Recently, a dispute involving a probationary employee at a milk tea shop sparked widespread attention on social media. The poster said they found a job at a milk tea shop through a recruitment platform, and during the trial period was assigned to clean a new store that had not yet opened. After finishing the cleaning, they were told not to come back, and the shop refused to pay the promised training-period wages. After the incident was exposed, many netizens spoke up for the worker and spontaneously left a large number of negative reviews for the shop on third-party platforms. Under public pressure, the shop eventually paid the training-period wages. This kind of phenomenon, in which probationary employees are used as free labor, is not uncommon across industries and deserves job seekers' vigilance. [more…]

Many people want to find coffee beans that are completely acid-free, but in reality, coffee that contains absolutely no acidic substances at all hardly exists. The so-called "acid-free" coffees on the market are often just extremely low in acidity, to the point where it is hard to detect. The acidity level of coffee is mainly influenced by variety, growing environment, processing method, and roast level, among which the degree of roasting is especially key—the darker the roast, the more acidic substances are broken down, and the more prominent the bitterness and roasted aromas become, making it easier to mask any remaining acidity. This article will explain the principles behind this and recommend three nearly acid-free Front Street Coffee dark roasts according to flavor intensity: Brazil Queen Estate, Golden Mandheling, and Jamaica Blue Mountain, helping you choose beans precisely based on your taste preferences. [more…]

Have you ever suddenly found yourself out of filter paper while brewing coffee at home—does that leave you completely stuck? Actually, that's not the case. Filter paper is indeed indispensable for pour-over and other drip-style extractions, but if you switch to immersion extraction, its role becomes optional. Immersion extraction means fully steeping the coffee grounds in water. The extraction efficiency gradually slows as the water temperature drops and the concentration difference decreases, so over-extraction is less likely, the margin for error is higher, and the mouthfeel is fuller. Even without any filtering tool, as long as you master a few small techniques, you can still brew a clean, grit-free cup of coffee. In this article, Front Street Coffee will use a native variety from Ethiopia's Kafa Forest, relying on just two containers and a spoon, to test the entire process of filter-free immersion extraction, and compare the core differences between immersion and drip methods. [more…]

Coffee grounds, when properly processed, have a variety of uses such as deodorizing and fertilizing, so many customers ask coffee shops for them. Some shops are happy to provide them free of charge. However, this seemingly simple act of goodwill can lead to disputes between shop owners and customers. Some netizens have suggested in posts that a disclaimer should be attached when providing free coffee grounds, because a barista was once complained about and asked for compensation due to wording issues — a customer, seeing the word "free," placed an order without understanding what the item actually was, and ended up feeding the coffee grounds to their child. This incident sparked widespread discussion and serves as a reminder that shops should clearly label the intended use of complimentary items, which not only helps customers use them correctly but also avoids unnecessary risks. [more…]

Recently, Gu Ming launched a "Summer Buy One Get One Free" campaign, with 8 star products participating, originally intended to attract foot traffic and boost revenue. However, after the campaign went live, store orders far exceeded expectations, and back-of-house staff were forced to handle fresh fruit, whip cream, and other prep work under high intensity for long hours. Some worked 15.5 hours straight, and their hands cramped from peeling grapes. The brand's frequent collaborations, takeout wars, and limited-time offers have left the "farm tea workers" complaining endlessly, and also exposed the disconnect between campaign planning and store staffing and process simplification. This article reviews the real situation of this order surge and the voices of employees, while also offering coffee lovers a product perspective from brands such as Front Street Coffee. [more…]

When ordering at a coffee shop, pour-over coffee and espresso often make it hard to choose. What essential differences actually exist between the two? Is it extraction pressure, operating technique, or the way the final flavor is presented? Front Street Coffee will start from the 9-bar high-pressure extraction of espresso, gradually breaking down the details of distribution, tamping, and extraction, then turn to the pressure-free free-fall extraction of pour-over coffee, explaining in detail the three-stage pouring technique and the skills for judging when to pour again. The article also recommends Front Street washed Yirgacheffe as a beginner bean for enthusiasts who have just come into contact with pour-over, and includes complete brewing parameters and flavor descriptions to help readers build a clear understanding of regional flavors. [more…]

