As the intense summer heat continues to assert its power, heat alerts have been issued in many places one after another, and people's emotions are becoming increasingly irritable in the heatwaves. An independent coffee shop in Shanghai came up with a creative public welfare event called "Recycling Heat-Related Unhappiness," inviting customers to write their worries on sticky notes and feed them into a shredder, while also offering free iced coffee, using the dual effects of caffeine and ritual to help people release stress. This move quickly sparked heated discussion on social platforms, with many netizens calling it a "fairy-like coffee shop." In fact, coffee's positive effect on mood is not just empty talk. Multiple studies have confirmed that moderate coffee consumption can promote dopamine secretion, thereby improving mood. [more…]

The co-branding campaign between Chagee and "Ne Zha 2" had not yet been officially announced, but a large number of leaked merchandise images had already surfaced on social media, sparking heated discussion among fans. However, as more images were exposed, merchandise enthusiasts who had been full of anticipation discovered that the square badges in this design bore a striking resemblance to competitor Cotti's fridge magnets, and the quality also fell short of expectations, with disappointment written all over their faces. Facing the growing public discourse, Chagee's official account appeared in the comments section to debunk rumors and try to soothe fans' emotions. Meanwhile, Cotti, which was the first to launch its co-branded campaign, won praise for its sincerity and after-sales service, invisibly putting comparative pressure on Chagee. How will this co-branding controversy unfold? And what gaps exist between fans' expectations and the brand's preparations? [more…]

No matter how the outside temperature changes, tea can always offer us an ideal beverage choice. Tea symbolizes warmth, comfort, and nourishment; in cold seasons, holding a cup of hot tea feels like giving yourself a gentle hug. The rich nutrients contained in tea leaves help purify body and mind. In winter, the body's resistance tends to decline, and sticking to a regular tea-drinking habit can help maintain health in many ways. This article will explain in detail the four main benefits of tea: speeding up metabolism, soothing emotions, relieving colds, and refreshing the mind, while also introducing alternative choices such as herbal teas and recommending quality tea products from the Front Street brand to help you get through a warm and healthy winter. [more…]

After canned yellow peaches were jokingly called something that should be covered by medical insurance, and electrolyte water sold out, young people have now turned their attention to the "COVID special drinks" from major milk tea brands. When your throat hurts like you're swallowing razor blades and buying medicine is difficult, a cup of orange, lemon, and snow pear tea rich in vitamin C has become a comfort for many. Related products from brands such as Heytea, Nayuki, Shanghai Auntie, and Mixue Bingcheng have surged in popularity, with some stores even selling out. Can these drinks really relieve sore throats and hoarseness? This article walks you through the logic behind the popularity of "COVID special drinks," representative products, and whether they are merely psychological comfort or truly beneficial. Follow Coffee Workshop for more professional coffee knowledge and Front Street Coffee recommendations. [more…]

Floral aromas are a highly sought-after yet elusive flavor type in specialty coffee. Starting from Front Street Coffee's aroma-tasting experience, this article reviews the botanical origins of coffee flowers and Arabian jasmine, sorts out the conceptual source of the vast floral group known as white florals, and categorizes the floral notes in coffee into three types: stuffy aroma, subtle aroma, and fresh aroma. Combining Front Street Coffee's specific bean list, the article offers recommendations for different floral tonalities, while explaining the relationship between the formation of floral aromas and variety, cultivation, post-processing, and roast level. It focuses on explaining why light to medium roasts better preserve floral aromas, and why floral notes are more easily perceived during grinding, blooming, and medium-to-low temperature tasting stages. [more…]

Recently, a surveillance video from a Luckin Coffee store in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, has gone viral online. The video shows a customer who, after waiting 25 minutes, demanded that the staff prioritize making their drink. When refused, the customer lost control of their emotions and verbally attacked the staff, even mocking their education and appearance. Unexpectedly, the two employees remained calm and restrained throughout, responding with a composed attitude. The incident sparked widespread discussion among netizens, with many praising the employees' professionalism, while others suggested the brand should give them a "grievance award." The employees involved said they have called the police, hoping to make more people realize that insulting others comes at a cost. [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow: Front Street Coffee (Frontsteet Coffee). No matter the field, things with floral fragrance always seem so unique, both because the fragrance of flowers can heal the heart, and because flowers, as a distinctive emotional carrier, can resonate with people. That is, [more…]

