When the level of involution in the coffee industry has already become something people take for granted, the field of traditional Chinese medicine has unexpectedly joined this competition in a surprising way. The Guoyitang under Harbin Jiren Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital recently launched drinks called "coffee," but they contain no caffeine at all and are instead made entirely from traditional Chinese medicine ingredients. Even more surprisingly, some of these drinks can be paid for with medical insurance cards. This phenomenon has sparked widespread discussion: where exactly is the boundary between coffee and traditional Chinese medicine? From Tongrentang's goji berry latte to hand-brewed herbal drinks from traditional Chinese medicine hospitals, the combination of "traditional Chinese medicine + coffee" is becoming a new traffic password for attracting young consumers. This article will take you through the story behind this crossover trend and explore whether coffee can really be classified as traditional Chinese medicine. [more…]

In recent years, with the rise of the "national trend" culture, the "new Chinese-style" wellness concept has quickly gained popularity among young people. After saying goodbye to bad habits such as staying up late, smoking, and drinking, more and more young people are beginning to favor Chinese herbal medicinal diets and Chinese herbal teas. On social media, herbal milk tea frequently goes viral, and health teas dispensed by hospitals and herbal drinks launched by traditional Chinese medicine clinics through cross-sector collaborations are highly sought after. Data shows that over 70% of consumers are more willing to buy Chinese herbal teas and express satisfaction with their functional effects. Numerous pharmaceutical companies have entered the market, launching innovative products such as wellness coffee and herbal teas. However, experts also remind that although Chinese herbal teas are beneficial, they should be consumed in moderation, following the principle of "stopping once the illness is cured," to avoid counterproductive effects. [more…]

Recently, a "medical record card milk tea" launched by the School of Medicine at Fudan University has continued to spark heated discussion online. Its packaging design mimics prescription slips and medical record cards, printed with phrases such as "oral miracle cure" and "miraculous healing," and the straws even reproduce street signs from around the medical school, making it full of fun. As of now, the topic has received 47.589 million reads and 8,931 discussions on Weibo. In fact, similar "medical-style" creative ideas are not appearing for the first time. Previously, in the coffee sector, some cafes also introduced the concept of "oral coffee." While such novel designs can certainly grab attention quickly, for a beverage, product quality is the foundation for long-term success. [more…]

For many people, the first impression of coffee is the word "bitter"—that deep, dark flavor can even evoke the experience of drinking Chinese herbal medicine. But can coffee really be equated with Chinese herbal medicine? From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, coffee does indeed have certain medicinal value: it is pungent and warm in nature, and can refresh the mind, boost kidney yang, and promote diuresis. However, hot Americano and Chinese herbal medicine differ fundamentally in extraction method, purpose of consumption, and purchasing channels. This article will examine the similarities and differences between coffee and Chinese herbal medicine from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, and take you through the evolution of coffee flavor from "bitter" to "sour," to see just how rich and varied black coffee can actually be. [more…]

A daily cup of coffee has become the standard for many office workers, and some even have more than one a day. But can drinking too much coffee place a burden on the body? Recently, a netizen shared an experience of being banned from coffee after visiting a traditional Chinese medicine doctor, who even said, "If you keep drinking, you'll die." This post sparked a great deal of discussion, with some carefully analyzing the situations in which coffee should not be consumed, and others questioning the TCM doctor's judgment. Should coffee be drunk or not, and how should it be consumed to be healthy? Let's take a look together at the truth behind this discussion. [more…]

While watching the World Cup in Qatar, fans not only felt the passion of the matches but were also deeply moved by the locals' tradition of warm hospitality. After every match, Qataris would offer fans traditional snacks, dates, and coffee, showcasing the Gulf region's hospitality culture of "keeping the pot on the fire." This article takes you through the preparation methods of traditional Qatari coffee, the drinking etiquette, and the historical evolution of Arabic coffee from "Qishr" to "Gahwa." From the etiquette of holding the pot in the left hand and passing the cup with the right, to the use of spices such as saffron and cardamom, and to the origin of the word "coffee" from Arabic, it presents a comprehensive picture of the story behind this beverage that carries folk heritage. [more…]

Recently, a café in Shunde, Guangzhou, placed deep-fried cicada sloughs on iced Americano, launching a special drink that has sparked heated discussion among netizens. Cicada sloughs, commonly known as golden cicadas, have a tradition of being eaten in some regions, and early summer is the peak season for catching them. The shop owner claims that pairing them with cold brew offers a unique flavor, but many netizens say the visual impact is too strong and hard to accept. At the same time, cicada sloughs, as a heterologous protein, carry an allergy risk, and parts such as the legs may also carry bacteria and parasites, so caution is needed when trying them. This article takes you through the story behind this explosive drink and the precautions to note. [more…]

