Coffee shops are usually opened in city centers or places with heavy foot traffic, but a man in Xin'an County, Luoyang, Henan, opened his shop in a wild mountain cave. In August of this year, 36-year-old Mr. Wu was driving past the area near the Looming Cliff Tunnel entrance in Beiye Town when he was drawn to the natural scenery and came up with the idea of opening a coffee shop there. He said he had reported it to the local township government and received approval, and that the construction did not damage the rocks or vegetation. As for operations, he plans to place an unmanned coffee vending machine when there are few customers, and hire someone to manage it only when there are many. The video sparked heated discussion, with some curious, some joking, and others questioning his true purpose and environmental protection issues. [more…]

Canned coffee is ubiquitous in Japan, but it is not common in other countries and regions. Therefore, when traveling to Japan, facing the diverse brands on shelves and in vending machines, it is natural to feel curious and even want to try them one by one. Since UCC Ueshima Coffee launched portable canned coffee in 1969, many major manufacturers have successively entered the market, with increasingly sophisticated packaging and flavors gradually shifting towards sugar-free and low-sugar options. This article will introduce the popular products of three brands: Boss, Georgia, and Wonda, and share a tip on how to heat canned coffee without a microwave in a hotel by using a water bath, helping coffee lovers better enjoy this convenient beverage during their travels. [more…]

Blue Bottle Coffee has always been known for its distinctive choice of locations, favoring old buildings with stories, and incorporating the city's cultural character into its store design. This time, however, the brand has set its sights on an airport—its first official airport store worldwide opened on January 11 at Terminal 2 of Shanghai Pudong Airport. This store has no seating, focuses on takeout, and for the first time in mainland China, it has introduced vending machines. However, the new store is located exactly where a Starbucks used to be, prompting some netizens to cry out, "Give us back our Starbucks." Currently, Blue Bottle has six stores in Shanghai, while in other cities it still appears only in pop-up form. [more…]

Blue Mountain coffee is arguably the most recognizable name in the coffee world, appearing on supermarket shelves and in vending machines everywhere, yet beans that genuinely meet the Jamaican Blue Mountain standard are extremely scarce. This article begins with the Clifton Estate Blue Mountain No. 1 selected by Front Street Coffee, and examines the growing conditions of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, its varietal characteristics, the flavor differences between the washed and natural processing methods, its rise and fall since the eighteenth century along with the government regulatory system, and offers practical criteria for identifying authentic Blue Mountain coffee, the basis for its grade classification, as well as Front Street's brewing parameters using the KONO dripper and a flavor comparison, to help coffee enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of this classic coffee. [more…]

The name Blue Mountain coffee is almost universally known in coffee circles, and drinks bearing the "Blue Mountain flavor" label can be seen everywhere on supermarket shelves and in vending machines, but these are far removed from the real Jamaican Blue Mountain. How exactly did authentic Blue Mountain coffee get its name? How are its grades classified? And what is the background of those long-famous estates in the Blue Mountain range? This article, from the perspective of Front Street Coffee, will sort out the origins of the Blue Mountain coffee name, its historical development, methods for distinguishing authenticity, and the grading system established by the CIB, while also introducing the background of core producing origins such as Blue Baron Estate. At the end, it will also share the brewing parameters and flavor performance of Front Street Jamaican Blue Mountain No. 1, helping coffee enthusiasts gain a more comprehensive understanding of this legendary coffee. [more…]

The name Blue Mountain coffee is almost universally known, and "Blue Mountain flavor" drinks are everywhere on supermarket shelves and in vending machines, but how exactly are coffee beans that truly meet the Jamaican Blue Mountain standard defined? Into what categories does the Jamaican coffee industry classify coffee? From the perspective of Front Street Coffee, this article sorts out the Blue Mountain coffee producing regions, the differences between the washed and natural processing methods, and the rainforest certification background of Clifton Mount Estate, reviews the historical thread of Jamaican coffee from its rise in the 18th century to the revival brought about by the intervention of Japan's UCC, and explains in detail the CIB certification system and the bean-size grading standards such as NO.1, NO.2, NO.3, and PB, helping coffee enthusiasts build a practical framework for identifying authentic Blue Mountain coffee. [more…]