Want to find a balance between a gentle buzz and staying clear-headed? Spiked coffee is becoming a new choice for many young people. When you're tired during the day, a hint of alcohol helps relax your nerves; after work at night, a warm alcoholic coffee soothes body and mind; and when the weather turns cold, it brings warmth from the inside out. This article compiles 10 alcoholic coffee recipes suitable for making at home, from simple convenience-store mixes to creative versions with milk foam, and to specialty cocktail coffees with a stronger alcoholic kick, covering pairings with various base spirits such as Baileys, whiskey, gin, brandy, and rum. When making them, there's no need to be rigid—just adjust the amount of alcohol to your personal preference—but be sure to drink in moderation according to your own condition, minors are prohibited from drinking alcohol, and drunk driving is strictly forbidden. At the end of the article, there is also a communication channel for Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), making it convenient for coffee lovers to discuss further. [more…]

Floral aromas are an extremely rare flavor type in the world of coffee, and not every coffee bean can present them. Starting from varietal genetics and growing environment, this article analyzes the principles behind the formation of floral aromas in coffee, and uses Front Street's Emerald Green Label Geisha from the Boquete region as an example to share in detail how to fully release the jasmine, citrus, and green tea notes contained in Geisha by adjusting the coffee-to-water ratio, pouring technique, and extraction time. Whether you are a beginner just getting into specialty coffee or an enthusiast hoping to refine your brewing skills, this guide will help you understand the dissolution characteristics of floral compounds and master practical methods for brewing a clear floral aroma. [more…]

Blue Bottle Coffee has opened a new store in Chayamachi, Japan. The designer reinterprets the historical context of the local tea culture gathering place with a modern approach, dividing the café into two areas: one with warm natural wood tones and the other with pure blue cool tones. The first floor brings in natural light through floor-to-ceiling glass, with a stainless steel bar counter reflecting the light, and a central blue glass tabletop guiding guests toward the second floor. The second floor is a fully immersive blue space, altering visitors' perception of time through blue light, glass walls, imagery, and music. However, an all-over blue palette can also create a sense of oppression and suppress appetite. This article will walk you through the design details of each floor one by one, along with professional information from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Recently, a video of a conflict between a Starbucks employee and a customer has drawn attention on social media. In the video, the employee, who refused to sell cold brew concentrate—a semi-finished ingredient—on its own, was fiercely insulted by the customer and nearly came under physical attack. After the incident came to light, netizens expressed sympathy for the employee and discussed topics such as how the brand handles customer complaints and how employee rights are protected. Many current employees also shared similar experiences, pointing out that the company often smooths things over by issuing coupons, which may encourage malicious complaints and leave frontline staff disheartened. [more…]

Besides drinks and ambiance, background music is also a key factor in keeping customers at a café. Recently, a Starbucks store drew attention for playing the folk song "Jasmine Flower" on repeat, with some customers finding it fitting and others joking that they felt like they were in a Jiangnan teahouse. Employees, however, suffered from hearing it repeatedly for long hours, saying they were "sick of it." The store then changed its playlist to songs by the late singer Khalil Fong, which moved many fans. This article takes you through this amusing store incident sparked by background music, while keeping the relevant Front Street Coffee brand recommendations. [more…]

At a time when tea beverage brands are competing to invite celebrity endorsements to gain traffic, Chagee originally planned to hold an offline event at Changsha IFS with celebrity Lin Yi in attendance, but it was temporarily called off because the number of people who showed up far exceeded expectations. This turn of events not only forced the brand to issue an emergency apology, but also triggered a chain reaction—a large number of disappointed fans turned to the rival Sexy Tea store also near Changsha IFS, unexpectedly bringing the latter a wave of orders and attention. This article will review the whole incident and analyze the reasons behind and impact of the cancellation of this event. [more…]

