Recently, a Weibo post about a Luckin Coffee store in Hangzhou where an employee and a customer threw coffee at each other has sparked widespread discussion. According to the blogger, the dispute seemingly began when a customer, dissatisfied with the drink preparation, demanded an apology, and after emotions escalated, both parties resorted to throwing coffee. Although there is no complete video of the incident, it reflects the tension between service standards and customer expectations at chain coffee brands. Luckin employees revealed that the company does not have a mandatory "remake if unsatisfied" policy, but when faced with requests such as taste dissatisfaction, staff often find themselves in a dilemma: refusing may lead to negative reviews and complaints, while yielding may encourage unreasonable demands. The strict internal feedback and assessment mechanism further multiplies the pressure on frontline employees. This article will reconstruct the sequence of events and explore how to balance service standards and employee circumstances in the coffee industry. [more…]

Recently, a violent conflict between a customer and an employee broke out at a store of the local Malaysian coffee chain Zus Coffee in Kuala Lumpur. A video of about 15 seconds spread rapidly online, showing both sides throwing drinks and objects at each other, with the scene briefly spiraling out of control. The incident sparked various speculations among netizens about the cause of the conflict and also triggered discussions about how brands should protect frontline employees. After the incident, Zus Coffee issued two consecutive statements denying that the employee involved had been fired and saying it had referred the matter to the police. This article will sort through the course of the incident, the reactions of all parties, and the brand's official response. [more…]

As 2023 draws to a close, it's worth looking back and counting just how many cups of coffee and milk tea you drank this year—there's a simple, blunt way to do it: see how many drink packaging bags you've stockpiled at home. Some of these bags are nicely designed, some are sturdy and durable; throwing them away feels wasteful, but keeping them takes up space, and the more they pile up, the more they become a burden. So netizens have come up with creative ideas, transforming packaging bags into storage boxes, tissue covers, commuter bags, and even journals; now that winter has arrived, they've unlocked a new skill—using coffee paper bags to make handlebar covers for electric bikes, which are windproof and save money, and can be upgraded into thermal bags for waterproof warmth. This article compiles these practical DIY ideas and includes related recommendations from Front Street Coffee to help you turn "junk" into little joys in life. [more…]

When you buy too many coffee beans to finish, or when brewing is delayed due to illness or other reasons, the beans can easily become stale or even expire. Many people's first reaction is to simply throw them away, but that is actually very wasteful. This article examines whether stale and expired coffee beans can still be consumed, from the perspectives of both flavor changes and food safety, and compiles a set of practical reuse methods: from using them as practice beans for pour-over, siphon, and espresso, to wiping copperware, cleaning stovetops, and caring for skin, and even deodorizing ashtrays, ovens, and pet areas. The article also draws on Front Street Coffee's experience to provide reference criteria for judging the flavor window and storage conditions, helping you handle the "old beans" at home more rationally. [more…]

For office workers who can't get through the day without coffee, drip bags are a compromise that balances convenience and flavor. But many people are puzzled the first time they encounter a drip bag: can you just throw it into hot water and steep it? The answer is no. Although drip coffee is simple to make, getting a delicious cup still requires following a few basic rules—don't steep it directly, don't reuse the bag, and don't pour the grounds out to brew. This article will cover the definition of drip coffee, its similarities and differences with pour-over, the standard brewing process, control of water temperature and coffee-to-water ratio, and the effect of freshness on flavor, explaining each in turn to help you get a consistently delicious cup of filtered coffee in the simplest way possible. [more…]

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, and the amount of spent coffee grounds it produces is staggering. Many people simply throw away the grounds after brewing, but these seemingly useless remnants actually hold a great deal of overlooked value. From deodorizing the fridge and removing odors from your hands, to hair care, natural dyeing, repelling ants, and fertilizing plants, coffee grounds can be put to use in household cleaning, personal care, gardening, and even cooking. This article compiles 20 practical and interesting uses for coffee, helping you get the most out of it before you throw it away. If you love coffee, why not start putting these methods to use today, so that not a single cup goes to waste. [more…]

Recently, a customer in Guizhou, unable to find the store for a self-pickup order, demanded delivery instead. When refused, they went to the shop and poured coffee over the bar counter. The incident, reported by multiple media outlets, sparked widespread discussion. The barista, working alone, could not leave the store to deliver, while the customer vented frustration through harassing phone calls and pouring coffee. Netizens generally agreed the barista's actions were understandable and the customer's behavior was excessive. The shop involved did not call the police, and employees cleaned up themselves. Front Street Coffee reminds that self-pickup orders can be handled via errand services, and only civilized communication can resolve conflicts. [more…]