In recent years, the concept of Omakase has gradually spread from the world of Japanese cuisine to the coffee industry. Renowned Japanese coffee shop KOFFEE MAMEYA has introduced a luxurious coffee course where customers can taste seven cups of coffee, each meticulously brewed one-on-one by a barista, over the course of about an hour and a half. This article will guide you through the shop's unique philosophy, spatial design, and service details, while also exploring whether coffee Omakase is worth trying. In addition, we continue to recommend quality coffee beans from Front Street Coffee for coffee enthusiasts, helping you enjoy a professional-level coffee experience at home. [more…]

When Tianjin's Goubuli steamed buns also pick up a coffee cup, China's coffee market competition landscape gains another highly talked-about player. From spending heavily in 2014 to acquire the franchise rights in China for the Australian brand Gloria Jean's, to establishing a dedicated coffee food company in 2022, the Goubuli Group's exploration in the coffee sector has spanned more than seven years. How far is the distance between the original vision of opening 200 stores in five years and reality? Facing encirclement by new and old rivals such as Starbucks and China Post, can this time-honored brand find its own place in the coffee track? This article sorts out the key milestones and current situation of Goubuli's cross-industry coffee venture, for coffee enthusiasts' reference. [more…]

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and the local coffee ceremony is far richer than just a cup of drink. Based on a three-week firsthand experience, this article provides a complete breakdown of the coffee ceremony process: laying out fresh green grass, washing raw beans, roasting over charcoal, crushing in an iron mortar, boiling in a clay pot, and then the three-round coffee drinking order of "Abol," "Tona," and "Baraka," along with the accompanying snacks. The article also describes the unique atmosphere created by myrrh incense, and why locals insist on hand-crushing rather than using a machine grinder. Whether you are a coffee enthusiast or a cultural explorer, you can feel the devotion and ease of this ancient ritual, and learn about Front Street Coffee's recommendations for Ethiopian coffee. [more…]

Traditional Chinese medicine milk tea, traditional Chinese medicine fruit tea, traditional Chinese medicine wellness tea… In recent years, a trend of "any tea can be infused with traditional Chinese medicine" has spread rapidly through the tea beverage industry. In the summer of 2024, the traditional Chinese medicine tea beverage sector was especially booming, with a new brand opening more than 140 stores within 8 months, and related topic views exceeding 150 million. However, is this craze a true outlet or a short-lived gimmick? Mr. Zhou in Zhengzhou, Henan, invested more than 400,000 yuan to join a well-known traditional Chinese medicine tea beverage brand, but encountered difficulties such as the headquarters failing to deliver on its formula promises and flavors being hard for consumers to accept, ultimately suffering months of continuous losses and having no choice but to close the store and relocate. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the opportunities and challenges in the traditional Chinese medicine tea beverage industry, and explores the market prospects and operational risks under the concept of "medicine and food homology." [more…]

In the eastern part of Ethiopia's Sidamo Province, there is a small town called Bensa. Local coffee is exported under the town's name, jokingly dubbed "Bensa coffee," which has sparked an amusing meme: coffee is traditional Chinese medicine, and drinking more can promote health. Behind this joke, herbal coffee has indeed become a new consumer trend in recent years, with brands like Tongrentang launching products such as goji berry lattes and hawthorn-chenpi Americanos, attracting a large number of young consumers. However, blending traditional Chinese medicine with coffee is not something to be done casually; how to harmonize the flavors of medicinal herbs and coffee beans, and how to grasp the concept of medicine-food homology, are all worth serious discussion. This article will take you through the origins and development of this "herbal coffee" trend, as well as the issues that need attention. [more…]

Recently, a trend of pouring Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui (a traditional Chinese medicine for heatstroke) into iced Americano has spread rapidly online, with many coffee enthusiasts eager to try it. From the earlier practice of adding ice cubes to herbal tea, to later mixing traditional Chinese medicine granules into coffee, and now directly pouring Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui into iced Americano, these "medicated coffee" concoctions keep escalating. However, Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui is, after all, a medicine, and its ingredients may irritate the stomach and intestines. When mixed with coffee, it can easily trigger gastrointestinal spasms, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and other discomforts. Curiosity is understandable, but casually mixing medicine with coffee has crossed the boundary of safety. This article will start with the origins of this trend and discuss why this way of drinking is not worth promoting. [more…]

