During the pour-over brewing process, the foam that rises to the surface of the coffee bed keeps changing over time—its color gradually shifts from brownish-yellow to white, and its amount fluctuates. These seemingly ordinary bubbles actually hold hidden secrets: they share the same origin as the golden Crema of espresso, being composed of carbon dioxide, coffee oils, and fine particles. The color changes of the foam can help us judge the progress of extraction; the appearance of white foam often means that extraction is nearing its end, and continuing to extract can easily lead to over-extraction. The abundance of foam, meanwhile, reflects the roast level and freshness of the coffee beans. This article will guide you through interpreting the key information conveyed by these bubbles one by one, helping you control your brewing rhythm more precisely and brew a more delicious cup of pour-over coffee. [more…]

The extraction effect of a moka pot is closely related to the grind size of the coffee grounds, the amount filled, and the tamping method. Many people are puzzled about how full the filter basket should be, whether to tamp the grounds, how much pressure to apply, and how to judge the coarseness of the grounds. This article starts with the correspondence between the filter basket's capacity and the amount of coffee, explaining the grind state suitable for a moka pot—slightly coarser than fine espresso grounds, similar to the texture of fine salt; it explains why filling the basket is recommended, and how insufficient coffee grounds can easily cause channeling and uneven extraction; it also provides gentle distribution and pressing methods when reducing the amount of coffee, and warns of the safety hazards that may arise from tamping too hard. The article also combines Front Street Coffee's classic espresso blend beans to demonstrate the balanced flavor of an iced latte made after adjustment. [more…]

Just after Christmas, Manner Coffee drew attention for frequently issuing warning notices to its employees. Multiple employees reported that the reasons for being penalized were all over the place—a drop in the number of followers in a fan group, hair on the floor, looking at a phone for too long, and other such details could all become grounds for a warning. It is understood that Manner's headquarters monitors and audits store operations around the clock, and warning notices not only affect promotions but, once three have accumulated, may also lead to being pressured to resign. Under such high pressure, many frontline baristas are physically and mentally exhausted and choose to leave. Front Street Coffee follows industry trends and walks you through the ins and outs of the incident. [more…]

Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology recently issued storm and heavy rain danger warnings for seven states, including Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Paraná, with expected rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters per day and accompanied by strong winds of 60 to 100 kilometers per hour. Rainfall in northern São Paulo state has already accumulated to 90 millimeters, with local areas reaching up to 100 millimeters, and the risk of landslides and flooding has prompted the warning center to issue a yellow alert. Although no serious economic losses have been reported so far, the market is widely concerned that this round of severe weather will once again impact Brazil's new coffee crop production. The severe drought and forest fires from April to September had already damaged coffee trees during the flowering stage, leading many institutions to lower production forecasts and drive up coffee prices. This article will review key information such as Brazil's recent weather conditions, coffee futures trends, exchange rate impacts, and traders' credit risks. [more…]

Recently, a Mixue Bingcheng store in Guangzhou made trending searches after posting a handwritten warning about meal theft, stating that thieves would be tied to an overpass for eight hours, have ten buckets of milk tea poured on their heads, and have their videos exposed. The store responded that it was just a scare tactic and had never actually been carried out. The incident sparked heated discussions among netizens, with some sympathizing with the merchant's helplessness, while others pointed out that taking the law into one's own hands is suspected of being illegal. Suzhou police then spoke out, emphasizing that illegal detention is unacceptable and that one should call the police immediately. This controversy reflects the real dilemma of frequent meal theft in the milk tea industry and high loss prevention costs, and also prompts people to think about the balance between merchants defending their rights and the boundaries of the law. [more…]

Recently, prices for both Arabica and Robusta coffee in the international market have been on the rise. The main driver behind this is that Vietnam, the world's second-largest coffee producer, is experiencing a severe drought, causing Robusta coffee output to decline and global inventories to tighten accordingly. Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has issued a level-2 drought warning for five provinces—Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, Binh Thuan, Phu Yen, and Gia Lai—and warned of possible natural disasters. Rainfall in the central and Central Highlands regions has been significantly lower than in previous years during the same period, with water levels in many rivers dropping to historic lows. The Mekong River's water level has even broken its lowest record since 1926. The combination of drought and salinization has caused coffee trees in the flowering stage to wither and develop yellow leaves, and output in some producing areas may drop by as much as 30% to 50%. Local coffee purchase prices have soared to 120 million Vietnamese dong per ton, an annual increase of 250%, putting pressure on traders' cash flows. This article will review the development of the drought, production forecasts, and price trends, and also examine how brands such as Front Street Coffee are responding amid raw material fluctuations. [more…]