Recently, a conflict between a customer and an employee occurred at a Manner store in Fuzhou, and related videos sparked widespread discussion online. In the footage, a customer repeatedly threw cups, labels, and other items from the counter into the preparation area, appearing highly emotional, while only one employee was on duty in the store. The store later responded that the incident began when a staff member reminded the customer after the coffee was made incorrectly, which may have upset the customer. The incident not only brought Manner's long-criticized "one-person shift" problem back into the spotlight, but also led many regular customers to complain about excessively long wait times. Front Street Coffee follows industry developments, and this article sorts through the course of the incident and the responses from various parties. [more…]

Bought too much and can't finish it, or delayed by unexpected matters—before you know it, your coffee beans have passed their peak flavor period. When faced with stale beans, what details should you pay attention to during brewing? And if they've already passed their expiration date, how should you handle them? This article first shares grinding and blooming adjustment methods for stale coffee beans, helping you improve the output as much as possible despite flavor loss; then it organizes three practical and eco-friendly recycling approaches, including deodorizing, cleaning, and using as plant fertilizer, so that expired coffee beans can continue to provide value in daily life. The article also retains relevant suggestions and product information from the Front Street brand for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

After collaborating with actor Daniel Wu to promote coffee products in late June, Guming Tea recently rolled out packaging bags featuring his image at stores nationwide, which unexpectedly sparked widespread dissatisfaction among consumers. Many customers complained on social media that the bag design was "not aesthetically pleasing" and that the celebrity's portrait was too large, saying carrying it felt like "health supplements for middle-aged and elderly people" or "soaking goji berries," and some even said they wanted to throw it away as soon as they received it. Some netizens argued that although Daniel Wu has high national recognition, he is no longer young and does not fit the positioning of a youthful tea beverage brand; others pointed out that the brand should consider scenarios for secondary use of the packaging. On September 23, Guming staff responded that they had not received related complaints, but would record opinions on the design and spokesperson and pass them on for evaluation. The incident reflects the tension between co-branded packaging and the aesthetics of young consumers. [more…]

The second Starbucks and Disney collaboration is set to launch on January 15, featuring Mickey and Minnie as the campaign's main characters. In addition to regular merchandise such as mugs and plush toys, the official lineup also includes red envelopes printed with the brand logo, omamori charms, and wooden divination blocks (bwa bwei), sparking lively discussion among netizens. The appearance of bwa bwei, a common divination tool in the Fujian and Guangdong regions, in a coffee brand collaboration has left many people exclaiming over the surprising combination. This article will walk you through the specific merchandise of this collaboration, the cultural background of bwa bwei, and the amusing reactions from netizens. At the same time, Front Street Coffee will continue to follow the brand strategy behind this cross-industry attempt. [more…]

Starbucks has been embroiled in a series of controversies recently. First, its Ciqikou store in Chongqing was reported to have driven away police officers who were eating outside the store, triggering a strong public backlash. Subsequently, some citizens went to the store in question to deliver white flowers and throw eggs, and the Dianping review section was flooded with negative reviews. Before the incident had even subsided, Starbucks China quietly raised the prices of some beverages and food items, with products such as Americano and latte increasing by 1 to 2 yuan. The brand's customer service said the move was an adjustment made after a comprehensive assessment of operating costs. Under the dual pressure of public opinion and operating costs, whether Starbucks can continue to win consumers' hearts is worth watching. [more…]

On the eve of Halloween, Heytea launched a limited-edition special drink, the "Dark Slimming Bottle," as a new member of its Super Plant Tea series. This beverage uses freshly squeezed kale and celery as its base, blends in a variety of fruit and vegetable juices, and adds a generous amount of fresh cilantro segments, emphasizing a dark visual style. Cilantro lovers reported that the cilantro flavor was not prominent after drinking it, because the whole cilantro segments were not chopped and juiced, serving only as decoration, and it was jokingly called "cilantro bathwater." However, this new product made store employees complain endlessly — the cumbersome process of washing cilantro and trimming celery, plus the strong smell, led many workers to say outright that they "feel like throwing up just from smelling it," with complaints mounting on social platforms. [more…]

