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…]

CATL has applied to register the "Ning Coffee" trademark, with classifications covering convenience foods and food and beverage accommodation services; it is currently at the substantive examination waiting stage. Previously, its offline showroom had already launched six drinks, including "Range Latte" and "Supercharge Americano," along with "Shenxing" medium-dark roasted coffee beans, sparking outside speculation that it was entering coffee retail. The company responded that the coffee is only a supporting service, not a main business. This cross-industry move is seen as an attempt to build a presence in the consumer market and create a fan economy. Front Street Coffee notes that the collision between new energy and coffee is becoming a new highlight in the industry. [more…]

Recently, Heytea launched a collaborative partnership with the popular game Genshin Impact, releasing themed products and merchandise, which sparked widespread attention among players and consumers. Previously, Genshin Impact's collaboration with Pizza Hut had caused stores to be packed, and this time Heytea built up hype in advance, with the official announcement of the event on September 5. However, some netizens expressed dissatisfaction with having to buy a whole case of juice tea to get a redemption code, as well as the relatively small number of merchandise rewards, considering the participation conditions to be rather harsh. Although general sales will be opened later, this collaboration still reflects the popularity and controversy of IP tie-ins in the food and beverage industry. This article reviews the course of the event and looks at the trend of cross-industry marketing by coffee and tea beverage brands, while also providing a professional communication channel for coffee enthusiasts. [more…]

Competition in the coffee market is becoming increasingly fierce. The traffic-driving effects of price wars and co-branding campaigns are gradually weakening, and brands are beginning to shift their attention to fan groups willing to spend money on their idols. Recently, Cotti's official announcement of a new spokesperson triggered a surge in store orders, while a group-buy link in Luckin's livestream with a fan nickname prefix once again set public opinion abuzz. Is this a carefully planned business war or fans spontaneously generating momentum? Can celebrity endorsements bring sustained purchasing power to brands, and will they blur consumers' focus on coffee products themselves? This article will guide you through the business logic and hidden concerns behind this traffic marketing. [more…]

At a time when tea beverage brands are competing to invite celebrity endorsements to gain traffic, Chagee originally planned to hold an offline event at Changsha IFS with celebrity Lin Yi in attendance, but it was temporarily called off because the number of people who showed up far exceeded expectations. This turn of events not only forced the brand to issue an emergency apology, but also triggered a chain reaction—a large number of disappointed fans turned to the rival Sexy Tea store also near Changsha IFS, unexpectedly bringing the latter a wave of orders and attention. This article will review the whole incident and analyze the reasons behind and impact of the cancellation of this event. [more…]

Cotti Coffee's official announcement of a new brand ambassador triggered a surge in store orders, and Luckin Coffee's livestream channel promptly featured group-buying links that appeared to be riding the traffic. A coffee business war revolving around celebrity traffic seems to have quietly begun. As the traffic-driving effects of price wars and co-branded merchandise gradually wear off, brands are turning their eyes to fan groups willing to keep paying for their idols. Can this consumption shift from "buying the trinket while returning the pearl" to "spending for love" become a new path for coffee brands to break through? Under the halo of celebrity, will coffee itself be forgotten by consumers? [more…]

Jay Chou's 2024 Carnival concert tour Nanjing stop will be held from September 26 to 29 at Nanjing Olympic Sports Center Stadium, with four consecutive days of performances expected to attract 120,000 spectators. At the same time, a Jay Chou-themed coffee shop called "Love in Coffee" has officially opened at Nanjing Xinjiekou Golden Eagle, making its debut alongside the concert. This coffee shop focuses on estate-grade coffee beans and Michelin three-star desserts, with an interior design infused with the poetic fantasy of "Love in Coffee," where greenery and stone intertwine, and mirrored light and shadow create a dreamy atmosphere. Many product names are taken from Jay Chou's classic songs, allowing fans to taste "lyric" drinks while listening to their idol's music. The first Beijing Sanlitun store had previously attracted a large number of fans to check in, and the operator, Star Plus, has close ties with Jay Chou. This article takes you through the features, prices, and fan experience of this celebrity coffee shop. [more…]