The global coffee market is facing an unprecedented price storm. Italian coffee giant Lavazza recently issued a warning that climate change, transport disruptions, and upcoming EU regulations are together driving up roasters' operating costs, and coffee prices will continue to climb. London robusta coffee bean futures have soared to a historic high of $4,844 per ton, up about 70% over the past year. Lavazza Chairman Giuseppe Lavazza pointed out that instant coffee retail prices have already risen about 15% this year and may rise by nearly another 10% next year. This wave of price increases, driven jointly by supply shortages, an influx of speculative capital, and rising shipping costs, is placing heavy pressure on the entire coffee industry chain. [more…]

Recently, news of a young child tragically choking to death after drinking bubble tea has sparked widespread discussion on social media. The incident occurred in Taizhou, Zhejiang, where a four-year-old boy drank bubble tea purchased by his parents while playing at an amusement park, then became unwell in the trampoline area and died from choking after an hour and a half of emergency medical treatment. The parents believe that the oversized and overly sticky tapioca pearls in the milk tea were the main cause of the tragedy, and pointed out that the store involved did not post conspicuous warnings, nor did the staff verbally remind them of the risks of children drinking it. At the same time, whether the amusement park and the shopping mall fulfilled their safety obligations has also become a focus of controversy. Currently, multiple local departments have stepped in to mediate, and the incident is still being further processed. [more…]

In Japan, anime culture has spawned all kinds of themed cafes, but recently a maid cafe called "Problem Children" has caused a huge uproar due to its extreme practices. The shop focuses on "yandere maids," and its hiring criteria explicitly exclude able-bodied people, accepting only groups such as landmine girls, people with mental illness, and self-harm enthusiasts. Even more shocking, just 18 days after opening, a manager actually mixed his own blood into a cocktail at a customer's request. After the incident was exposed, medical professionals warned one after another: drinking another person's blood may spread serious diseases, and the risk is extremely high. Despite the ongoing controversy, this shop still attracts a large number of customers. This article will walk you through the whole incident and professional coffee information, while also highlighting the specialty coffee bean information provided by Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Recently, a 20-year-old man in Shandong who had long used drinks such as milk tea and cola instead of plain water to quench his thirst had a blood sample that unexpectedly showed a milky white, separated state, and he was diagnosed with lipemic blood. Doctors pointed out that milk tea is a high-calorie drink, and long-term excessive intake can lead to elevated blood lipids, increased blood viscosity, and even trigger blood vessel blockage and cardiovascular disease. What is worrying is that similar cases are not isolated among young people, and reports keep appearing on social platforms of young people facing health crises because of their addiction to milk tea. This sounds a warning bell for all milk tea lovers: it is urgent to reasonably control the intake of high-sugar, high-fat drinks and cultivate healthy eating and exercise habits. [more…]

The 10th of each month is payday at Manner Coffee, and this year that day happened to coincide with the payout date for the 2024 year-end bonus. What should have been a day of double celebration instead turned into an anxious wait that kept many baristas awake all night. Some had their bank accounts credited on time, while others received only their January salary, with no sign of the year-end bonus. Even more puzzling was that some newcomers who had just joined two days earlier received bonuses, while store manager-level veteran employees who had worked diligently for years came away empty-handed. Within the company, accounts differed: HR explained it away as warning notices or policy adjustments, but employees pushed back. What exactly triggered this year-end bonus payout controversy? And why are the standards so unclear? [more…]

Starbucks' launch of olive oil coffee has sparked quite a bit of discussion, with some people conflating it with bulletproof coffee, but the two are actually fundamentally different. Nutritionists point out that extra virgin olive oil is not suitable for ordinary people to drink directly, and those with sensitive stomachs especially need to be cautious. This article will analyze the differences between olive oil coffee and bulletproof coffee from a professional perspective, and share the actual experiences of coffee enthusiasts. Follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account cafe_style) for more professional coffee knowledge. For specialty coffee beans, add Front Street Coffee's private WeChat qjcoffeex to learn more. [more…]

Recently, a strong cold front swept across China from north to south, hitting North China first before strong winds continued southward, dispersing the earlier muggy heat in South China. On this cool weekend, Nanning in Guangxi and Ningbo in Zhejiang each hosted outdoor coffee festivals, attracting many residents to visit and check in. However, the weather did not cooperate, and both events were hit by sudden fierce winds. Tents on site were uprooted, stall facilities were overturned, and the losses were heavy. Fortunately, there were no casualties. The meteorological observatory had issued a strong wind warning in advance, but the organizers did not adjust the event arrangements or take effective emergency measures, triggering widespread public questioning online. This article will take you through what happened at these two outdoor coffee festivals and discuss issues related to safety management for outdoor events. [more…]

