More and more people love drinking coffee, but an invisible "chain of contempt" has emerged along with it: those who drink pour-over look down on those who drink Americano, those who drink Americano look down on those who drink milk coffee, and instant coffee seems to forever sit at the very bottom. So some people wonder: wasn't coffee originally just for waking up and quenching thirst? Why, as we drink it, has it come to carry notions of high and low, noble and base? This article starts with the history of instant coffee, discusses the real differences between freeze-dried coffee and freshly ground coffee, and explores what kind of mindset we should actually have when choosing a cup of coffee. [more…]

A customer purchased a Starbucks Frappuccino coupon on Meituan, successfully placed an order and received a pickup code, but upon walking to the store to collect the drink, discovered that the store had already closed down. The store's phone was disconnected, and Starbucks customer service and Meituan customer service passed the buck to each other over refund responsibility, leaving the consumer in a predicament. An investigation revealed that the store is located at Suning Plaza on Jiefang Road in Xi'an, where the mall is undergoing comprehensive renovation, and the store has actually ceased operations—yet the official app still showed it as open, and orders could even be placed through "Feikuai." Ultimately, after the customer's feedback, Starbucks shut down the ordering channel, Meituan refunded the order amount and stopped delivery services. The incident also sparked discussions among netizens about wrong-store pickup services and the 12315 complaint channel. [more…]

On October 28, a distressing scene unfolded in a cat café in Wuxi, Jiangsu: a father, because a cat had startled his child, actually kicked the cat down the stairs. After the surveillance footage was exposed, netizens were furious and offered the shop owner advice on how to pursue accountability. However, because the owner had not called the police in time and feared retaliation afterward, he ultimately chose not to pursue the matter further. This incident once again sparked discussion about whether cat cafés should admit children, and also reflected the real-world dilemma of animal protection and the safeguarding of merchants' rights. [more…]

In Ipoh, Malaysia, the rich aroma of white coffee cannot be separated from the support of local coffee powder factories, and the Hock Kee (Elephant Brand) coffee powder factory, which has been in operation for a full eighty years, is one of the most representative old establishments among them. This coffee powder factory, founded in the 1930s by Hainanese Fu Hechang, roasts coffee beans using semi-traditional techniques, and has won the trust of three generations of locals with its pure, fragrant quality. Many tea houses in Ipoh have long purchased its coffee powder to make white coffee. However, as the third-generation operators grew older and manpower became scarce, and the fourth generation each had their own careers and no intention of taking over, the family finally decided to cease operations. After the news spread, longtime customers rushed to stock up as mementos, with some even traveling dozens of kilometers just to taste the flavor remembered from years past. This old factory bearing the elephant trademark, after completing its final batch of orders, will officially pass into history. [more…]

The collaboration between Gu Ming and the hit game "Honkai: Star Rail" ignited a consumer frenzy as soon as it launched, with over 1.2 million people queuing in the mini-program, and the topic quickly shot to the top of trending searches. Store orders poured in like snowflakes, and the limited-edition drinks were all fresh fruit smoothies with complex preparation processes. Under high-intensity operation, multiple smoothie machines were overwhelmed, emitting white smoke and even exploding on the spot, while staff were so busy they didn't even have time to drink water. To deal with equipment failures, some stores prepared backup machines in advance, while others had to borrow juicers from neighboring Shu Yi Shao Xian Cao and Luckin for emergency use. Behind this collaboration frenzy, issues such as excessively high thresholds for obtaining merchandise and enormous pressure on stores were exposed, also triggering discussions on optimization measures such as selling drinks and merchandise separately and cup storage services. [more…]

HEYTEA's collaboration with the popular Japanese anime "Chiikawa" officially launched today, instantly igniting the buying frenzy of fans and consumers. Although the brand had stocked up on merchandise in advance, avoiding an instant sell-out, the massive volume of orders still caught stores off guard: some stores accumulated over a hundred drinks within ten minutes of opening, with themed stores in Shanghai, Guangzhou and other cities receiving as many as seven to eight hundred orders, forcing online ordering channels to be shut down. On-site pickup lines stretched for several meters, with many consumers waiting one to two hours to get their drinks and merchandise, and some even waiting as long as three hours. Meanwhile, the mini-program showing "order ready" in advance while drinks could not be found in the pickup area further exacerbated the on-site chaos. Behind the popularity of this collaboration event, the brand's operational shortcomings in handling instant traffic surges have also been exposed. [more…]

