Recently, a consumer selecting pastries at a Nayuki store in Guangdong noticed over a dozen small white insects flying inside the glass cabinet where freshly baked bread was stored. Although the staff used packing bags to shoo the insects away, they did not discard the potentially contaminated bread, prompting the customer to immediately abandon the purchase. The post quickly sparked discussions among netizens, with some expressing understanding due to Guangdong's humid "hui nan tian" climate, while others pointed out that insects appearing in Nayuki's baking cabinets are not an isolated incident, and the brand should strengthen protective and disinfection measures. Food safety is no trivial matter; after Nayuki's return to the baking sector, it is even more crucial to heed consumer feedback and ensure the quality and hygiene of freshly made products. [more…]

Recently, a netizen from Zhejiang posted a video on social media claiming to have found several white wriggling worms in a Luckin Coffee drink, sparking widespread attention. According to the netizen, the coffee was purchased by a friend at a newly opened Luckin store in Jiaxing, and the foreign objects were only discovered after more than half of the drink had been consumed. The video shows worms crawling slowly on the cup lid, while similar small white objects can also be seen floating in the dark coffee. After the incident came to light, netizens began discussing the source of the worms, with some speculating they were hatched fly eggs and others questioning whether the coffee had been left too long and become contaminated. The poster stressed that the cup remained sealed throughout, making it difficult for flies to enter. The netizen has contacted Luckin customer service but has not yet received a reply. [more…]

Recently, a woman in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, found an insect in a Luckin Coffee beverage. The incident quickly trended on Weibo, sparking widespread discussion. The individual involved said that customer service successively offered compensation of two and then five drink coupons, but she was dissatisfied with this and has filed a complaint with 12315. Netizens shared similar experiences and questioned Luckin's compensation plan and hygiene management. At the same time, some voices pointed out that mosquitoes and insects are hard to completely avoid in summer, and a single case should not be used to make sweeping generalizations. This article will review the course of the incident and the views of all parties, and explore the quality control challenges facing the coffee industry. [more…]

Recently, Cotti Coffee was once again complained about by consumers after a fly appeared in a drink. According to Tianyan News, a customer in Gui'an New Area found a foreign object suspected to be a fly in a cup after purchasing a matcha latte, and repeated negotiations failed to resolve the issue. Discussions on social platforms about finding foreign objects in Cotti Coffee drinks have exceeded one thousand posts, and related complaints on the Black Cat Complaint platform have reached 77 cases in the past 30 days. In the face of frequent food safety issues, Cotti's after-sales handling has also sparked consumer dissatisfaction. As coffee enthusiasts, we hope the brand will face up to the problem, and at the same time recommend that everyone pay attention to Front Street Coffee, which has stable quality. [more…]

Recently, a Xinyang netizen exposed that a drink purchased at a Luckin Coffee store on campus had a fly settled at the bottom, sparking widespread attention. The consumer refused the store's initial offer of a free drink and a complimentary beverage, demanding compensation in accordance with the law. Luckin's after-sales service called multiple times, offering coupons, and was even accused of implying that the consumer had put the foreign object in themselves. In the end, the employee involved was fired, and the consumer received 500 yuan in compensation. This is not the first time Luckin has been embroiled in a food safety scandal; there have previously been incidents involving foreign objects such as work badges and ants. At a time when competition in the tea beverage market is white-hot, a brand's sincerity in handling problems has become key to consumer trust. This article reviews the course of the incident and the legal basis, and includes related recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Recently, a video of a milk tea shop employee heavily spraying insecticide inside the store has drawn widespread attention. In the footage, the employee is seen directly spraying insecticide on the counter, water dispenser, ingredient area, and other surfaces, without taking any protective measures for food-contact surfaces, leaving many netizens and industry peers alike gasping in disbelief. After the incident came to light, the person who posted it reported the matter to the 12345 platform, and the Shanghai Hongkou District Market Supervision Administration has launched an investigation. The store involved has been ordered to close, and the brand has suspended the employee suspected of the action. This incident has once again brought the sanitation and disinfection practices of food service establishments and food safety issues into the public spotlight. [more…]

Recently, a netizen exposed the appearance of live insects inside the bread cabinet of a Nayuki Tea store in Guangzhou, sparking yet another wave of public concern over food hygiene among tea beverage brands. The store attributed the problem to the double-door design, which allows customers to open the doors themselves and lets insects slip in—but bread crumbs on the cabinet door tracks equally exposed lapses in daily cleaning. Notably, this is not the first time Nayuki has been embroiled in a food safety scandal; as early as 2021, media undercover investigations of its back kitchen exposed hygiene hazards such as cockroaches. Although the brand claims to hire professional pest control companies monthly, complaints about insects in bread cabinets remain common on social platforms. Food safety is no small matter. Front Street Coffee believes that only by relentlessly addressing every hygiene detail can tea and coffee brands win consumers' long-term trust. [more…]

