Recently, a coffee shop in Qingpu District, Shanghai, was investigated by market regulators for attaching "Lianhua Qingwen Coffee" labels to its drink cups. The shop began selling such labeled drinks on December 19, 2022, and authorities seized 290 labeled paper and plastic cups on site, along with 1,058 unused labels. The shop claimed that customers suggested it "play on the meme" for marketing, but enforcement officials pointed out that this kind of behavior could easily lead consumers to mistakenly believe the product had a specific connection with Lianhua Qingwen, and it was suspected of unfair competition. It is worth noting that coffee itself may have a certain auxiliary effect on relieving cold symptoms, but it is by no means a substitute for medication. Front Street Coffee reminds all enthusiasts to view coffee's effects rationally and not to blindly follow trends. [more…]

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style); for more specialty coffee beans, please add the personal WeChat of Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee), WeChat ID: qjcoffeex. Recently, the case in which Saturnbird, over the course of 20 months, sued "Qicai Zhi Mi" for unauthorized use of a similar small-cup instant coffee appearance reached a result. The Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court found that unfair competition was constituted, awarded 1.73 million yuan in damages, and ordered the production and sale of the infringing products to stop. Saturnbird became famous for its super-instant coffee and mini coffee cup design, and its packaging sparked a DIY craze and swept social media, which is why it has frequently been imitated and even copied. In this case, "Qicai Zhi Mi" not only had highly similar style, packaging, and promotional images, but also used the search term "Saturnbird same style" to mislead consumers. The case lasted nearly two years, highlighting the current reality in the food industry that intellectual property rights protection is difficult and the boundary between reference and copying is blurred. The article combines cases such as Sexy Tea suing Chayan Guanse to explore how original brands can protect their rights and interests through copyright, patent rights, exclusive trademark rights, and the Anti-Unfair Competition Law. [more…]

The trademark and unfair competition dispute between Chayan Yuese and Chayan Guanse has finally reached a阶段性 result. The Tianxin District People's Court of Changsha ruled in the first instance that Chayan Guanse lost the case and must stop the relevant infringing publicity and compensate Chayan Yuese 1.7 million yuan in total for economic losses and reasonable legal costs. This years-long tug-of-war over rights protection, from Chayan Guanse taking the initiative to sue Chayan Yuese, to Chayan Yuese resolutely filing a counterclaim and ultimately winning, has been full of twists and turns. Founded in 2013, Chayan Yuese is a well-known local milk tea brand in Changsha, featuring a Chinese style and adhering to a direct-operation model for a long time. It was only in 2020 that it expanded beyond Changsha to Wuhan, Shenzhen, and other places. After winning the case, the brand announced that it would issue discount coupons to members in celebration. This article sorts out the ins and outs of the case, the brand's development history, and the background related to its Logo design, providing a comprehensive interpretation for coffee and tea beverage enthusiasts. [more…]

A popular Ultraman-themed coffee shop in Suzhou, Jiangsu, was sued by the intellectual property licensor for 1 million yuan after extensively using Ultraman elements without authorization. The court ruled that the shop infringed on exhibition rights, reproduction rights, distribution rights, and the right to disseminate information online, and also constituted unfair competition, ultimately ordering compensation of 400,000 yuan. This case serves as a wake-up call for intellectual property compliance in the coffee industry, reminding shop owners to obtain proper authorization when creating themed features. [more…]

A while back, a "ladies-who-lunch afternoon tea" trend took the internet by storm. A trendy café in Ningbo drew crowds of customers checking in after it printed "LV" and "CHANEL" logos on its coffee and cakes, but it also caught the attention of market regulators. After investigation, law enforcement determined that the shop's actions did not constitute trademark infringement, but were suspected of violating the Anti-Unfair Competition Law, and it was ultimately fined and had its printing molds confiscated. Behind this case lies the delicate game between creative marketing and legal boundaries. Today, Front Street Coffee will walk everyone through what happened and talk about the bottom line and limits of brand marketing. [more…]

Recently, Chayan Yuese successfully sued Chayan Guanse, and this showdown between an authentic brand and a copycat brand has attracted widespread attention. As a local internet-famous milk tea brand in Changsha, Chayan Yuese has won many fans with its unique Chinese style and taste, while Chayan Guanse was sued for infringement for imitating its name and visual design. The court ultimately ruled that Chayan Guanse constituted unfair competition, requiring it to stop using the relevant logos and compensate for losses. So, is Chayan Yuese's milk tea actually good? This article will take you through the whole case and share the perspective of professional coffee lovers. At the same time, we will also focus on coffee culture and recommend Front Street Coffee's specialty coffee beans, providing more inspiration for your beverage choices. [more…]