Recently, many consumers have noticed that shelves at some Manner stores with in-house bakery sections were suddenly cleared, and staff gave inconsistent explanations for why the bread was pulled—some cited equipment upgrades, while others bluntly said the products were not profitable. Manner's official customer service responded that it was a temporary adjustment, but stores in multiple locations have already shown sold-out status. This change has left fans of its affordable freshly made bread deeply worried, and whether Manner will completely discontinue its bakery products remains uncertain. [more…]

A recent food safety punitive damages case disclosed by the Supreme People's Court has once again made the topic of coffee for weight loss a focal point. In August 2023, Cui purchased coffee weight-loss products for 2,960 yuan via WeChat. After taking them, he experienced symptoms such as thirst and dizziness. An investigation revealed that the manufacturer indicated on the product had long since had its production license revoked, so he filed a lawsuit in court. The Xiushan County People's Court of Chongqing determined that the merchant sold food knowingly not meeting safety standards and ordered the return of the purchase price plus ten times the compensation, totaling 32,560 yuan. At the same time, discussions on social platforms about coffee for weight loss are sharply divided: some share experiences of drinking coffee during fat-loss periods to boost metabolism, while others expose terrifying experiences of palpitations, cold sweats, and even testing positive for sibutramine after consumption. This article sorts out the case details, legal basis, and the dangers of sibutramine, and retains content related to brands such as Front Street Coffee, reminding consumers to lose weight scientifically. [more…]

The EU's deforestation-free regulation (EUDR), introduced last June, is facing strong backlash from the coffee industry. The European Coffee Federation (ECF) recently wrote to the European Commission requesting a delay to the implementation deadline for large companies, originally set for the end of 2024, warning that the regulation could impose an unbearable burden on millions of smallholder farmers. ECF members include giants such as Lavazza, Illy, Nestlé, and Starbucks, and their joint letter directly points to inadequate regulatory preparation. Meanwhile, companies such as JDE Peet's have already begun taking action, but analysts worry that passing on compliance costs will disrupt the coffee market. This article will sort out the sequence of events and include relevant observations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

The latest statement from the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (Vicofa) indicates that Vietnamese coffee prices are highly likely to continue their upward trend in 2024, with the core driver still being severely tight supply. Current spot quotes for robusta have risen to 67,200-68,000 Vietnamese dong/kg, up 900-1,000 dong from last week and about 8,000 dong higher cumulatively since early December. The new crop season opened in November at a record high of 60,000 dong/kg, with traders rushing to buy early out of fear of repeating last year's June predicament of having no beans to purchase, while coffee farmers, expecting further price increases, are holding back sales, leading to fulfillment difficulties and a distorted export structure. El Niño continues to intensify, and robusta-producing regions in Brazil and Indonesia are expected to see lower output, further reinforcing the logic of rising prices—something coffee industry professionals and enthusiasts should closely watch. [more…]

Panama's National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project recently released a report that, using global models and nearly 30 years of meteorological data, simulated the country's climate trajectory for 2050 to 2070. The results show that reduced rainfall and rising temperatures will directly impact Panama's agricultural production, especially the cultivation and trade of export crops such as coffee and bananas. At the same time, shipping through the Panama Canal and hydroelectric power generation will also face greater pressure due to drought. This article will walk you through the report's core findings and their potential impact on the coffee industry. [more…]

Recently, Starbucks was reported to conduct detailed audits of partners' daily operations by randomly accessing store surveillance footage, and listed as many as 8 violations in an internal email. From placing trash can lids on countertops to inadequate cleaning and sanitizing procedures for ice storage bins, these details that might previously have been overlooked have now become grounds for warning notices or even dismissal. After the news spread, many current employees felt greatly increased pressure, while consumers generally supported this strict oversight. This article sorts out the sequence of events, presents multiple perspectives, and explores the difficult balance that chain coffee brands must strike between food safety management and employee execution. [more…]

Recently, a short video showing raw drunken hairy crabs being added to milk tea cream and eaten quickly spread on social platforms, sparking widespread discussion. In the video, the blogger tasted this self-created drink at a popular milk tea shop, but it was later confirmed that the blogger had brought the crabs themselves for the staged video, and the shop did not sell the product. Netizens had mixed opinions on this behavior, while experts explicitly reminded the public not to imitate it, as eating frozen milk tea together with raw crab doubles the irritation to the stomach and intestines, and misleading the public for traffic is highly inadvisable. This incident also reflects the current situation in which the new tea beverage industry frequently engages in cross-sector innovation, but if innovation loses its boundaries, especially when food safety is involved, it is worth deep reflection. [more…]