A well-known chain milk tea brand, 1 Dian Dian, recently trended on social media due to a public welfare tweet about assisting children from impoverished families, sparking widespread discussion. The brand claimed to have helped a child living with his father in an 18-square-meter rented room by renovating the room and adding a desk and wardrobe, but netizens noticed from public photos that the aided boy was wearing a phone watch worth over a thousand yuan, and that the living conditions differed from the tweet's description, questioning whether he met the assistance criteria. Additionally, issues such as a large proportion of comic books among the donated items and the concentration of aid recipients in first- and second-tier cities were also raised. As public opinion heated up, the brand deleted and edited some posts but did not respond directly. The local subdistrict office and social work station later confirmed to the media that the recipient was indeed from a low-income household, excelling in both academics and character, and that the items were all donations. Behind the incident, the screening criteria and transparency of public welfare activities have become the focus. [more…]

South Korea's Ministry of Environment recently announced that, in order to safeguard animal welfare, it will completely ban the display of wild animals in non-zoo venues, including the wild animal cafes that have swept South Korea in recent years. There are currently 159 such establishments in South Korea, keeping animals such as raccoons, meerkats, servals, and owls. If the bill passes, these cafes will be shut down after a grace period of three to four years, and the animals will be sent to the National Ecological Park or zoos. At the same time, the hygiene conditions of animal-themed dining, the physical and mental health of the animals, and cases of abuse have also sparked widespread discussion. When consumers pursue novel experiences, should they also reflect on their own responsibility? [more…]

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style) For more specialty coffee beans, please add the personal WeChat of Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex Starbucks has opened Shanghai's first intangible cultural heritage concept store in Shenyu Li at the Suhewan Mixc World in Jing'an, Shanghai, which began trial operation on September 30. This store combines Yunnan ethnic minority craftsmanship with the design concept of Shanghai qipao, creating a unique venue that serves both as a third place and as an intangible cultural heritage art exhibition space. The store offers Reserve Yunnan coffee beans and incorporates interactive experiences such as siphon coffee brewing. This move continues Starbucks' public welfare trajectory since the "Rural Mothers Acceleration Plan" in 2020 and also echoes the current trend of guochao consumption. [more…]

From the imagined cat tea rooms in Japanese manga to the opening of the world's first cat café in Taipei, animal cafés were once seen as a blend of healing and goodwill. Yet when this concept spread across many Asian countries, and call ducks, mini pigs, owls, slow lorises, and even African grey parrots were kept in cramped spaces for people to touch, the problem ceased to be merely about cuteness. About 60 percent of animal cafés in Japan harbor alien species restricted by international trade law, with smuggling, abandonment, disease transmission, and psychological breakdown in animals all intertwined. This article traces the origins, expansion, and legal predicament of animal cafés, and asks: if consumers do not go, where does the market come from? [more…]

Ethiopian Ambassador to China Teshome Toga walked into Li Jiaqi's livestream and brought 4 tons of coffee beans roasted by the domestic brand Arada. As a result, they sold out in just 5 seconds to Chinese netizens, and the ambassador did not read a single word of the introduction script he had prepared. This is not the first time African coffee beans have been instantly snapped up in a livestream—in 2020, the 2,000 bags of coffee brought by the Rwandan ambassador also sold out in an instant. Behind these two livestreams are both the strong purchasing power of Chinese consumers and the warm power of public-interest support for farmers. This article will revisit the wonderful moments of these two livestreams and talk about what exactly makes African coffee beans so good. [more…]

Taiwan, China-based chain brand Seattle Premium Coffee was found to have blended Robusta into several pre-packaged bean products labeled "100% Arabica," prompting prosecutors to charge founder Liu and two others with adulteration and misrepresentation. The brand initially argued that Timorese/Timor varieties are a hybrid of the two species, then later changed its statement, saying it was an administrative oversight that the labels were not updated, and was willing to recall only some batches. The court calculated criminal proceeds at approximately 4.07 million yuan, and Liu sought to pay a public welfare fund in exchange for a suspended sentence. The core dispute in the case is that adding Robusta itself is not illegal, but whether a mismatch between the label and contents constitutes adulteration and misrepresentation under food safety law. This article sorts through the sequence of events, test data, and new courtroom statements, so coffee enthusiasts can understand industry labeling standards. [more…]

