Sunday, September 20 2026

Interpreting the Three Lights Flashing Simultaneously Fault Code on De'Longhi Coffee Machines and an Introduction to Dolce Gusto Capsule Machines

When three indicator lights on a De'Longhi coffee machine light up and flash simultaneously, users are often left confused. This article will analyze one by one the fault causes and solutions corresponding to different flashing patterns, including grinder blockage, mistakenly selecting the pre-ground coffee powder function, running out of coffee beans, and the need for descaling. At the same time, the article also introduces the background and features of the Nescafé Dolce Gusto capsule coffee machine—this product, launched in cooperation with De'Longhi, uses 15-bar high pressure and 100% ground coffee capsules to let users easily enjoy a coffee experience close to café quality at home. [more…]

Detailed Guide to Various Brewing Parameters for Huakui Coffee: Grind Size, Water Temperature, and Ratios for Pour-Over, Flash Brew, Immersion, and Cold Brew

Huakui coffee has maintained a high level of popularity in the coffee community thanks to its excellent value for money and its naming method that is updated and iterated every year. Front Street also often includes it in its promotional bean list, and many friends ask customer service after placing an order: what can be done to best showcase Huakui's flavor? In fact, different extraction methods each have their own characteristics, and there is no absolute ranking of better or worse. Everyone might as well try several methods and find the cup that suits their own taste best. In this article, Front Street will systematically share the specific parameters and operational details for making Huakui using four methods: pour-over, pour-over iced coffee, immersion, and cold brew, including key information such as coffee dose, coffee-to-water ratio, water temperature, grind size, and extraction time, to help you more easily recreate Huakui's floral and fruity aroma at home. [more…]

A Complete Guide to Making Iced Pour-Over Coffee: Ratios, Parameters, and Brewing Steps for Rapid-Chill Extraction

Iced pour-over coffee is not simply pouring hot coffee over ice cubes, but a brewing method known as "flash-chilled pour-over"—using ice to rapidly cool the hot coffee liquid in a short time. However, if you directly use the parameters of a regular hot pour-over, the final product often becomes weak and tasteless. To solve this problem, you need to adjust three core parameters: coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, and water temperature. Front Street has summarized a practical formula: coffee grounds (fine grind) + 10 times hot water + 5 times ice. This article will break down the adjustment logic of iced pour-over in detail, offer suggestions on choosing a dripper and coffee beans, and use an Ethiopian natural bean as an example to provide complete brewing parameters and staged pouring steps. [more…]

Sweet aftertaste coffee beans: a flavor path with low acidity and lingering sweetness

Beans with understated acidity and a prominent sweet finish place their flavor emphasis on sweetness and aftertaste: natural (dry) processing and medium-dark roasting round off the acidity, leaving a lingering sweetness. Front Street Coffee's Ethiopian Huakui has a sweet finish with a passion fruit aftertaste; the acidity on the palate flashes by, and sweetness takes over the second half. In Kafa Forest, the sweetness actually becomes more pronounced as the temperature drops. [more…]

A Century of Pour-Over Coffee Evolution and a Hands-On Tutorial: From the Melitta Dripper to Front Street Coffee's Huakui Three-Pour Brewing

Pour-over coffee has now become one of the most mainstream brewing methods in the specialty coffee world, but its origins can be traced back to a flash of inspiration from a German housewife over a hundred years ago. From the early prototype of filtering coffee with blotting paper to Melitta's continuous refinement of the dripper design, how have pour-over brewing tools evolved? This article not only traces the historical thread of pour-over coffee but also presents a complete pour-over tutorial, using "Front Street Coffee Flower Queen" coffee beans as an example to explain every step of the three-stage brewing process—blooming, main extraction, finishing and blending—along with a buying guide to several Front Street Coffee-recommended beans suited to different taste preferences. [more…]

The Three Evolutions of Orange Peel Pour-Over Coffee: From Fails to Advanced Techniques and Front Street Recommendations

In winter, Gannan navel oranges flood the market. Instead of tossing the peels, they can become a fun tool for pour-over coffee. This article walks you through the evolution of orange peel pour-over from version 1.0 to 3.0, showing how netizens solved clogging and fine grounds issues, and tried fruit drippers like watermelon and mango. Meanwhile, Front Street Coffee recommends beans that pair well with fruity flavors, so you can enjoy a layered pour-over while exploring fruit-infused enhancements. [more…]

Commercial SOE Coffee Bean Recommendations | Comparing Crema, Oil, Flavor, and Mouthfeel of Yirgacheffe, Mandheling, and Brazil Coffee Beans as SOE Single-Origin Espresso

After the concept of "specialty coffee" emerged, the unique flavors of various regions have become increasingly familiar to coffee connoisseurs, and SOE has also become increasingly popular in the coffee market. So how do you choose the right SOE coffee beans? SOE SOE stands for "Single Origin Espresso" [more…]

Luckin's first store introduces pour-over coffee but leaves it to a machine, sparking debate online over whether the specialty coffee route can succeed