When you go to a coffee shop, you often see both pour-over coffee and espresso on the menu—so what exactly is the difference between the two? From the perspective of Front Street Coffee, this article systematically sorts out the 9-bar pressure extraction process of espresso and the pressure-free free-fall extraction method of pour-over coffee, comparing their respective characteristics and suitable scenarios. It also introduces in detail the three-stage pouring technique for pour-over, and, using Front Street Ethiopia washed Yirgacheffe G2 as an example, provides specific brewing parameters and flavor descriptions, helping beginners build an understanding of regional flavors and find the type of coffee that suits them. [more…]

Indonesia has been on the coffee-planting path since the Dutch started it in the 17th century, and to this day Indonesia's coffee enjoys a pivotal position internationally. But if you were to ask which Indonesian specialty coffee is the most famous, many people would probably think of Sumatra Mandheling. So what exactly is Mandheling? Does it taste good? How do you choose a high-value [more…]

As coffee consumption becomes increasingly popular, more and more coffee grounds are produced every day. These seemingly useless "waste materials," through the clever reuse of netizens, have become treasures for composting and deodorizing. However, when consumers want to ask coffee shops for free coffee grounds, they encounter completely different treatment: Luckin stores strictly refuse, while Cotti generously gives them away. What exactly are the regulations and hidden reasons behind this? This article takes you to find out, and includes practical advice from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

At a time when siphon and pour-over coffee are all the rage, the AeroPress, with its syringe-like shape and simple operation, is becoming a hot new trend among baristas. This device is easy to use, lightweight, and drop-resistant, so you can brew a cup anytime at home or outdoors. This article will outline the core features of the AeroPress—brewing completed in about one minute, a sediment-free cup after filtering, and hassle-free cleaning—and break down the four major factors that determine coffee quality: water temperature, stirring, time, and pressure, analyzing how each variable affects the final flavor. At the end, it also includes the AeroPress brewing parameters for Front Street 90+ Candlelight for everyone to reference and practice with. [more…]

Front Street Coffee is launching a limited-time special promotion, covering selected drip bags, six best-selling everyday beans, and thirteen specialty coffee beans, with single-origin beans discounted by up to 50%. Among them, Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda Blue Label Geisha is offered at half price—49 yuan for 100 grams—while everyday beans such as Yunnan small-batch, washed Yirgacheffe, and Mandheling are only 9.9 yuan. This season’s drip bags are 19.9 yuan for a box of ten, with free shipping nationwide. The promotion runs from July 15 to July 17, only this once. Whether you need everyday staples or want to try the Geisha flavor profile, this sale is worth checking out. Below, we introduce each product and its flavor characteristics in the order of drip bags, everyday beans, and specialty beans. [more…]

Front Street Coffee takes you on an in-depth look at Hacienda La Esmeralda's anaerobic slow natural process. In 2019, the estate's natural coffee set a new record with 95.25 points, and its washed lot also scored 95 points, both reaching new highs. The Lamastus family uses an anaerobic slow-dry technique, fermenting the coffee beans in oxygen-free tanks for five days, then drying them slowly over five weeks, resulting in intense wine aromas and cocoa notes in the cup. This article not only reviews the details of this breakthrough processing method, but also analyzes its flavor impact on coffees of different altitudes and varieties, especially how Geisha retains its clean and elegant character at high altitudes. [more…]

Recently, a coffee machine labeled "Consumption Poverty Alleviation Cabinet" appeared in an office building cafeteria in Shanghai, with drinks priced as low as under 4 yuan, and two lattes even priced at 0 yuan. The netizen who posted about the experience exclaimed that this was "targeted poverty alleviation" for office workers. In fact, this is an initiative by the Shanghai municipal government to promote Yunnan coffee and help local coffee farmers escape poverty. Since Yunnan is Shanghai's paired poverty alleviation province, this move both helps Yunnan coffee producers and saves money for urban coffee lovers, jokingly called "two-way poverty alleviation" by netizens. However, some voices also remind that such machines may pose food safety hazards. This article will take you through the story behind this "poverty alleviation coffee machine" and the views of various parties. [more…]