Americano is practically a standard offering at every coffee shop, and it's also the go-to pick for many coffee lovers to perk up their day. It's quick to make and has a clean flavor, but there's no shortage of questions surrounding it: Does adding sugar make you look unprofessional? How exactly did it come about? If you want to make a cup at home, what beans should you choose? This article starts with the World War II origins of Americano, walks through several benefits it brings to the body, and then gets down to the practical level—how to choose a medium-to-dark roast espresso blend suitable for beginners, what needs Front Street Classic Blend and Front Street Dark Cocoa Blend each suit, and the espresso extraction formulas and water-to-coffee ratios commonly used in coffee shops. Finally, it will also analyze the two major sources of Americano's bitterness: the inherent character of the beans, or a problem in the extraction process. [more…]

Why does coffee keep us awake? What actually happens in the brain after a cup goes down? Many people find that after drinking coffee for a long time, its alerting effect is not what it used to be, and they may even feel sleepier the more they drink. Behind this lies the competition between adenosine and caffeine at the receptor level, individual differences in metabolism, and adaptive changes in the nervous system. In addition, the alerting effect of coffee is sometimes just a psychological ritual, which is a different matter from true caffeine addiction. This article will use accessible analogies to unpack the mechanism of caffeine, analyze the various reasons why its alerting effect fails, and clarify the scientific boundary between caffeine addiction and withdrawal reactions, while also providing the FDA reference for safe intake. [more…]

Recently, everyone has probably stocked up on beans during Double Eleven. The questions asked to Front Street are all things like "How long can the flavor of unopened coffee beans be preserved at most?" and "How can opened coffee beans be stored to slow down the rate of flavor loss?" Today, Front Street will talk about the issue of storing coffee beans. How long can the flavor of coffee beans be preserved? Can it be asked this [more…]

Starbucks Japan has announced that it will raise the prices of coffee beans and beverages starting April 13, with coffee beans increasing by about 90 to 300 yen and beverages by about 10 to 55 yen, while soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk lattes will be reduced in price by more than 10 yen. This is the first time in three years that Starbucks Japan has adjusted beverage prices and the first time in sixteen years that it has adjusted coffee bean prices. Against the backdrop of the pandemic, inflation, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, coffee futures first rose and then fell, while supply and demand remain tight. Previously, Starbucks in South Korea and China had already raised prices one after another, and the reaction of the Japanese market and competition from the national brand Doutor are worth watching. Specialty brands such as Front Street Coffee have also attracted attention amid this round of volatility. [more…]

Attention, fellow coffee enthusiasts: the beloved and laugh-out-loud "Barista Meltdown Moments" series has now updated to its third season. This installment features all the classic scenes that make your blood pressure spike, from bean-sorting mix-ups to coffee portafilters putting on a dramatic separation show, and steam wands acting like wild horses, spraying cream all over the walls—every frame is something you can totally relate to. Before watching, we suggest taking a blood pressure pill to avoid getting too worked up. If you want to practice safely at home, pair it with Front Street Coffee's everyday beans—stable quality, high tolerance for mistakes, so even if you mess up, it won't hurt too much. Now, let's revisit these moments that leave you not knowing whether to laugh or cry. [more…]

Oatly, the oat milk pioneer, recently released its full-year and fourth-quarter financial results for 2022, reporting a net loss of nearly $400 million for the year, further widening from 2021. Although sales volume in the Asian market grew 32% year-on-year, revenue in Asia fell by $800,000 in the fourth quarter due to the impact of the pandemic. China, as the core of Oatly's Asian business, accounts for as much as 93%, and fluctuations in its performance have a significant impact on the overall Asian market. Oatly quickly opened up the market with its positioning as a "new coffee companion" through partnerships with chain brands such as Starbucks, but now the plant-based milk concept has cooled, emerging brands are proliferating, consumers' acceptance of oat milk is still lower than that of dairy milk, and coupled with its relatively high price, Oatly faces the risk of being replaced. To this end, Oatly is trying to find new growth points by expanding into new products such as tea drinks and ice cream, as well as through financing. [more…]