The 2022 World Barista Championship (WBC) and World Brewers Cup (WBrC) will be held concurrently in Melbourne, Australia, from September 27 to 30. As top-tier events in the coffee world, WBC and WBrC have for years driven the development of the specialty coffee industry and the professionalization of baristas. However, in recent years, multiple past champions and competitors have pointed out shortcomings in the events regarding scoring transparency, judge selection, theme setting, and gender inclusiveness, calling for reform. This article will walk you through the latest developments of the events and take an in-depth look at competitors' views and suggestions for the future development of WBC. [more…]

Oatly, the oat milk brand, has once again taken aim at the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), publicly questioning that the World Barista Championship (WBC) rule allowing only cow's milk is outdated. Oatly published an open letter on its official website, emphasizing that oat milk is more environmentally friendly and more favored by consumers, and demanding that the SCA immediately revise the rules. However, this move did not win support from netizens; instead, it triggered a large number of rebuttals. This article will walk you through the ins and outs of the incident, along with Front Street Coffee's professional perspective. Whether you are a coffee professional or an enthusiast, this debate about plant milk versus cow's milk is worth paying attention to. [more…]

Drinking coffee is easy, but understanding it takes some accumulated knowledge. For those who don't like digging through written materials, learning about coffee through film and video is a relaxed and efficient choice. Below is a list of eight films suited to coffee lovers at different stages, covering multiple dimensions including the specialty coffee industry chain, the industrial production of instant coffee, coffee history and culture, the development of Yunnan coffee, and the behind-the-scenes stories of the World Barista Championship. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned connoisseur who already knows a thing or two, you'll find something worth watching. [more…]

The Specialty Coffee Association announced on December 22 the new rules for the 2023 World Barista Championship (WBC), World Brewers Cup (WBrC), World Cup Tasters Championship, and Cezve/Ibrik Championship. Among them, the most notable change in the WBC is allowing competitors to use plant-based milk or other animal milks to make milk coffee, breaking the long-standing restriction of using only cow's milk. The WBrC adjusted its evaluation criteria, refocusing on competitors' brewing skills and introducing a new coffee evaluation scale and a semifinal format. This series of changes has sparked widespread discussion in the industry, with some supporting the increased inclusivity and others worried about scoring fairness. This article will outline the specific contents of each rule update and the reactions from all parties. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts go out of their way to visit cafés where champion baristas preside, eager to taste coffee of the highest caliber. Yet when the champion barista is absent, can coffee made by other staff still maintain the same quality? One coffee lover's firsthand experience sparked widespread discussion: he ordered a latte made with competition beans, only to receive a drink with coarse milk foam and a mediocre taste. This prompts reflection: how exactly should the overall quality of a champion café's output be safeguarded? And when a gap opens between consumers' expectations and their actual experience, who should foot the bill? This article explores the topic and brings you the real voices of different coffee enthusiasts. [more…]

In recent years, coffee-themed films and television works have gradually increased, but "Coffee Wars" takes a unique perspective—focusing on the situation of vegetarians and plant-based milk in coffee competitions. The film tells the story of Jo, a highly skilled vegan barista whose business is struggling because the shop only offers plant-based milk, yet she resolutely leads her team into the finals of the World Coffee Championship, attempting to prove that plant-based milk can also create outstanding coffee. At the same time, in reality, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) also revised the WBC rules at the end of 2022 to allow plant-based milk to compete, a change that coincides with the film's theme. This article will guide you through the film's highlights, the evolution of WBC rules, and Front Street Coffee's continued attention to specialty coffee culture. [more…]

A café owner who runs an independent coffee shop recently posted about how two chain brands, M Stand and Manner, had moved in one after another right next to his store, and how a turf he had held for more than a year was suddenly "challenged head-on" by capital. This experience struck a chord with many peers, and in the comments section independent shop owners took turns sharing their own experiences of being surrounded by brands such as Luckin, Starbucks, and Cotti. Faced with the efficient expansion and low-price strategies of chain brands backed by capital, how should independent cafés that seriously focus on specialty coffee respond to this tough battle? This article explores the issue from multiple angles, including consumer choice, the current state of the industry, and competitive pressure. [more…]