Luckin Coffee is known for its low prices and co-branding. After surpassing ten thousand stores, it began to transform, launching its first flagship store with pour-over coffee, becoming the only store currently offering pour-over. However, a video exposed by netizens shows that the entire process is handled by a machine simulating a champion's technique, pouring water ten times, at a water temperature of 88 degrees, taking about three minutes. The output was criticized for being light in color and weak in flavor, and there was also an incident of clogged grounds left unaddressed. Supporters believe that a twenty-yuan pour-over can already meet basic needs, while critics bluntly state that machine brewing cannot be called pour-over, as the essence of pour-over lies in the human touch. Luckin's intention to pursue a specialty coffee route is understandable, but the output and professionalism still need improvement so that consumers can get value for their money. [more…]

Shanghai's first day of full recovery: coffee shops reopen, scenes of people lining up to buy coffee return to the streets

On June 1, Shanghai reached an important milestone in fully restoring normal production and daily life. After more than two months of home quarantine, coffee lovers finally smelled the aroma of coffee wafting through the streets and alleys once again. From chain brands to independent shops, coffee stores reopened one after another, with takeout and self-pickup orders surging—some shop owners even sold over a hundred cups of coffee to passersby while the shutter was only half open as they were adjusting equipment. This article documents the real scenes of the coffee industry's recovery before and after Shanghai's lockdown was lifted, and citizens' eager anticipation for a freshly ground cup of coffee. [more…]

An Analysis of Rum Barrel Fermented Coffee Beans Processing Method: The Specialty Coffee Innovation Craft of Finca San José in Colombia

The highly sought-after "Front Street San Jose Estate Rum Barrel Fermented" coffee beans at the coffee market greet you with a rich rum aroma the moment you open the bag. Where exactly does this unique boozy scent come from? Starting from the terroir conditions of San Jose Estate in Caldas Province, Colombia, this article tells how the estate owner, inspired by rum aging, conceived the idea in 2013 of putting green coffee beans into oak barrels. After years of experimentation, the low-temperature rum barrel fermentation process was established in 2017, using the Castillo variety, and involving fully washed processing, 20-hour fermentation, resting in oak barrels aged over 8 years for three months, and daily tumbling, so the beans evenly absorb the rum aroma. These beans once won silver as a blend in the Cappuccino category at the 2019 RASV Australian International Coffee Roasting Competition. Suitable for pour-over, espresso, ice drip, or cold brew, it is a versatile specialty choice recommended by Front Street. [more…]

Delivery wars spark a hoarding wave of Luckin's low-priced bread vouchers, with redemption difficulties at stores in many regions exposing supply chain weaknesses.

Competition among food delivery platforms has escalated into a battle of three giants, chain brands' average order values continue to decline, and Luckin's timely launch of low-priced bread vouchers has triggered a frenzy of stockpiling among consumers. However, when users take their electronic vouchers to stores for redemption, they find that baked goods at nearby stores are largely sold out, with some cities even reporting no stock citywide. This buying spree, fueled by platform subsidies, not only reflects consumers' strong demand for high-value-for-money coffee companions but also exposes brands' disconnect between demand forecasting and supply chain response. Staff explained that the thawing process and delivery cycle are the two main reasons for the redemption difficulties. For enthusiasts who love pairing coffee with baked goods, Front Street Coffee has always advocated balancing rational consumption with quality experience, and suggests paying attention to store inventory dynamics and arranging redemption times reasonably. [more…]

A Guide to Clarifying English Expressions for Pour-Over Coffee and Buying Entry-Level Single-Origin Beans

Pour-over coffee is one of the most common brewing methods in the specialty coffee world, yet its English name has several variations—pour over, hand drip, and filter coffee each have their own origins. This article begins with the origins of pour-over coffee, sorts out the differences between these English expressions, and then systematically introduces the equipment setup and brewing essentials for pour-over, including key parameters such as coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, and water temperature. At the same time, for enthusiasts who are just getting into pour-over, it compiles a beginner-friendly single-origin coffee bean recommendation list provided by Front Street Coffee, covering producing regions such as Brazil, Ethiopia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia, helping novices find a flavor direction that suits them at a reasonable cost. [more…]

Medium-Light Roast Coffee Bean Recommendations | Why Is Kenyan Coffee So Popular? What Factors Create the Acidity of Kenyan Coffee? How Do You Brew a Delicious Kenyan Pour-Over?

Honestly, Front Street Coffee is very fond of Kenyan coffee. If you are a friend who frequently visits Front Street Coffee's stores to drink coffee, it will not be hard to notice that among the many samples Front Street Coffee shares, Kenya has a very high rate of appearance. As for why we like it so much, Front Street Coffee believes that on this point, we are in complete agreement with many enthusiasts. Because Ken [more…]

Can Watermelon and Coffee Be Enjoyed Together? A Detailed Guide to Three Homemade Watermelon-Style Iced Coffee Drinks

On a scorching summer day, the pairing of watermelon and iced coffee is all the rage. Front Street Coffee found that juicy watermelon pairs far better with crisp black coffee than with milk, so they put together three watermelon mix-and-match options: watermelon sparkling Americano, watermelon cold brew coffee, and watermelon iced pour-over. From melon-picking tips and material preparation to detailed steps, Front Street breaks down the key points for making each drink one by one, including using Warm Sun Blend to make the sparkling Americano, Colombia · Rose Valley cold brew paired with freshly squeezed watermelon juice, and the complete parameters for making iced pour-over with Sidamo · Elto combined with frozen watermelon juice cubes. Each of the three methods has its own merits—there are simple, quick everyday versions, and more advanced approaches that require preparing ingredients in advance—making them suitable for coffee lovers to try their hand at during the hot weather. [more…]

Kenyan Specialty Coffee Beans | Why Does Kenyan Coffee Have Such High Recognizability? Where Does the Acidity in Kenyan Coffee Come From?