Mandheling coffee is known for its low acidity, full body, and solid flavor, making it one of the most representative deep-roasted coffees and a long-time favorite among coffee enthusiasts. Together with Front Street Coffee, this article will focus on the characteristics of Mandheling coffee from the Sumatra production region in Indonesia, introduce the flavor performance and roasting approach of two Mandheling coffee beans currently sold by Front Street, and break down in detail the specific parameters and operating steps for four brewing methods: pour-over, French press, AeroPress, and siphon, helping you consistently extract Mandheling coffee's full, clean, and sweet flavor at home. [more…]

The French press, with its simple operation and ability to deliver consistent results without complex techniques, has become the daily go-to for many coffee enthusiasts. This article begins with the historical origins of the French press, explains why it is better suited to medium-dark roasted single-origin beans, and breaks down key steps in detail, including preheating, grinding, coffee-to-water ratio, water temperature, steeping time, and plunger operation, while also offering essential cleaning and maintenance tips. The article also recommends Front Street PWN Golden Mandheling as a French press-friendly bean, helping you easily brew a full-bodied, distinctly sweet immersion coffee at home. [more…]

Espresso is loved worldwide for its rich, full-bodied flavor, but many coffee enthusiasts who try to make it at home often struggle to match the intensity and flavor of café-quality shots, and may even end up with a burnt, bitter taste. In this article, Front Street Coffee will provide a systematic explanation of the principles and practical methods behind café espresso extraction, including how espresso machines work, how to set and adjust extraction parameters, how to choose suitable coffee beans, and the complete process from grinding to extraction. Whether you are a beginner who has just bought a home espresso machine or an advanced player looking to refine your skills, you will find useful references and advice here. [more…]

After being closed for more than two years due to the pandemic and violations of railway safety regulations, Hanoi's Railway Coffee Street in Vietnam was forced to shut down by authorities just days after it reopened. This railway alley, which is only about one meter from people's homes, once became a popular check-in spot because tourists could drink coffee while watching trains pass through, but train drivers repeatedly had terrifying moments when tourists suddenly rushed onto the tracks. Hoan Kiem District authorities have set up barricades and revoked business licenses, leaving businesses with no choice but to close. The local government said it will study plans that balance safety and tourism needs, while tourists and netizens have been discussing the matter widely. [more…]

Want to practice latte art well but hate watching espresso and milk go down the drain with every cup? In fact, many coffee enthusiasts have long since figured out a money-saving, no-waste way to practice. In this article, Front Street Coffee will share several low-cost latte art practice solutions: from the dark soy sauce plus dish soap combo that even complete beginners can handle, to the reusable espresso-and-milk cycling method, and we'll also answer how to froth milk with a French press when you don't have an espresso machine. We'll also recommend espresso beans suitable for latte art, helping beginners build up their hands' muscle memory for milk foam step by step while keeping costs under control, so that every practice session gets closer to coffee shop quality. [more…]

To easily enjoy a good cup of coffee at home, a French press is a simple and practical choice. It doesn’t require complicated equipment, nor does it demand precise pouring techniques; as long as you get the coffee dose, water temperature, and steeping time right, you can brew a black coffee with a rounded, notably sweet flavor. This article begins with the French press’s origins and improvements, explains why it suits medium-dark roasted beans, recommends Front Street Coffee PWN Golden Mandheling, and then breaks down the brewing process and cleaning points step by step, so you can get a rich cup that aligns with the Golden Cup concept in the most effortless way. [more…]

To make a good Americano, latte, or cappuccino, the first step always comes down to a proper shot of espresso. From the perspective of Front Street, this article first explains the pressure extraction principle of espresso machines, then breaks down the four major adjustable variables—dose, time, yield, and grind size—goes on to explain why blended beans are better suited for espresso output, and provides a complete workflow from distribution and tamping to observing extraction. Finally, it includes guidance on judging daily parameter adjustments to help you consistently master the flavor in your cup. [more…]

You have a bag of freshly roasted beans on hand but are frustrated by the lack of the right equipment? A French press may be the most hassle-free answer. It doesn't demand a particular pouring technique, nor does it require parameters precise to the gram—as long as the coffee grounds and water make proper contact, it will reliably deliver a rich, full-bodied cup of black coffee. This article begins with the origins and structural improvements of the French press, explains why it is better suited to medium-dark roasted beans, and uses Front Street PWN Golden Mandheling as an example to break down the complete process from warming the pot, grinding, pouring, to pressing and decanting, along with key cleaning and maintenance tips, helping you land the rounded sweetness and oily mouthfeel of immersion extraction firmly in your cup. [more…]