Thursday, September 17 2026

Americano | When making an Americano, do you add water first or espresso first? Does the order of adding water affect the flavor and mouthfeel of an Americano black coffee?

Front Street Coffee has noticed that quite a few friends are still stuck on the question of "should you add water first or espresso first when making an Americano?" Because every time Front Street Coffee serves an Americano, there's always someone who asks: "The most authentic way to make an Americano should be to pour the espresso first and then the water, but why do most Americanos nowadays have the water poured first and the espresso after? [more…]

What heat should you use for a moka pot? Can you use an open flame/induction cooker/electric ceramic stove?: The bean selection order for tasting layered flavors

Beyond sourness and bitterness, aroma, sweetness, body, mouthfeel, and finish also make up the flavor experience. The order for choosing beans: first determine the orientation—floral and fruity, nutty and cocoa, or balanced—then match it across the three dimensions of origin, processing method, and roast level. Moka pot extraction is driven by steam pressure, so just fill the filter basket with grounds and [more…]

Sourcing commercial beans: factor delivery lead time into your costs first

Many new shop owners only look at the price per kilogram when calculating bean costs, but they never factor in the cost of a supply cut-off. On a certain Sunday afternoon, the beans in the grinder ran out, the warehouse was empty, and what would they use to serve drinks during the next morning rush? Choosing commercial beans is half about flavor and half about supply. Flavor can be selected through tasting, but supply, however, [more…]

Long Black Coffee|What is Australian Black Coffee? How Does It Differ from Americano? Introduction to the Standard Method of Making Long Black Coffee

Americano is arguably a world-renowned coffee drink familiar to everyone. Its composition is also very simple: espresso diluted with an appropriate amount of water. In Australia, there is also a local specialty coffee called "Long Black," which is likewise made from espresso and water. In Australia [more…]

Peru Andes Terra Nera Palm Civet Coffee: Origin, Production, and Harrods Release Details of the World's Most Expensive Coffee Beans

Terra Nera coffee beans are produced in the Quechua region in the southeastern Andes of Peru. Their value is greatly enhanced by the involvement of the palm civet (Uchunari) in processing, and they are recognized as one of the most expensive and rarest coffees in the world. Its annual output is affected by natural conditions and the state of the palm civets, and has sharply dropped from 70 kilograms to about 45 kilograms. It is divided into six grades, with the top Grade 0 being entirely hand-selected. These beans are sold only in limited quantities at Harrods in London, and must be roasted to order after reservation. Grade 0 even comes with English sterling silver decoration and a 24K gold-plated bag, with the name engraved by a silversmith. In terms of flavor, it is 100% Arabica, with notes of bitter cocoa, hazelnut, and dried leather. The mouthfeel shifts from light to buttery and silky, with a rich, mellow finish. Front Street Coffee will also continue to follow developments involving this kind of rare bean. [more…]

Light Roast Everyday Beans Recommendation | What Are the Differences Between Washed Yirgacheffe and Natural Yirgacheffe? Are Floral and Fruity Light Roast Beans Suitable for Beginners?

Yirgacheffe is a coffee-producing region in southern Ethiopia, and Yirgacheffe coffee is also considered one of the best coffees in the world. Front Street has learned that Yirgacheffe coffee is also the single-origin coffee that many beginner coffee enthusiasts first encounter. Yirgacheffe YirgaCheffe in the local language means [more…]

Espresso Coffee Brewing Methods | Why Is an Iced Americano from a Coffee Shop Warm After Removing the Ice? How Do You Make a Delicious Ice-Free Americano?

I wonder if any of you have ever ordered an "iced Americano without ice" at a coffee shop. If you have, then Front Street believes you were most likely puzzled by the coffee that was served. Why? Because the iced Americano without ice made by the vast majority of coffee shops differs somewhat from what you'd imagine. Regarding iced Americano without ice, what you'd imagine is [more…]

Espresso Black Coffee | Where Does the Long Black Come From? Is the Long Black the Same as an Americano?