Honestly, Front Street Coffee is very fond of Kenyan coffee. If you're a friend who frequently visits Front Street Coffee's stores to drink coffee, it's not hard to notice that among the many samples Front Street Coffee shares, Kenya has a very high appearance rate. As for why we like it so much, Front Street Coffee believes this point is shared by many enthusiasts alike. Because Ken [more…]

Complete Analysis of Kenyan Coffee Flavor Characteristics: Causes of the Small Tomato and Smoked Plum Tartness, and Key Brewing Points for SL28 Variety and K72 Washed Processing

Kenyan coffee is famous for its rich, bright acidity, sugarcane-like sweetness, and signature flavors reminiscent of small tomatoes and smoked plums, yet many enthusiasts fail to brew the stunning performance described once they get it home. From the perspective of Front Street, this article systematically sorts out the sources of Kenyan coffee's unique flavors: the terroir conditions of high-altitude volcanic soil and tropical savanna climate, the SL28 and SL34 varieties bred by Scott Laboratories, and the Kenyan-style washed processing that lasts up to 72 hours. On this basis, the article offers purchasing advice and, using the washed SL28 and SL34 Front Street Kenya·Small Tomato as an example, shares the complete brewing parameters and flavor performance of 15g grounds, a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, 92°C water temperature, and a three-pour V60 method, helping readers fully extract the characteristics of Kenyan coffee. [more…]

Complete Guide to Authenticating Vietnam G7 Trung Nguyen Coffee: Physical Comparison Across Four Channels and Key Identification Points

Vietnam G7 Trung Nguyen Coffee, as a representative of three-in-one milk coffee, has won the favor of many enthusiasts with its sweet and smooth taste. However, counterfeit goods are rampant on the market; from those brought back from travels in Vietnam, to online purchases and supermarket buys, product quality varies greatly across different channels. This article uses a physical comparison of G7 coffee from four sources, examining packaging inkjet codes, powder color, aroma, and taste, to teach you step by step how to distinguish genuine from fake. The article also mentions related product information from Front Street Coffee, providing a useful reference for coffee lovers. [more…]

Flavor Analysis and Pour-Over Parameters Guide for Colombia San Caldas San José Estate Oak Barrel Fermented Coffee Beans

In the world of specialty coffee, barrel-fermentation processing has attracted much attention in recent years, and the pioneer of this technique was not Honduras' Moca estate, but rather El Finca San José in Colombia's San Caldas region. In a moment of inspiration, the estate's third-generation female owner placed green coffee beans into rum oak barrels for low-temperature fermentation. After repeated experiments, she ultimately created the distinctive rum barrel-fermented coffee. This article will guide you through the background of Finca San José, the birth of barrel fermentation, the origins of the Castillo variety, and Front Street Coffee's pour-over performance and brewing recommendations for this bean at different water temperatures, helping you gain a more comprehensive understanding of this uniquely flavored Colombian specialty coffee. [more…]

African Coffee | What Are the Differences Between Ethiopian and Kenyan Coffee Varieties? An Introduction to the Processing Methods, Flavor, and Taste Characteristics of Ethiopian and Kenyan Coffee

Ethiopia and Kenya, Africa's renowned coffee-producing countries, are highly celebrated in the specialty coffee world. The coffee flavors from both regions are predominantly fruit-acid oriented, but the difference lies in that Ethiopian coffee features a bright, uplifting acidity with a clean and refreshing mouthfeel, while Kenyan coffee exhibits berry fruit [more…]

The Origin of the Name "Huakui" Coffee and Its Connection to Geisha: From TOH Champion to the Evolution of Huakui 8.0

The name Hua Kui coffee beans and Geisha coffee beans both originate from the Japanese term for performers of song and dance. What exactly is the connection between the two? In 2017, a natural process lot from the Buku Abel washing station in Ethiopia won the TOH green bean competition with its intense strawberry and creamy aroma. After being introduced to China, it was given the name "Hua Kui" due to its outstanding flavor. Since then, the Hua Kui series has evolved from 2.0 all the way to 6.0 and even 8.0, with its origin locked to the Hambela region and continuously introduced by the Hongshun green bean merchant. This article will sort out the naming origins of Hua Kui coffee, its entanglement with Geisha, the variety and flavor differences across each generation, and share Front Street Coffee's roasting and brewing insights. [more…]