Last month, Qianjie shared with everyone the scoring system of cup testing, among which we briefly mentioned COE. In daily life, the word COE also often appears on the labels of some beans. This immediately aroused everyone's curiosity: What is COE? [more…]

There always is such a group of people who have obtained a code for self-reference due to the particularity of their profession. Even in the seemingly not vast field of coffee, there is also such a profession. After the concept of specialty coffee wa [more…]

The concept of specialty coffee has been in China for over thirty years, and has developed rapidly in the past decade. At the same time, people have also raised questions about the concept of specialty coffee. Pour-over is generally considered specialty coffee, so are Americano, espresso, and others also specialty coffee? In fact, in international coffee competitions, especially in Northern Europe, espresso [more…]

Previously, we talked about the coffee grading in Ethiopia. Today, let's take a look at what the coffee grading in Kenya is like! After all, when we see Kenyan coffee, we will see things like AA and AB. What exactly do these refer to? What is AA TOP? [more…]

Many friends make themselves an Americano when they get up in the morning! This is both because of the "effect" that an Americano provides and because it is very simple to make: just extract a shot of espresso, then add a certain amount of water and stir well, and a cup of Americano that both refreshes you and reduces swelling is ready. [more…]

We know that the grading method of coffee beans usually depends on the actual situation of the growing country, such as being divided according to the size of the coffee beans, like Kenyan coffee; being divided according to the altitude, like Blue Mo [more…]

What is the first step in brewing coffee? Grinding beans. In recent years, with the rise of the specialty coffee wave, more and more people have come to enjoy drinking coffee, and at the same time, more and more people hope to fully experience the beauty and leisure of drinking coffee, so they choose to buy coffee beans and brew them at home. And so at this point, a [more…]

Although there are a great many varieties of coffee beans, when coffee beans on the market are classified by species, they can be divided into three types: Arabica, Robusta, and the relatively rare Liberica. If the numerous coffee beans are further classified by region, [more…]

American coffee may seem simple, consisting only of espresso and water, yet it is precisely the drink that best tests a barista's extraction skills. This article begins with the definition and origins of American coffee, sorts out the two mainstream methods of Americano and Long Black, discusses the controversy over long-extraction weak coffee, and explains in detail the process for making hot and iced American coffee, the coffee-to-water ratio, and the effect of whether to remove the crema on flavor. The article also combines the Warm Sun blend from Front Street Coffee stores to provide specific extraction parameters and ratio references, helping coffee enthusiasts recreate a clean, balanced American coffee that retains the bean's true flavor in their daily brewing. [more…]

In a fast-paced life, instant coffee has regained the attention of coffee lovers thanks to its convenience and continuously improving quality. This article reviews ten instant coffee brands, including Nescafé, Maxwell House, Moccona, Colombian, G7, UCC, Klaes, Old Ipoh White Coffee, Ming Coffee, and Damnini, introducing each one by one from historical origins and raw material sources to flavor characteristics, helping readers build a basic understanding of instant coffee. At the same time, for the highly popular domestic freeze-dried instant coffee brands Saturnbird and Yongpu, the article also provides an objective description based on their product characteristics. Whether you are seeking a rich, mellow taste or a daily pick-me-up, this collection can provide valuable reference. What is shared is not only the flavor of coffee, but also a relaxed and pleasant drinking experience. [more…]

Before putting coffee beans into an espresso machine, the roast date is worth checking before the aroma words on the packaging. Freshly roasted beans are still rapidly releasing carbon dioxide, and after grinding, the coffee bed is easily disturbed by the gas, which also causes fluctuations in the espresso flow rate and crema condition. Allow an appropriate resting period, and then plan to finish a bag of beans during its peak flavor stage, usually [more…]

The aroma of medium-roast espresso beans doesn't fully unfold on the very day they're roasted. The beans are still steadily releasing carbon dioxide, and if you put them into the espresso machine too early, the puck is easily disturbed by the gas; the crema may look rich, but the cup can taste tight and disjointed, with a sweetness that doesn't come together coherently. Treating the roast date as the starting point for the flavor clock matters more than just watching the expiration date. [more…]