Recently, a coffee machine labeled "Consumption Poverty Alleviation Cabinet" appeared in an office building cafeteria in Shanghai, with drinks priced as low as under 4 yuan, and two lattes even priced at 0 yuan. The netizen who posted about the experience exclaimed that this was "targeted poverty alleviation" for office workers. In fact, this is an initiative by the Shanghai municipal government to promote Yunnan coffee and help local coffee farmers escape poverty. Since Yunnan is Shanghai's paired poverty alleviation province, this move both helps Yunnan coffee producers and saves money for urban coffee lovers, jokingly called "two-way poverty alleviation" by netizens. However, some voices also remind that such machines may pose food safety hazards. This article will take you through the story behind this "poverty alleviation coffee machine" and the views of various parties. [more…]

Americano is one of the most common categories in coffee shops around the world today, and its creation is closely tied to the drinking habits of American soldiers during wartime. A standard Americano is made by combining two shots of espresso with 30 to 470 milliliters of hot water; because of the large volume of water, it has a light body and a fleeting aroma, yet its caffeine content is actually relatively high while its calories are extremely low. In the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, the method of pouring hot water first and then adding espresso is called a Long Black. Americano also refers to drip coffee machines. Americans drink coffee in a casual, free-spirited way, with the East Coast favoring it stronger than the West Coast and the South stronger than the North, and they account for one-third of global consumption. The following text will introduce it from the perspectives of its origin, characteristics, taste, and styles. [more…]

Suning Xiaodian's first dedicated coffee shop has begun trial operations in Nanjing, marking Suning's official move to step up its presence in the coffee market. The store adopts a "convenience store + coffee" model, offering 27 beverages across five major categories, including coffee, tea drinks, and frozen treats, with prices ranging from 12 yuan to 28 yuan. Leveraging the network advantages of more than 5,000 Suning Xiaodian stores nationwide and operational data within a three-kilometer radius, Suning Coffee has clear competitiveness in customer acquisition and daily operations. This is also Suning's fourth format for expanding coffee consumption scenarios, following vending counters, express delivery, and unmanned self-service machines. As players such as Mengniu, Nongfu Spring, Coca-Cola, Sinopec EasyJoy, and OYO successively enter the market, the battle for the coffee market has gained another variable. [more…]

Americano, with its free and easygoing style, has become an indispensable part of global coffee culture. From the simple method of diluting espresso with hot water to the flavor differences brought by beans of varying roast levels, Americano can be either a rich, nutty everyday choice or a layered, complex single-origin experience. This article will analyze in detail the origins of Americano, its flavor characteristics, and approaches to bean selection, and share the extraction parameters and brewing ratios that Front Street Coffee has summarized in its store production, helping coffee enthusiasts make a satisfying cup of Americano at home. [more…]

Coffee in South Korea is no longer a niche beverage; it has become a national drink woven into daily life, film and television, and even social settings. Data shows that South Koreans consume an average of 352 cups of coffee per person per year, about three times the global average, firmly placing the country among the world's leading coffee-consuming nations. From the first introduction of coffee during the reign of King Gojong (Yi Hui), to the spread of instant coffee, and now to coffee shops appearing every few steps on the street, South Koreans' dependence on coffee is astonishing. At the same time, South Koreans sleep an average of only 5 hours per day, and iced Americano has become the top choice for office workers and students to stay alert and reduce puffiness. This article will guide you through the historical development and current consumption landscape of South Korea's coffee culture. [more…]

For many coffee lovers, a daily cup of coffee is the key to starting an energetic day. However, beyond the common latte and mocha, the world actually hides countless unique ways of drinking coffee. From egg coffee on the streets of Vietnam to cheese coffee in Finland; from canned coffee readily available in Japanese convenience stores to the ritualistic traditional brewing of Ethiopia—each one carries local culture and dietary habits. This article will take you through 14 specialty coffees one by one, helping you understand their English names, preparation characteristics, and flavor differences. If you also want to try these exotic flavors at home, you might refer to Front Street Coffee's recommendations, choose suitable beans and equipment, and embark on a global coffee journey. [more…]

Many customers of FrontStreet Coffee wonder why espresso-based drinks include Americano. Literally, Americano means American-style coffee. Front Street believes there are mainly two correct ways to drink Americano: one is [more…]