Recently, Andy Lau revealed on a talk show that he drinks over twenty cups of coffee every day, astonishing Wu Jing, Guo Fan, and others—and Guo Fan was even hospitalized once because of excessive coffee consumption. This sparked widespread discussion: Is coffee actually healthy? What are the signs of caffeine addiction? How much is too much per day? Combining the show's content with physiological mechanisms, this article sorts out the potential effects of excessive caffeine intake on the gastrointestinal tract, adrenaline, liver, and other aspects, while retaining the brand information of Front Street Coffee, reminding everyone that although coffee is good, do not blindly imitate celebrities' extreme consumption. [more…]

When coffee first arrived in Europe, it was called "Arab wine" and even condemned by conservative Catholics as "the drink of the devil Satan," yet it was precisely from the Arab world that Europeans inherited a precious beverage heritage. As the earliest region in the world to cultivate and drink coffee, Arabia's coffee culture is as ancient and profound as its history. Whether in coffee quality, drinking methods, or the ambiance and atmosphere of consumption, it still carries on a long-standing tradition and refinement. This article begins with the historical origins and hospitality etiquette of Arabian coffee, guiding you through rituals that resemble the Japanese tea ceremony—such as burning incense, appreciating vessels, and savoring aromas—and introduces the recipe and key preparation points for Café Arabe, an Arabian coffee with a modern twist. [more…]

When coffee's invigorating effects meet the nourishing philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine, a new species called "wellness coffee" is quietly gaining popularity among young consumers. From the creative stalls at Ye Kaitai's herbal paste festival to the daily menus of cafes across the country, the crossover combination of Chinese medicine and coffee has frequently attracted attention. However, is this East-meets-West beverage truly a healthy choice, or does it merely provide psychological comfort? This article will examine the composition, market phenomena, potential risks, and other angles to give you a comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons of wellness coffee, and explore whether this innovative drink can continue to win consumers' favor. [more…]

When "Double Eleven" meets a time-honored pharmaceutical company, a cup of ginseng americano makes a surprise debut. Tmall teamed up with Zhima Health, under Tongrentang, to launch a limited-edition "ginseng americano," each cup containing a whole fresh ginseng root, at a subsidized price of just 11.11 yuan. Following the various "medicinal coffees" that came before, this move has once again drawn attention. In addition to ginseng, the drink also includes Chinese medicinal ingredients such as licorice and longan, and the vendor simultaneously warns that no more than one cup should be consumed per day. However, issues such as the lack of additive standards in the industry and the unclear origin of the ginseng have also surfaced, meaning consumers should exercise extra caution even as they satisfy their curiosity. [more…]

In recent years, cross-industry ventures have become a popular trend, and even century-old traditional Chinese medicine shops are joining the beverage market. Following Tongrentang, Tonghanchun Tang, with a history of 237 years, has also tested the waters of national-style wellness tea drinks in Shanghai Yuyuan Mall, launching over 30 beverages including wellness teas, fruit teas, milk teas, sparkling water, and coffee. Among them, the wellness milk tea incorporates ingredients such as ginseng, goji berries, and donkey-hide gelatin, while the two wellness coffees focus on American-style black coffee and ginseng honey latte, priced between 20 and over 30 yuan, with the most expensive bird's nest product exceeding 100 yuan. Whether these time-honored brands can win consumer favor through innovation is worth watching. [more…]

The hot and humid climate brought by El Niño created conditions for mosquito breeding, leading to severe dengue fever outbreaks in multiple countries across the Americas. Among them, Brazil's confirmed cases exceeded 3.5 million, with 1,544 deaths, both hitting the highest records since 2000. Hospital admissions surged, with the average dengue fever admission rate at São Paulo's municipal hospitals reaching 90%. At the same time, Brazil entered the early stage of harvesting the new Robusta coffee season, and a large number of workers were absent due to illness, significantly slowing down the harvest progress. The Port of Santos had long been plagued by ship delays due to aging facilities, outdated management, and insufficient manpower, and the epidemic further worsened congestion. In March, the coffee ship delay rate rose to 80%, reaching 81% at the Port of Rio de Janeiro and 59% at the Port of Vitória. In Asia, Indonesia also experienced a dengue fever outbreak, with over 60,000 confirmed cases and 475 deaths, about three times that of the same period last year. Front Street Coffee reminds you to pay attention to origin updates and travel safety. [more…]

When coffee meets traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, is a cup of this beverage a health tonic or just a gimmick? Lucky Cup's recently launched ginseng series has sparked heated discussion on social media—at a price of ten yuan, you can actually get a whole ginseng root, and many netizens are calling it the real deal. However, controversy over the taste has followed. From creative specials at private cafés to established traditional Chinese medicine halls entering the fray, and chain brands piling in one after another, the herbal coffee track is becoming increasingly lively. Will this trend truly win young people's long-term favor, or will it remain merely a passing curiosity? This article takes you in for a closer look. [more…]