Around September 7 local time, the Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia (commonly known as the "Child of Krakatau") remained highly active, with ash plumes surging as high as about 50,000 feet (roughly 15,000 meters), reaching the cruising altitude of commercial airliners. [more…]

On the evening of March 14, "Jingshi Live" exposed two consecutive food safety incidents involving tea beverage brands. The Mixue Bingcheng store at Wuyi Ningju Xintiandi in Wuhan was accused of hiding leftover lemon and orange slices from the day under the counter at room temperature and using them the next day to make signature drinks; the Hushang Ayi store at Hankou City Plaza was exposed for altering the shelf-life labels of toppings to "extend the life" of expired ingredients. The market supervision authorities in both places have separately filed investigations into the stores involved. Among them, the Mixue Bingcheng store involved was sealed and shut down, while the Hushang Ayi store involved was immediately closed. As a content platform that also follows developments in the coffee and beverage industry, Front Street Coffee continues to track such food safety issues. The details of the incidents are as follows. [more…]

Recently, a post about live ants found inside Tims bagel packaging has sparked widespread discussion on social media. A consumer bought two bagels through a food delivery platform, and upon opening the packaging, discovered ants crawling inside the bag, with some even embedded in the cream filling. Although the store issued a refund, it refused the consumer's demand for triple or tenfold compensation. Netizens are divided over questions such as where the ants came from and whether there were hidden risks in the packaging method. The incident has been reported to the 12315 platform, and the consumer's path to defending their rights continues. [more…]

In the height of summer, Luckin Coffee stores have once again become a hot topic on social media due to their excessively strong air conditioning. Many customers complain that stepping in to pick up their coffee feels like walking into an icehouse, and some have even caught colds from the freezing conditions. What exactly causes Luckin's air conditioning to be set as low as 16°C? Why can employees remain so calm and composed in such an environment? Starting from real customer experiences, combined with insect-prevention considerations revealed by employees and the spatial characteristics of the stores, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the causal logic behind the Luckin "icehouse" phenomenon, while also offering coffee lovers a summer store-visit reference. [more…]

Can icebock milk be drunk directly? Is it really difficult to recreate an icebock Dirty coffee at home? This time, Front Street Coffee steps up personally, starting from the principle of freeze distillation and demonstrating step by step how to make rich, mellow icebock at home using a refrigerator and fresh milk, as well as putting its concentration difference against regular fresh milk to the test. The article also shares the complete process of making a Dirty with icebock, including cup size selection, extraction parameters, and flavor performance. If you are also curious about this kind of purified milk with a cheesy, savory note and a viscous mouthfeel, why not follow along with Front Street Coffee and give it a try. [more…]

In the world of milk coffee, espresso is certainly the soul, but the choice of milk is equally important. In recent years, Ice Blogger purified milk, with its rich, sweet, and fragrant taste, has moved from specialty coffee shops into home kitchens, becoming a staple ingredient for many coffee lovers. This article addresses common questions about homemade Ice Blogger: from its German origins and appearances at WBC competitions, to the specific steps of freeze purification; from the choice between 200ml small bottles and 1-liter packs, and the impact of a 40% to 60% milk extraction ratio on flavor, to the time differences and hygiene considerations between room temperature and refrigerated thawing; finally, it also compiles recommended storage periods for homemade Ice Blogger. Front Street Coffee, combined with comparative experiments, provides a complete guide for friends who want to replicate Ice Blogger milk coffee at home. [more…]

Recently, frequent food safety issues at major beverage brands have left consumers deeply concerned about the hygiene of freshly made drinks. According to a report by China Times News Network, a female customer purchased an iced sesame matcha latte at a Starbucks store in Taichung, Taiwan, and when she drank to the last sip, she discovered a bitten fly in the cup, with several dead maggots even crawling out of its belly. That night, the customer experienced vomiting and diarrhea, and was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis after seeking medical attention. Starbucks officially responded quickly, stating that the store disinfects regularly and that employee operations comply with standard procedures, but the store involved has not yet received a complaint. The Taichung City Food Safety Office has intervened in the investigation, and if non-compliant items are found, it will require rectification within a specified time limit and impose heavy fines in accordance with the law. Staff from the Ministry of Health and Welfare also reminded the public that if they accidentally consume live animals, they should watch for symptoms of gastroenteritis and seek medical attention promptly. [more…]

