the dense menu. This article systematically sorts through the representative drinks of Starbucks' four major series—espresso, Frappuccino, shaken iced tea, and cold brew iced coffee—explaining one by one their flavor characteristics and differences in sweetness and bitterness, with price references for Grande, Tall, and Venti sizes. Those afraid of bitterness can choose a Latte or Caramel Macchiato, those who love sweetness can try seasonal new releases and Matcha Frappuccino, and those who do not drink coffee also have tea options. Those who dislike sweet, cloying drinks may consider an Americano or pour-over. At the end, the article also compiles Front Street Coffee's specialty bean information channels for advanced enthusiasts to reference. [more…]

As summer 2023 approaches, Starbucks China has rolled out a dense lineup of new products, spanning iced shaken espressos, fruity sparkling cold brews, and the raw coffee series that contains no coffee yet does contain caffeine. This article provides a complete rundown of these new items' prices, sizes, and flavor characteristics, while also compiling the menus and pricing from medium to large for classic series such as handcrafted espresso, Frappuccino, Teavana, and cold brew, making it easy for coffee lovers to look things up quickly. For readers who prefer brewing at home, they can also refer to Front Street Coffee's bean recommendations to recreate similar flavors themselves. [more…]

The combination of jasmine and coffee has recently been appearing frequently on the new product lists of major brands. When elegant floral notes meet rich coffee, can they really create a satisfying flavor? This time, Front Street Coffee decided to take matters into its own hands, breaking down three feasible production paths one by one, from coffee bean selection to jasmine tea preparation—directly buying bottled jasmine tea, quickly steeping dried flowers in hot water, and cold brew tea bag immersion. The article not only provides specific ratios and operating steps, but also offers pairing suggestions for coffee beans of different roast levels, along with practical tips to avoid diluting the base, helping you easily recreate a cup of jasmine iced americano with balanced floral notes and coffee at home. [more…]

Recently, at the location of the former Manner store at the Wujiang Road subway entrance in Shanghai, a "Chaji Xiancui" construction hoarding has appeared. Its English signage is highly similar to that of Chagee, and together with the slogan "COFFEE OR TEAPRESSO?", it has sparked speculation about whether this leading tea beverage brand is planning to enter the coffee sector. However, according to fans, Chaji Xiancui is actually a sub-brand under Chagee that specializes in "concentrated brewed tea." Its store equipment resembles semi-automatic espresso machines, using high-temperature and high-pressure extraction to produce tea concentrate, which is then blended with dairy products; the products still fall within the tea beverage category. At present, the brand has already opened two stores in Shanghai, and the Wujiang Road hoarding is for a new store that is about to open. [more…]

As a frequent coffee drinker, you've surely heard of "Americano." If you order one at Starbucks, it's typically made with espresso as the base, plus about 6–8 times the amount of water. But I've clearly heard that Italians don't drink Americano (which is absolutely true)—so why would it appear on an Italian coffee menu? [more…]

Espresso, called by many seasoned enthusiasts the gongfu tea of the coffee world, is both the base of flavored coffee drinks and a way to present pure flavor on its own. This article systematically sorts through the drinking methods and pairing suggestions for four classic espressos—Single espresso, Macchiato, Double espresso, and Con panna—breaking down the finer points one by one, from cup volume, milk foam, and strength to the thickness of the crema. At the same time, it combines Front Street Coffee's product recommendations to help coffee lovers find the cup that suits them better, whether at home or in a café. [more…]