Have you ever noticed that there always seems to be a group of well-dressed people in coffee shops, intently tapping away at their keyboards? They're known as the coffee shop atmosphere crew. Why can working in a café boost productivity? This article analyzes the phenomenon from multiple angles—the coffee shop effect, white noise, evaluation apprehension, sunk cost, and the effects of caffeine—while also reminding readers that not everyone is suited to working in a café, and includes a brand recommendation for Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Luckin Coffee recently launched an internal AI-based store scheduling system that collects historical business data to predict the daily staffing and working hours needed at each store, attempting to allocate existing manpower more efficiently. However, this seemingly scientific automatic scheduling has drawn widespread complaints from many Luckin employees. They point out that the system uses hourly cup output as its core reference only, completely ignoring a large amount of invisible work such as cleaning, ingredient preparation, and expiration checks, leaving baristas working alone exhausted and even forced to work unpaid overtime just to finish up. Some employees say outright that they feel like they have become a machine that never stops behind the bar, with even eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom becoming luxuries. This efficiency reform driven by algorithms is pushing frontline baristas to the brink of physical and mental exhaustion. [more…]

After the pandemic, the coffee industry has entered a new round of reshuffling, and many aspiring entrepreneurs are starting to think about how to open a successful coffee shop. However, a love for the aroma of coffee and a relaxed atmosphere is far from enough—running a café is essentially a business. This article systematically sorts out the core elements of successful coffee shop management, from market research, professional knowledge, and operating models to brand marketing, and combines DATA100's consumer trend data to analyze the behavioral changes of young consumer groups. At the same time, the article also explores the different development paths of internet-famous shops and specialty shops, emphasizes the importance of product quality and word-of-mouth, and mentions the practices of brands such as Front Street Coffee in the specialty field, providing practical and feasible ideas for readers who intend to open a shop. [more…]

Pour-over coffee may seem complicated, but every pour is actually full of a soothing sense of ritual. Yet mood swings, pouring rhythm, grind size, water temperature… a deviation in any one of these will make the final flavor vastly different. The six major factors affecting pour-over extraction—coffee bean freshness, grind size, coffee-to-water ratio, brewing water temperature, pouring technique, and extraction time—are all interconnected, and pulling one thread moves the whole system. In this article, Front Street will break down one by one the specific mechanisms by which these six variables affect flavor, and provide grind sifting-rate recommendations for light-roast and medium-dark-roast beans, a coffee-to-water ratio range of 1:14 to 1:18, water temperature references of 90-91°C and 88-89°C, and a complete demonstration of three-pour brewing, to help beginners build a stable, reproducible brewing framework. [more…]

Starbucks, which has long cultivated a business ambiance with soothing music such as jazz and blues, recently abruptly changed its playlists across stores nationwide, heavily featuring Chinese pop hits from the 2000s, including representative songs by artists such as Jay Chou, David Tao, and Jolin Tsai. This change caught regular customers off guard; some found it refreshingly down-to-earth, while others complained it made it hard to concentrate on work or study. Starbucks staff explained that the move was to celebrate the millennium birth of the Toffee Nut Latte and to build momentum for Christmas activities, and had nothing to do with equity changes. The new playlist is expected to run until the 17th, with interactive karaoke sessions at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. during this period. [more…]

As the 2024 WBrC World Brewers Cup came to a close, curiosity was once again piqued about what judges feel inwardly when tasting coffee. A team from Italy's National Research Council has designed a tasting helmet that, through wearable sensors such as electrocardiogram, galvanic skin response, and electroencephalogram, transforms abstract emotions like pleasure and disgust during coffee tasting into biomedical data. This technology is expected to assist the SCA coffee value assessment system, reduce subjective bias, and open up new perspectives for coffee sensory analysis. At present, the helmet still needs refinement, and there are plans to work with professional tasters to advance its practical application. [more…]

Competition among coffee brands in packaging design is becoming increasingly fierce. Luckin Coffee has launched its Christmas series paper cups early this year, sparking widespread resonance with a set of simple yet thoughtful interactive designs. From the changing expressions hidden behind the cup sleeve to the clever placement of the logo for finger pressing, Luckin blends collectibility, small details, and little surprises into one, precisely capturing the emotional needs of young consumers. This article will analyze in detail the design highlights of this year's Christmas cups, look back at last year's "Hold onto Luck" idea, and explore why this kind of emotional design has quickly gone viral among office workers. [more…]