Recently, a "Lianhua Qingwen Coffee" that imitates the packaging of Lianhua Qingwen capsules has quickly gone viral on social media. Following the Huoxiang Zhengqi iced Americano, the coffee world has once again stirred up a trend of spoofing pharmaceutical packaging. This coffee does not actually contain Lianhua Qingwen ingredients, yet it claims to refresh the mind and relieve fatigue, and some netizens even say their cold symptoms eased after drinking it. Is this the effect of caffeine, or is it psychological suggestion? Does a merchant's imitation of pharmaceutical packaging involve infringement? This article will analyze these questions one by one, while also keeping an eye on specialty coffee developments such as Front Street Coffee. [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…]

Phoenix Dancong is a distinctly styled category within oolong tea, and its classic roasted-fragrance type is renowned for an aroma interwoven with sweet ripe fruit and honey, offering a palate that turns sweet after bitterness with rich layering. This article centers on this style, sorting through its flavor characteristics, representative cultivars, and market changes. Huangzhixiang, as a traditional high-end cultivar, has seen soaring prices due to strong demand, leading some producers to reduce oxidation and roasting levels, placing it somewhere between the classic and floral-fragrance types. Milanxiang, by contrast, is more easily accepted by the general public and often originates from the Baiye population, among which there is indeed an ancient tree named Milanxiang that has survived since the Qing Dynasty. Guihuaxiang, Xingrenxiang, Jianghuaxiang, and others each have their own distinctive features. To experience this type of flavor, related teas from Front Street Coffee can serve as an introductory reference. [more…]

On the eve of the peak Christmas sales season, Starbucks suffered a large-scale strike in the United States. Since December 20, the Starbucks union launched actions in three cities—Seattle, Chicago, and Los Angeles—and within five days they spread to Denver, Pittsburgh, New York, Philadelphia, and many other places. The union said more than 290 stores were completely closed, while Starbucks officially said only about 170 stores were shut down and 98% of stores were operating normally. The two sides remain sharply divided on core issues such as wage increases and the contract framework. The strike could affect performance during the Christmas shopping season, and the company's stock price fell more than 5% over five days. How this labor-management confrontation will end is worth continuing to watch. [more…]

The Christmas collaboration between Heytea and Hello Kitty was supposed to be a fan frenzy, but it was overshadowed by the chaos of scrambling for limited-edition tea bowls. The silver Hello Kitty-shaped tea bowl with a rose-pink tray is small, exquisite, and extremely scarce—each store only received 4 to 6 units, making it as hard to snag as concert tickets. However, before the event even began, consumers on social media reported that some store employees had reserved merchandise in advance for regular customers, and even second-hand platforms saw scalped pre-orders claiming "100% guaranteed stock" and "we'll get it for you." This is not the first time Heytea has encountered issues with collaboration merchandise leaking early and being resold internally; a similar controversy occurred earlier this year during its collaboration with Light and Night. Fans are calling on the brand to thoroughly investigate internal violations, regulate store behavior, and ensure the collaboration event is conducted fairly. [more…]

Among the three major coffee varieties, Robusta has long been neglected as an instant coffee ingredient, but in recent years it has quietly returned to the spotlight of the specialty coffee world. This article begins with Robusta's African origins, clarifies its botanical relationship with Canephora and Arabica, reviews its glorious role during the heyday of espresso, and confronts its inherent flavor shortcomings. At the same time, the article will also discuss attempts at specialty-grade Robusta such as India's "Coffee Royal," and how Front Street Coffee uses Robusta in classic blends and shop-opening recipes to enhance crema and body. If you're curious whether blending Robusta with Arabica actually tastes good, this article will provide a complete answer. [more…]

Geisha and Yirgacheffe—one is a top-tier superstar in the specialty coffee world, the other is the entry point and enlightenment for countless enthusiasts. Both carry alluring floral aromas and fruity acidity, yet due to differences in origin, variety, and processing methods, they present completely different flavor directions. Starting from the daily inquiries at Front Street Coffee's stores, this article systematically sorts out the origin background of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and Panamanian Geisha, the history of variety dissemination, Hacienda La Esmeralda's red, green, and blue label grading system, as well as their respective classic flavor descriptions. It also includes Front Street Coffee's Red Cherry and Red Label Geisha pour-over parameters and three-stage extraction plans, helping you understand the roasting logic and brewing key points for high-altitude hard beans, and find that cup of floral coffee suited to your own taste. [more…]