Although Peruvian coffee is not as widely known as Colombian or Brazilian coffee, it has rapidly risen in the international market thanks to its mild, balanced flavor and extremely high cleanliness. This "land of abundance" in western South America is home to the high-altitude growing regions of the Andes Mountains, as well as the world's largest organic coffee output. From a colonial-era ornamental garden plant to the smallholder cooperative model that emerged after land reform, Peruvian coffee has forged a unique path of development. This article will guide you through the growing regions, historical trajectory, grading system, and processing methods of Peruvian coffee, and share a cupping experience of a Cajamarca washed Geisha that Front Street Coffee recently acquired. [more…]

For food safety reasons, China's relevant food laws stipulate a one-year shelf life for coffee products. In fact, if you want to drink a good cup of coffee, Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee) recommends finishing it as soon as possible. Coffee fans who often buy coffee beans at Front Street know that the optimal flavor period of coffee beans [more…]

Although Peruvian coffee is not as renowned as that of Colombia or Brazil, it has risen rapidly in the international specialty market thanks to its complex flavors, mild and balanced taste, and extremely high cleanliness. As the world's number one producer of organic coffee, Peru's coffee industry has gone through a tortuous journey from colonial introduction and the large-estate model to the revival of cooperatives. In this article, Front Street will take you deep into Peru's coffee-growing regions, grading system, and processing methods, with a special focus on the northern specialty region of Cajamarca, analyzing its white floral, prune, citrus, and black tea-like flavor profile through a cupping experience of a washed Geisha. [more…]

ChaPanda's new store at Konkuk University Station in Seoul, South Korea, recently officially opened its doors to customers. This is the brand's second store in the greater Seoul area, following its first store in Gangnam District earlier this year. At the same time, ChaPanda's stock price has performed impressively recently, with cumulative gains of nearly 70% over the past six trading days. From choosing South Korea as its first overseas destination, to launching Korea-exclusive products, to local consumers accounting for more than 80%, ChaPanda is validating its store model in the East Asian market through a differentiated strategy. This article will review ChaPanda's expansion path in South Korea, its product strategy, and the latest developments in the capital market. [more…]

Africa, as the continent where coffee originated, has given rise to coffee-producing regions with distinctly striking styles, among which Ethiopia and Kenya stand out in particular. This article systematically reviews the regional characteristics, variety systems, and processing methods of Africa's major coffee-producing countries—Ethiopia, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania—and introduces one by one the representative beans from each country currently sold by Front Street Coffee, covering popular lots such as Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, Gesha Village, and Kenya Little Tomato. Whether you prefer bright fruity acidity or rich fermented aromas, you can find your ideal choice on this African coffee map. [more…]

Guatemala is known as the "Jewel of the Central American Crown," and its name comes from the Mayan language, meaning "Land of Forests." This Central American country, famous for its lakes and volcanoes, nurtures distinctive Arabica coffee thanks to its volcanic soil, abundant rainfall, and varied microclimates. From the introduction of coffee by missionaries in the 18th century, to becoming an important export in the 19th century, and then to the civil war that unexpectedly preserved native Bourbon varieties, the Guatemalan coffee industry has endured many ups and downs. Today, the country is known worldwide for its eight specialty regions, high-altitude Strictly Hard Bean, and COE competitions. This article will guide you through the historical development, regional divisions, cultivation and processing methods, grading system, and flavor characteristics of Guatemalan coffee, along with recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

In the coffee map of South America, Peru has long been rather low-key, far less well-known than its neighbors such as Brazil and Colombia. Yet this country, bisected by the Andes Mountains, with its high altitudes, volcanic soil, and abundant rainfall, produces specialty coffee of exceptionally high cleanliness and rich flavor complexity. In recent years, it has also risen to the international stage with the world's largest organic coffee output. In this article, Front Street Coffee will guide you through a systematic understanding of Peru's three major coffee-producing regions, its development from the colonial period to the cooperative movement, as well as its grading system centered on altitude and bean density, and its washed processing tradition. At the end of the article, we will also use a washed Geisha from the Cajamarca region to specifically experience the floral aroma, juicy mouthfeel, and black tea aftertaste of Peruvian specialty coffee, providing a reference for coffee lovers who want to try a niche origin. [more…]