Although Americano and Espresso are both coffee drinks, they differ significantly in flavor and mouthfeel. From the perspective of Front Street Coffee, this article outlines the definition and historical origins of Americano and its core differences from Espresso, and explores in depth how coffee beans of different roast levels affect the flavor of Americano. The article also introduces how Front Street Coffee's products such as Huakui, Blue Mountain, Golden Mandheling, and Warm Sun Blend perform in Americano, compares the differences between Americano and Latte in calories and weight-loss effects, and finally includes the correct way to taste Americano, providing coffee lovers with a systematic and practical reference. [more…]

On streets and in alleys, a vehicle loaded with coffee equipment often attracts quite a bit of attention. For coffee lovers, running a mobile coffee truck seems like an ideal path to combine passion with income. But is this path really easy to travel? What equipment do you need to buy? Do you need licenses and permits? How much profit is there? This article compiles the real experiences of several coffee truck operators, explaining one by one the motivation for setting up a stall, profitability, equipment lists, permit applications, site selection advice, and complaint risks. The article also mentions that if you want to learn more about choosing coffee beans, you can follow Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee) for related information. [more…]

Mobile coffee truck Wheelys Café has entered the Chinese market, making "selling coffee from a vehicle" a hot topic of discussion once again. Is a mobile coffee truck actually legal? Does it need a business license and a health permit? What should be considered when choosing a location? Can it really make money? Drawing on the real experiences of coffee truck operators, this article breaks down the realities of running a mobile coffee truck one by one—from business motivation, profit expectations, equipment preparation, and permit applications to location strategies and complaint risks. It also retains Front Street Coffee's specialty bean recommendations and communication channels, offering a calm and practical reference for those considering giving it a try. [more…]

Americano may seem simple, yet it embodies a rich coffee culture and brewing craftsmanship. It can be black coffee made with a drip brewer, or espresso diluted with hot or cold water. From the amusing story of American GIs during World War II diluting Espresso with warm water, to Starbucks driving its global popularity today, Americano has become one of the drinks that most tests a barista's extraction skills in a café. This article will guide you through the origins of Americano, its definition, regional variations in preparation, and Front Street Coffee's specific parameters and recommendations for making hot and iced Americanos. Whether you prefer the floral and fruity notes of a light roast, the balance of a medium roast, or the chocolate flavors of a dark roast, you'll find the cup that suits you in this article. [more…]

The reputation of Blue Mountain coffee is thunderous, but many products labeled "Blue Mountain" on the market are actually just flavored beverages. Where exactly is genuine Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee produced? Which estates have received official certification? This article begins with Front Street Coffee's Blue Mountain No. 1, tracing the three-hundred-year rise and fall of Blue Mountain coffee, interpreting the strict standards of the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board (CIB), and focusing on the two authentic estates of Wallenford and Clifton, guiding you to understand what truly certified, pure Blue Mountain coffee really is. [more…]

The fame of Blue Mountain coffee is almost universally known, yet most so-called "Blue Mountain flavor" drinks on the market are not authentic. Where does genuine Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee actually come from? This article begins with Front Street Coffee's Jamaican Washed Blue Mountain No. 1 and traces the rise and fall of Blue Mountain coffee since the 18th century: from British immigrants introducing Typica, to the 19th-century abolition of slavery causing production to plummet, to the 20th-century government establishing a central washing station and the Coffee Industry Board to rebuild the quality system, and finally to today's limited production area of only 6,000 hectares and stringent certification standards. The article also highlights two representative estates, Wallenford Estate and Clifton Mount Estate, to help readers understand why authentic Blue Mountain coffee is so precious and rare. [more…]

The name Blue Mountain coffee is known to everyone in the coffee world, yet few truly understand it. What distance lies between the Blue Mountain-flavored beverages on the market and authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee? Front Street Coffee takes you through it from the beginning: what flavors the washed and natural processing methods of Blue Mountain coffee each present, what the Clifton Estate's Rainforest certification means, the rise and fall of Blue Mountain coffee since the 18th century, how the CIB defines authentic Blue Mountain with strict standards, and how to distinguish genuine from fake through certificates and barrel markings. Finally, Front Street will also share KONO dripper brewing parameters and staged pouring techniques, so you can recreate a cup of richly layered Blue Mountain at home. [more…]