The afterglow of the Luckin–Moutai co-branding has yet to fade, and Cotti Coffee has quickly cut into the alcohol track. In December 2023, the Moutai Public Welfare Foundation and Cotti jointly established two funds at the Moutai Hotel in Guizhou, and authorized Cotti to exclusively sell Moutai Bu Lao Jiu and Maotan Jiu, donating 10 yuan for every bottle sold. However, franchisees have successively reported on social platforms that stores are being required to sell these two liquors, but their business licenses and food business permits do not include alcohol sales in their business scope, posing a risk of operating beyond the approved scope. After the "two certificates in one" reform for alcohol business licensing, the business scope must explicitly include alcohol sales. Whether Cotti stores can legally sell alcohol has become a hot topic of industry attention. [more…]

In recent years, animal-themed experience venues such as cat cafes and pet-friendly restaurants have rapidly gained popularity in cities, becoming a go-to escape for many office workers seeking to relieve stress. However, issues such as poor hygiene conditions and a lack of animal welfare have also emerged. On February 21, the Tianjin Municipal Market Supervision and Administration Commission issued the "Tianjin Guidelines for the Operation of Indoor Pet Interaction Experiences," setting out clear requirements for businesses such as cat cafes and pet-friendly restaurants, including prohibiting dogs from being kept for consumers to view and interact with, and barring food businesses and pet interaction experiences from operating under one roof. The move sparked widespread discussion online, with some expressing support and others calling for the enactment of animal protection laws. Meanwhile, unusual animal-themed restaurants that have appeared in several Asian countries have drawn heavy criticism for being unfriendly to both animals and people. Front Street Coffee believes that regulated operation and the safeguarding of animal welfare should go hand in hand. [more…]

Once upon a time, the furry bear paw reaching out from a hole in the dark gray wall on Yongkang Road in Shanghai warmed countless hearts. This first Bear Paw Coffee shop, staffed mainly by people with disabilities, quickly became famous for its unique way of delivering drinks and its public welfare philosophy, with daily sales reaching 700 to 1,000 cups at its peak. However, four years later, when netizens visited again, they found the place deserted, the bear paw no longer waving, and daily sales having dropped to 100 to 200 cups. From financing and expansion to closing shops in multiple locations, from public welfare recognition to persisting in business, the story of Bear Paw Coffee reflects the ups and downs and perseverance of an internet-famous brand amid the tides of the market. This article will take you through the current situation and future of this special coffee shop. [more…]

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, companies are showing off their employee gift boxes, and Luckin Coffee's Mid-Autumn benefits have sparked heated discussions on social media. Unlike previous years, this year Luckin has set clear work-hour thresholds for gift box distribution: full-time employees receive them via unified delivery from headquarters, while part-time and student employees must meet cumulative work-hour requirements for June to August. The gift boxes contain items such as Bluetooth earphones, straw cups, and mooncakes, and their practicality has earned praise from many employees, with some even offering 120 yuan to buy them on second-hand platforms. However, employees at joint-operation stores and part-time workers who did not meet the work-hour threshold were excluded, triggering dissatisfaction among some employees. This article will sort out the gift box distribution rules, employee feedback, and the corporate welfare management issues reflected therein, and include related recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

In recent years, animal-themed cafes have rapidly expanded around the world, with everything from cats and dogs to owls, meerkats, raccoons, and other wild animals being brought into the shops. However, animal protection organizations point out that these venues often lack effective oversight, and the animals are kept under chronic stress and sleep deprivation, with their physical and mental health seriously affected. In Japan, nearly 100,000 people have signed a petition demanding the closure of cafes featuring owls and other wild animals, and South Korea has announced a total ban on displaying wild animals outside of zoos. Should consumers also reflect: without demand, how can there be a market? [more…]

Although Costa Rica has a limited land area, it has become the world's fourteenth-largest coffee-producing country thanks to its fertile volcanic soil and long-term government support. This article traces the journey from the coffee defense institution established in 1933 to today's ICAFE research institute, outlining its role in advancing variety research and industrial upgrading, with a focus on disease-resistant breeding in cooperation with Starbucks and the birth of the Venecia variety. At the same time, the Musician Series Mozart from Canet Estate, which Front Street Coffee has acquired, uses a raisin honey process to present star fruit, berry acidity, and raisin sweetness. This article also shares its V60 brewing parameters and flavor performance. [more…]

Competition in the coffee market is becoming increasingly fierce, and it is already difficult to spark consumers' interest with just a latte or an Americano. From post office coffee to lottery joint stores, from sports brands to tech companies, players from all sides are entering the market, trying to attract young people's attention through cross-industry integration. A small shop in Hangzhou called "A Lucky Cafe" became popular on Xiaohongshu thanks to its combination of coffee and lottery tickets, sparking discussions among netizens about this kind of joint-operation model. In fact, as early as 2019, stores combining welfare lottery and coffee had already appeared in Shanghai. This model can not only bring consumers a fresh experience, but also help brands reduce rent and labor costs. This article will take you through the current state of cross-industry joint operations in the coffee industry and the logic behind them. [more…]