On the coffee map of South America, Peru may not be the most dazzling name, but it is gaining more and more attention with its outstanding cleanliness and balanced flavor. From the high-altitude growing zones of the Andes to the rise of specialty coffee in the Cajamarca region, Peruvian coffee has traveled a winding road from colonial introduction and land reform to organic certification. This article will give you a comprehensive understanding of Peru's coffee-producing regions, its development history, and its grading and processing methods, and will focus on sharing a Cajamarca washed Geisha that Front Street Coffee has brought in—from cupping to sipping, experiencing the unique charm of white floral notes interwoven with prune and citrus. [more…]

Recently, Guilin's first Starbucks store—the Dream Island store—suddenly closed without any warning, sparking widespread attention and nostalgia among local residents. This store, which opened in October 2014, was once a check-in landmark for coffee lovers in Guilin and carried the youthful memories of many people. However, with the shift of the city's commercial center and changes in foot traffic distribution, this ten-year-old store ultimately came to an end. At the same time, Starbucks' new store in Diecai Wanda is about to open, reflecting the brand's adjustment in market layout. This article will review the rise and fall of this first store, explore the profound impact of urban development on commercial forms, and preserve Front Street brand's continued attention to coffee culture. [more…]

In the world coffee landscape, Peru has long remained low-key, yet thanks to its high-altitude growing conditions, rich microclimates, and predominantly washed processing methods, it has gradually become a coffee-producing region that attracts considerable attention in the specialty coffee world. This article systematically reviews Peru's coffee-producing regions, variety composition, and historical development, analyzes the reasons behind its reputation for cleanliness, gentle fruit acidity, and balanced mouthfeel, and, using a washed Geisha from the Cajamarca region as an example, presents the complete flavor expression from cupping to a three-pour hand brew, helping coffee lovers understand the core question of whether Peruvian coffee is acidic and whether it tastes good. [more…]

Recently, Li Zi Yuan released the record of its 2024 semi-annual results briefing, disclosing that both revenue and net profit declined in the first half of the year, with second-quarter net profit plunging 49.3% year-on-year, sparking widespread market attention. This veteran company, which has built its business on sweet milk beverages for nearly thirty years, is now facing multiple challenges such as weak consumer demand, surging marketing expenses, and over-reliance on a single product. Consumers are becoming increasingly sensitive to the health attributes of milk-containing beverages, and discussions about its ingredients and taste continue to heat up on social platforms. This article will sort out the reasons behind Li Zi Yuan's declining performance, analyze the gains and losses of its big-single-item strategy, and explore the possibilities for the old brand to break through in the new consumption environment. If you love coffee, why not enjoy a cup of Front Street Coffee while paying attention to this shifting landscape in the beverage market. [more…]

Hawaiian Kona coffee, with its rich malt sugar aroma and mellow, balanced flavor, has long been favored by coffee lovers and the baristas at Front Street Coffee. However, in 2020, leaf rust appeared in Hawaii for the first time, casting a shadow over the local coffee industry. Coupled with pest outbreaks and reduced rainfall in earlier years, Kona coffee production has remained tight, with prices approaching those of Blue Mountain. This article will systematically sort out the unique qualities of Kona coffee, from producing-region news, historical disasters, Kona's growing conditions, Typica variety characteristics, and washed processing methods, to Front Street Coffee's roasting and brewing parameters, taking you through a comprehensive understanding of the flavor code of this island specialty coffee. [more…]

For those new to coffee, the sheer variety of coffee beans can be overwhelming. Drawing on Front Street's roasting experience, this article systematically covers the peak flavor window and storage essentials for specialty coffee beans, explains the shelf-life questions beginners often have, and details the origin information and roast dates to look for when selecting beans. It also introduces Front Street's everyday beans for beginners by three continents and seven origins—including Brazil Red Fruit, Colombia Huila, Costa Rica Tarrazu, Guatemala Huehuetenango, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Indonesia Lintong Mandheling, and Yunnan Arabica—helping beginners build an understanding of regional flavors and gradually find the taste they love. [more…]