Last weekend, a customer came in with a friend to have coffee. As soon as they walked in, they ordered from Front Street Coffee, saying, "Give me an iced Americano. Can you make it a Long Black?" After hearing this special request, Front Street Coffee told them directly, "No!" At this, the customer looked puzzled. "Why don't you sell Lo [more…]

Origins of Espresso | What Are the Common Espresso Drinks? Introduction to Espresso Milk Drinks, Fancy Coffee, Espresso Extraction Ratios, and Preparation Steps

Italian coffee refers to espresso (Espresso). According to the Oxford Dictionary, espresso is a highly concentrated coffee extracted under pressurized conditions, and is a type of coffee with a strong taste. Italian coffee originated in Italy during the Industrial Age, when people, in order to make the most of a brief break, [more…]

Characteristics of Latte Coffee Beans | What's the Difference Between Classic Italian Milk Coffees: Latte, Cappuccino, and Mocha? Recommended High-Cost-Performance Espresso Beans for Making Lattes and Americanos

Do you know what the differences are between Latte, Cappuccino, and Mocha? Standing in front of the café's ordering counter, have you ever had this question but not dared to ask it out loud, so you just ordered one at random, or always ordered the same [more…]

Americano Black Coffee | Is adding milk to an Americano the same as a latte? Why add milk to an Americano? How much milk makes an Americano taste best?

As is well known, an Americano refers to a cup of black coffee with nothing added except espresso and water. Its flavor is relatively mild, yet it retains the taste of the coffee itself. On the palate, it is bittersweet and fragrant. The first sip may be somewhat hard to accept, but as you gradually get used to it, you begin to experience its rich and aromatic flavor. For those who cannot quite [more…]

The Pros and Cons of Drinking Iced Americano | Is Authentic Americano Black Coffee Healthy? Is Americano Black Coffee High in Calories? Is Americano Bitter and Hard to Drink?

Americano, a coffee sold in every café and a must-order for coffee lovers, because Americano is quick to make, has great flavor, and tastes good. Office workers rushing to work often order an Americano when they go to a café, saving time while also giving themselves a boost for the workday. And in this [more…]

Benefits of Black Coffee | What Are the Health Benefits of Americano? How Do You Make an Authentic Americano? What Factors Cause Espresso Over-Extraction?

Americano, a coffee that every café sells, and a must-order for coffee lovers. Because Americano is quick to make, has great flavor, and tastes good, office workers who are rushing to work often order an Americano when they go to a café—saving time while also giving themselves a pick-me-up for work. And in this [more…]

Flat White Coffee Making Tutorial | Which country did Australian White Coffee originate from? How much espresso should be extracted and how much milk should be added to make an Australian White Coffee?

Before making a cup of Flat White coffee, Front Street briefly introduces its definition and characteristics. Flat White, also known as Australian White coffee, Little White coffee, or Fu Rui Bai coffee, among other names, originated in Melbourne, Australia. After Italians introduced espresso to Australia in the 1980s, in order to adapt to [more…]

The Origin Story of Geisha Coffee | Why Is Geisha Coffee So Expensive? Which High-Quality Geisha Pour-Over Coffee Beans Are Worth Buying for Beginners

Geisha, due to its pronunciation resembling the Japanese word for "geisha," has acquired the nickname "geisha coffee." Geisha coffee beans are considered the brightest, richest, and most intensely aromatic coffee variety. Because they keep breaking world coffee price records, Geisha has become a specialty cof [more…]

Selection of Coffee Beans for Latte Recommendations | Which Tastes Better, Latte or Mocha? What Are the Differences in Taste, Texture, and Preparation Between Latte and Cappuccino?

At Front Street Coffee, many friends order latte and mocha, two very popular coffees, and the baristas at Front Street Coffee are also very fond of them. But when it comes to the difference between them, many people probably don't know. Front Street tells you: actually [more…]

Coffee Flavor Tasting | Can drinking ice water before drinking pour-over coffee help you taste more flavors? What role does ice water play in the coffee tasting process?

"By rinsing our mouths with ice water, we can better appreciate a cup of coffee and more easily capture its delicate flavors." This is a saying that has long circulated in the community. That's why we often see customers in cafés, after ordering their coffee, ask the barista for a cup of ice water, and their main purpose is precisely this. [more…]

SOE Coffee | Why does switching to SOE coffee beans at a café cost extra? What makes SOE coffee more expensive than espresso?

When you go to a café and want to order an Americano or a milk coffee, you're often faced with two options: the default espresso blend, or the SOE that costs extra. At this point, some people might wonder, why is this "SOE" more expensive than the blend? What exactly makes it cost more? What exactly is SOE coffee? [more…]