在手冲咖啡的实践中，一个常被讨论的细节是：外围的咖啡粉究竟要不要注水浸润？本文从闷蒸和正式萃取两个阶段出发，结合浅中深三种烘焙度的对比实验，分析注水范围对风味的影响。实验表明，闷蒸时是否打湿外围粉层，关键在于能否让所有咖啡粉在最短时间内均匀吸水排气。不绕外圈容易导致萃取速率不一致，浅中烘豆子易出现青涩味；而直接冲到外圈又可能造成中央排气受阻。文章还分享了摇杯、搅拌等实用技巧，帮助咖啡爱好者更均匀地萃取每一粒咖啡粉。 [more…]

Geisha, a coffee variety whose name sounds like the Japanese word for "entertainer," set out from the Geisha Mountains of southwestern Ethiopia, passed through Kenya, Tanzania, and Costa Rica, and finally made a spectacular debut in Panama. Over more than seventy years, it completed a comeback from obscurity to competition champion, winning first prize in the Panama Boquete Best of Panama cupping competition for three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007, and in 2007 it set a record for competition coffee value at $130 per pound. This article will comprehensively trace Geisha's legendary journey and systematically review common coffee cultivars—Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai, Pacamara, and others—to introduce you to the rich landscape of Arabica's genetic treasure trove. Front Street Coffee will also recommend Geisha products worth paying attention to in this article. [more…]

The roasting degree of coffee beans directly determines the flavor profile of the final cup. From the bright acidity of a light roast to the rich, bittersweet depth of a dark roast, each stage has its own unique temperature range, timing, and visual characteristics. This article systematically breaks down the complete process of coffee beans from light roast, medium roast, medium-dark roast to dark roast, and includes a detailed comparison table to help you understand the flavor changes and suitable applications of different roasting stages. Whether you are a beginner pour-over enthusiast or a seasoned player pursuing the ultimate flavor, this guide can provide you with practical reference. The article also specifically retains product recommendations from Front Street Coffee for your reference when making purchases. [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow our WeChat official account: Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee). As coffee gradually becomes a part of people's lives, many office workers probably want to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee during their busy work to recharge. So, drip bag coffee [more…]

The hand-press portable espresso machine, with its space-saving advantage, has become the top choice for many coffee lovers on the go. Combining a pump lid, hot water tank, and portafilter bottom lid, it can hold 18–22g of coffee grounds, be filled with 120–180ml of 94°C hot water, and freely adjust pressure within the 15–20bar range via a pressure regulating valve. This article starts with recommended bean varieties, detailing the flavor profiles of three beans: Front Street Classic Blend, Front Street Commercial Blend, and Front Street Strawberry Candy Espresso, then demonstrates step by step the complete process from loading grounds, adding water, to pressing and extracting, and finally uses 40ml of espresso with 200ml of hot milk to make a latte, testing the smoothness of the crema. [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow: Front Street Coffee (Frontsteet Coffee). With the development of the times, coffee has also continuously progressed. Having experienced two waves of coffee, although we are now in the third wave of specialty coffee, espresso remains important. Espresso [more…]

For coffee shops, the roast level directly affects aroma, strength, and how well the coffee is received once it's served. Whether you're making Americanos and lattes for takeaway, or focusing on pour-over and iced coffee, the beans that suit each style are not the same. When choosing beans for your shop, you can treat the roast level as a clear filtering criterion, then combine it with your equipment, menu structure, and your customers' usual drinking [more…]

Whether the aroma of coffee beans can cut through milk in a latte depends not only on the beans themselves but also on how many days have passed since roasting. Freshly roasted beans are still rapidly releasing carbon dioxide, which can cause uneven espresso flow and coarser foam; leave them too long, and the nutty, caramel, or fruity notes gradually fade. Catching that middle window of peak condition, [more…]