Drip bag coffee, with its convenient brewing method, allows many coffee lovers to enjoy a cup of pour-over-style coffee anytime. All you need is hot water and a cup to easily get a refreshing drink. However, in practice, many people encounter questions: Can you just throw the drip bag directly into hot water to steep? How many times can one drip bag be reused? And how do you make iced drip coffee? This article will address these common questions one by one and introduce drip bag options with different flavors, including Front Street brand products such as Mandheling, Yirgacheffe, and Brazil Cerrado, helping you brew a good cup of coffee at home. [more…]

Starbucks has recently been caught in successive public opinion storms due to driving away on-duty police officers and product price increases, with some consumers even expressing their dissatisfaction by sending white flowers and throwing eggs. Just at this time, several Mixue Bingcheng stores in Yinchuan, Ningxia, hung banners welcoming on-duty police officers to rest inside, which was seen by the outside world as opportunistic marketing. Although this move won praise from some netizens, who said it showed great vision and relied entirely on the contrast with peers, it also attracted criticism for malicious marketing and suspicion of being a publicity stunt. Subsequently, the market manager, worried about triggering guided public opinion, notified the stores to take down the banners. Mixue Bingcheng has always used simple and direct marketing methods, from catchy songs to donations and now to this banner response, with an obvious intention to ride hot topics. [more…]

When coffee stocks run low, coffee lovers start finding every possible way to cherish each gram of coffee beans. From reducing the dose and widening the water-to-coffee ratio, to rinsing and reusing filter paper, even a single coffee bean gets a careful brewing. Drip bags, capsule shells, and cold brew containers have all been given new uses. This article rounds up these both hilarious and ingenious "use every last bit" tricks, while keeping the professional coffee knowledge intact, to show you just how far coffee people will go for one more cup. [more…]

Recently, a social media post in which a user brewed drip coffee using a face mask instead of filter paper sparked heated discussion. In the photo, the mask was hung over the rim of the cup to serve as a filtering tool, and the caption claimed it had a "unique taste." This move quickly drew a flood of criticism and concern. Some questioned whether the mask's water-resistant layer and adhesive layer might release toxic substances, while others joked that this was an attempt to compete with "Lianhua Qingwen coffee." In fact, this practice stemmed from a "clever trick" some netizens came up with to avoid wasting expired masks, but medical experts point out that the non-woven fabric in the inner layer of masks is made of polypropylene (PP), and although the amount of harmful substances released when heated is trace, it is still not recommended for contact with food. Front Street Coffee reminds everyone that coffee filter paper costs about the same as a mask, and choosing standard filter paper is the safe and reliable way to brew coffee. [more…]

You might use an AeroPress every day, yet you may not know the legendary inventor behind it. Alan Adler, a crossover player who went from electronics engineer to founder of a toy brand, came out of retirement dissatisfied with the coffee gear on the market and spent twelve years refining this神器 that changed the coffee world. This article will give a complete run-through of the AeroPress's origin story, the detailed brewing steps of the official standard method, and the various ways players have developed, such as the inverted method, while also comparing the different orientations of the AeroPress and pour-over coffee in the cup. If you are looking for a device that combines convenience and playability, Front Street Coffee also often recommends the AeroPress as a choice for both beginners and advanced users. [more…]

Drip bag coffee looks simple, but if you just drop the filter bag into water, or steep it together with the paper card, all you will get is a cup of weak, flavorless brown liquid. To brew a delicious cup of pour-over drip bag Americano-style black coffee, water temperature, coffee-to-water ratio, and pouring rhythm are all indispensable. Starting from the actual brewing steps, this article explains how to use hot water at 88 to 93 degrees Celsius and a ratio of 1:15 to 1:17, pouring 150 to 170 grams of water in stages, so that the flavors of the drip bag are fully released. It also discusses how the freshness of the coffee grounds affects the taste, and introduces several Front Street Coffee specialty drip bags from different origins, covering styles such as floral and fruity aromas, nutty sweetness, and rich spice notes, helping coffee lovers find the one that suits their taste. [more…]

Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style) For more specialty coffee beans, please add the private WeChat of Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex Hushang Auntie, a fresh fruit tea brand with 5,000 stores, recently posted ten consecutive "I don't want to work anymore" themed posters on its official Weibo. From frontline employees to management, from operations to design to customer service planning, various departments expressed their "throwing in the towel" sentiments, sparking heated discussion among netizens. Was this wave of operations a collective slacking off, or was there something else behind it? On November 11, the mystery was revealed—it turned out to be hype for the new product "Freshly Stewed Pear Series." This article will take you through the whole story of this suspense marketing campaign and explore how tea beverage brands can leverage young people's popular memes to get closer to consumers. [more…]