What kind of sparks fly when lottery meets coffee? In Jinan, Shandong, Nowwa Coffee has opened a "Welfare Lottery + Coffee" hybrid store, cleverly combining lottery products such as scratch cards and Double Color Ball with beverages like coffee and light milk tea. This grab-and-go store not only continues the brand's signature orange pony element, but also draws in customers of different age groups through lottery traffic. Back in April this year, Nowwa Coffee launched a custom "Pony Scratch Card," which drove a 63% month-on-month increase in sales of its gallon-sized buckets. Can this deep cooperation with the Welfare Lottery become a breakthrough move in the fierce competition of the tea beverage market? Let's take a closer look. [more…]

Kopi luwak has long been regarded as one of the most expensive coffee categories in the world. Its authentic origin is Indonesia, where coffee beans naturally excreted by civets are refined through multiple processes, resulting in extremely low yields. However, the market is flooded with affordable Vietnamese kopi luwak—so what is really going on? Front Street Coffee will analyze the essential differences between Vietnamese kopi luwak and authentic Indonesian kopi luwak, reveal the reasons behind its low price, review several common kopi luwak products on the Vietnamese market, and share Front Street's brewing parameters and flavor performance for kopi luwak. In addition, the article will also explore the proliferation of counterfeit kopi luwak and the issue of animal welfare in the production process, helping coffee enthusiasts view this special category rationally. [more…]

Animal-themed cafes have been springing up around the world in recent years, with cat, dog, and alpaca cafes becoming commonplace. However, a cafe in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, named Amix Coffee has taken a different approach by filling the floors of its two-story space with water and stocking it with ornamental fish and Japanese koi, creating what is called a "koi cafe." Customers must take off their shoes and wash their feet before entering the pool to interact with the fish up close. While this idea is eye-catching, it has also sparked heated debates over animal welfare, hygiene, and safety. Some netizens criticized the practice as inhumane, saying it could crush the fish to death or spread disease. Meanwhile, South Korea has announced a ban on exhibiting wild animals outside of zoos, bringing the boundary issues of animal-themed cafes back into the public eye. [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…]

Kopi Luwak has long been regarded as one of the most expensive coffee varieties in the world, with its authentic origin being Indonesia. However, there is a considerable amount of affordably priced Vietnamese Kopi Luwak circulating on the market—so what exactly is going on? This article will analyze the essential differences between Vietnamese Kopi Luwak and authentic Indonesian Kopi Luwak from the perspectives of origin, variety, and production methods. It will also introduce several common Vietnamese Kopi Luwak products and share Front Street Coffee's brewing parameters and flavor descriptions. In addition, we will explore the issues of counterfeit Kopi Luwak flooding the market and animal welfare concerns in the production process, helping coffee enthusiasts make more rational choices. [more…]

Kopi Luwak is considered a luxury in the coffee world, with prices reaching hundreds of dollars per pound, and products priced below 200 yuan in the domestic market are almost never genuine. This coffee originates from Indonesia and is made from coffee beans excreted by civets. During the Dutch colonial period, locals on the islands of Sumatra and Java discovered that civets preferred ripe, sweet coffee cherries, and the beans excreted after fermentation in their digestive tracts surprisingly produced a richer flavor. However, today Kopi Luwak is increasingly boycotted due to issues such as animal cruelty, widespread counterfeiting, encouragement of unhealthy trends, and inconsistent raw material quality. This article takes you through an in-depth look at the origins of Kopi Luwak, the truth behind its production, and the controversies surrounding the industry, and recommends coffee choices that truly focus on quality, such as Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Darjeeling spring-picked tea has long been a prized treasure sought after in the tea world, and the spring-picked white tea produced at the Badamtam Tea Estate is hailed as the finest among them. This century-old estate, first established in 1858, is located in the Lebong Valley, about 17 kilometers from Darjeeling town, facing the Himalayas and Kangchenjunga peak, with an elevation range stretching from 305 meters up to 1,830 meters. Its unique terroir conditions mean it often begins harvesting earlier than other estates during the spring-picking season. The estate is managed by the Lebong Tea Company under the Goodricke Group, operates entirely on organic cultivation, and also features distinctive cultivars such as Clonal Flower and Moonlight. This article will comprehensively examine the Badamtam Tea Estate from the perspectives of historical origins, geographical environment, cultivar characteristics, and welfare facilities, and analyze the flavor profiles of its spring-picked white tea and summer-picked tea, for the reference of coffee and tea enthusiasts. [more…]