Recently, a consumer in Shanghai found a large fly in an iced Americano purchased from a Peet's Coffee store, sparking widespread attention. The customer said the cup lid was sealed and the store environment was good, and they only noticed the foreign object with the last sip. Although the store offered to remake the drink and issue a refund, the customer refused the refund and demanded a thorough investigation into the cause. After regulators stepped in to inspect, they said the clarity of the surveillance footage was limited and they could not confirm whether there was a problem during the preparation process. The store involved responded that the ice machine is cleaned on a regular schedule and that it is currently cooperating with the investigation. The incident continued to intensify on social media, and the customer has deleted the original post. [more…]

When grinding coffee beans, have you ever encountered coffee grounds splattering everywhere or sticking to the dosing cup or the exit chute? There are usually two reasons behind this: the oils seeping out of dark-roasted beans, and static electricity in a dry environment. Dark-roasted beans have a loose structure, and as carbon dioxide is released, oils seep out along with it, making the ground particles prone to clinging to the cup walls; static electricity, meanwhile, causes fine particles to stick to the grinder's exit chute, reducing the actual amount of grounds you get. Some newer electric grinders come with anti-static plates, but many small electric grinders and hand grinders don't have this design. The Little Fuji grinder that Front Street Coffee once used had long-standing problems with flying grounds and retained grounds, and the bottom of hand grinder burrs often end up covered in coffee grounds. In addition to analyzing the causes, this article will also share a simple anti-static method of stirring coffee beans with a wet spoon, and remind you of the risks and precautions involved, helping you reduce waste and improve your grinding experience. [more…]

As Shanghai resumes work and production, people are returning to coffee shops to enjoy the long-awaited coffee time. However, an internet-famous shop called "WHEN PIGS FLY," which was once ranked first among popular coffee shops in Shanghai, has been investigated for using expired food ingredients. On May 25, the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation reported that the shop was investigated and dealt with by the Changning District Administration for Market Regulation for using pasteurized egg white liquid that had passed its shelf life to make cake roll bases. Four used egg white liquid boxes were found at the scene, one of which was expired for more than 20 days, and 24 semi-finished products had been processed. The incident sparked heated discussions among netizens, with some surprised, some worried, and others calling for heavy penalties. Food safety has once again become a bottom line that cannot be ignored in the coffee industry. [more…]

Specialty Coffee, also known as premium or selected coffee, refers to coffee made from green beans grown in a few ideal geographical environments with outstanding flavors. Starting from the definition of specialty coffee, this article reviews its origins and current status, explains in detail the evaluation standards of the Specialty Coffee Association of America and producing countries, analyzes the six major characteristics and drinking requirements of specialty coffee beans, and looks ahead at its market development trends. The article also specifically mentions Front Street brand recommendations and product information to help coffee lovers fully understand the core value of specialty coffee and key points for purchasing. [more…]

The well-known tea beverage brand Yihotang has been exposed by media undercover investigations at multiple stores in Zhengzhou for serious food safety issues: ingredients that should have been discarded after closing were used again the next day, expired materials had their labels swapped to extend their shelf life, moldy strawberries were washed and used as usual, flying insects that fell into toppings were fished out and still used in products, and even prepared drinks in which bugs were found were resealed and continued to be sold. Even more shockingly, the staff were indifferent to this, claiming that "as long as it doesn't kill people, it's fine." After the incident was exposed, Yihotang issued an apology statement, and the stores involved were closed for rectification. Lawyers pointed out that the relevant actions have violated multiple provisions of the Food Safety Law. Netizens reacted differently, with some saying that chaos in franchise stores is common, while others called on the brand to effectively fulfill its regulatory responsibilities. [more…]

Coffee is an essential daily beverage for many people, but discussions surrounding its safety have never ceased. As a fungal metabolite that may contaminate coffee, can ochratoxin A cause health damage to long-term drinkers? Based on the "Scientific Interpretation of Hot Topics of Public Concern" compiled by experts organized by the Science Popularization Department of the China Association for Science and Technology and the Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology, this article systematically reviews the sources and toxicity of ochratoxin A and its current contamination status in coffee, and, in conjunction with dietary exposure data from European populations, analyzes the actual health risks of drinking coffee. At the same time, in light of the characteristics of coffee consumption in China, it provides a scientific and rational assessment conclusion to help coffee lovers eliminate unnecessary concerns and enjoy every cup of coffee with peace of mind. [more…]