Recently, a kind of cold boiled water different from the traditional sense has quietly become popular on social platforms—it comes from the hands of milk tea or coffee shop employees, is processed through a filtration system, is not boiled, and is poured into a transparent PE cup filled with ice cubes and sealed. Why can this seemingly ordinary cup of water attract many young people to make special trips to check in? This article analyzes this phenomenon from multiple angles: from "milk tea without tea" and "milk tea without milk" to "coffee without coffee," behind these minimalist requests lies the younger generation's pursuit of healthy, simple, and innovative drinks; and the sense of ritual, premium feel, and social value carried by a free cup of ice water are exactly the key to its becoming an internet-famous drink. At the same time, the article also retains professional information related to Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Want to enjoy a silky, smooth latte but don't have an espresso machine at home? In fact, with just a few simple steps—steeping coffee grounds in milk at low temperature—you can make a full-bodied, guilt-free cold brew latte. This article explains in detail the principles of milk-brewed coffee, the materials needed, brewing parameters and steps, and also includes a lazy version and tasting suggestions. It recommends several Front Street Coffee beans, including Sun-Dried Huakui, Mozart, Red Cherry, and Strawberry Candy, to help you easily enjoy professional-grade coffee flavors at home. [more…]

Latte art is a visual art created by the collision of milk and espresso, mainly divided into two forms: free pouring and etching, where free pouring tests technique and etching tests creativity. This article systematically outlines the five steps to learning milk latte art, from choosing equipment and extracting espresso to steaming milk foam, and then to flow control and pattern practice, gradually guiding you through the basics. It focuses on explaining the injection point selection, flow control, and swinging rhythm for two basic patterns—the tulip and the leaf—and recommends using Front Street Coffee's specialty blend to make espresso, allowing the nutty caramel flavor to better blend with the milk's sweetness. Whether you are a coffee enthusiast just starting out or a barista looking to refine your skills, you can find practical practice methods here. [more…]

Many people wonder: are dark roast coffee beans necessarily more bitter than light roasts? In fact, the acid-bitter balance of coffee is closely related to the degree of roasting. Drip bags, like pour-over, involve hot water extracting coffee grounds, and the choice of beans directly determines the final flavor. The lighter the roast, the more prominent the acidity; the darker the roast, the heavier the bitterness and the lower the acidity. Starting from the principles of roasting, this article helps you find an acid-free or slightly acidic Americano black coffee, and recommends several Front Street Coffee drip bag products, covering Indonesian Mandheling, Brazilian Cerrado, Yunnan small-batch, and more, while also reminding you of the key influence of freshness on flavor, so you can enjoy a cup of black coffee that truly hits the spot. [more…]

To open a coffee shop or replenish your home supply of everyday beans, finding a stable and reliable wholesale channel is key. Guangzhou's long-established Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee) keeps over 50 single-origin beans in stock offline, spanning many well-known producing regions and estates across Africa, the Americas, and Asia, so you can find a suitable choice whether for pour-over, espresso, French press, moka pot, or cold brew. This article compiles Front Street Coffee's latest single-origin coffee bean list and green/roasted bean wholesale price report, covering popular beans such as Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, Mandheling, Blue Mountain, and Hacienda La Esmeralda, with grades, processing methods, roast levels, and flavor descriptions attached, making it convenient for roasters and cafes to purchase as needed. For commercial use in opening a shop, Front Street Classic Blend is recommended, a combination of three producing regions—Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam—with a medium-dark roast bringing a mellow mouthfeel and rich oils, equally suitable as everyday beans for home use. [more…]

Drip bag coffee was invented in Japan. Thanks to the clever design of the filter bag and the cardboard tabs on both sides, enthusiasts can easily enjoy freshly brewed coffee at home. Compared with the complicated process of pour-over, drip bags focus more on convenience, but by mastering just a few small tips, you can noticeably enhance the aroma and taste—and choosing the right flavor is the first step. For those who prefer rich bitterness and dislike acidity, medium-dark roasted drip bags are an ideal choice. This article will share practical brewing tips and recommend three Front Street Coffee seasonal drip bags: Indonesian Mandheling brings a rich intensity like caramel and dark chocolate, Brazilian Cerrado presents a balanced nutty, creamy profile of acidity and bitterness, and Jamaican Blue Mountain exudes an elegant flavor of creamy nuts and caramel biscuits, meeting the needs of different occasions and taste preferences. [more…]

Walking into Starbucks but hesitating over the menu? This article rounds up the five most popular drinks among customers right now, including the Oat Latte, Iced Americano, Cold Brew, plus the caffeine-free Matcha Frappuccino and Iced Shaken Berry Hibiscus Tea, explaining each one's features and who it's best suited for. It also includes the 2023 price list for Starbucks' four major series—Handcrafted Espresso, Frappuccino, Teavana, and Cold Brew—covering full pricing from Tall to Grande and Venti, so you can quickly decide based on your budget and taste. Whether you're lactose intolerant, cutting sugar to lose weight, or simply want to try something different, you'll find your next cup here. [more…]