Pu’er Coffee

 Just recently, while attending a coffee tasting event—what we often call a “coffee cupping banquet”—I happened to hear the term “Golden Honey Process.” Most of us are already familiar with names like White Honey, Yellow Honey, Red Honey, and Black Honey when it comes to coffee processing methods. But what exactly is Golden Honey? For a moment, it made me reflect on how new terminology constantly appears in certain industries today. These new terms often make people both curious and cautious. Are they the result of genuine technological innovation, or simply clever marketing? It struck me that this phenomenon is actually worth discussing within the specialty coffee world. So today, I’d like to share some of my observations and thoughts—and of course, feel free to join the conversation in the comments. The charm of specialty coffee lies in its spirit of innovation and continuous learning . To some extent, the appearance of new professional terms and vocabulary in the industry i...

 “Coffee Tasting Banquet” is a kind of tasting experience created for coffee enthusiasts. For coffee shops, this format allows them to test market reactions and collect customer feedback through a sharing-based event. The concept itself provides an excellent setting for both tasting and discussion. At this particular event, they brought six outstanding beans from different origins. Taking advantage of this tasting session, I’d like to share some thoughts about these six coffee regions and the flavor characteristics of their beans. The first bean comes from Roble Estate in Colombia . The farm reaches elevations of up to 1,800 meters and is located in the town of Pitalito in Huila. The owner, Dionel, named this coffee sanctuary after a century-old oak tree that inspired him. The estate places great emphasis on precision throughout the processing stage. After handpicking, the cherries undergo flotation to remove defects, followed by a second manual sorting to eliminate unripe fruit. ...

 Be honest—do you do this too? Every time you buy coffee beans, the first thing you look for is the roast date. As long as it’s fresh, you feel safe. If the “best before” date is still a month away, into the cart it goes. If there’s only two weeks left, doubt immediately kicks in. Stop. Put that bag down. Here’s a little secret: the date on the bag is just the coffee’s birth certificate . What truly determines whether a coffee will surprise you—or disappoint you—are several far more important details that most people overlook. Learn to read them, and your coffee-buying skills will instantly level up. Your wallet and your taste buds will thank you. 1. Origin & Processing Method Let me ask you something: Why does someone from Northeast China sound completely different from someone speaking Cantonese? Coffee works the same way. Its “accent”—in other words, its flavor—has already been shaped by where it comes from. That small line of text on the bag, like “Ethiopia ...

 Coffee roasters are now joining the trend of launching Christmas Advent Calendars ! As December arrives, the festive atmosphere seems to settle in before the month even begins. And during this season, one type of product that nearly every consumer brand wants to capitalize on is the Advent Calendar . With luxury-brand advent calendars becoming a trend in recent years, this concept has also started gaining popularity in the coffee industry. The Advent Calendar originated in 19th-century Germany as a traditional way of counting down to Christmas, usually from December 1st to December 24th or 25th. These calendars are designed so that each day reveals a small compartment, lid, or door containing a tiny gift or surprise. I even found an early example online from 1903—a sheet featuring 24 illustrations glued together as a series—considered the first printed Advent Calendar. Today, coffee brands of all types, from specialty roasters to instant and capsule companies, are launching thei...

 Have you ever felt completely lost standing in front of a shelf full of coffee beans? With all the different origins, processing methods, and flavor notes, it’s easy to get overwhelmed—only to end up bringing home a bag that tastes nothing like what you expected. Choosing coffee beans isn’t as mysterious as it seems. Just remember three key points: origin, processing method, and roast date. The origin determines the backbone of the flavor, the processing method gives it personality, and freshness is the soul of the cup. Generally, coffee tastes best within one month after roasting. Don’t stock up too much—fresh is always better. Enough talk—let’s get straight to the good stuff. These five beans are tried-and-true “power players.” Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned coffee lover, you can pick any of them with confidence. 1. Ethiopia Yirgacheffe — Washed Process If you enjoy clean, bright flavors, this one won’t fail you. It’s like stepping into an early-summer orchard, wit...

 When choosing coffee beans, many people focus on factors like flavor and origin—but “variety” is another angle some coffee lovers consider. Since our Front Street Coffee shops, both online and offline, specialize in selling beans, we often meet customers who pick their beans based on variety alone. The two requests we hear most often are: “I want Gesha,” or, “I want something special that isn’t Gesha.” And Sidra happens to be one of the varieties we recommend for the second group. Since its breakout performance on the world coffee competition stage in 2022, Sidra has become an absolute star—everywhere and impossible to ignore. The reason is simple: this variety truly is special in many ways. So today, we’re going to dive into what makes Sidra so unique, and how you can brew this distinct coffee properly if you’ve purchased our Front Street Sidra. What Exactly Is Sidra? Sidra (also spelled “Sydra” or “Bourbon Sidra”) is a phonetic transliteration of Sidra , a Spanish word me...

 Green beans start with a raw, grassy aroma, and as they roast under intense heat, everything begins to change. At the moment of “first crack,” the beans expand and their flavor shifts—moving from grassy notes to nutty and chocolatey aromas, eventually developing the smoky depth of a dark roast. But here’s something you may have wondered: Why do some coffees carry a distinct smoky character? Is it an inherent trait of the bean, or just a “little accident” during roasting? Today, let’s break down the origins of coffee’s smoky flavor by looking at roast levels and roasting methods. First Things First: The 8 Roast Levels That Define Coffee’s Flavor Profile A coffee’s foundational taste is largely determined by its roast level. In professional roasting, there are eight levels from light to dark, each with its own characteristics—and its own relationship with smokiness: Light Roast (Around the start of first crack) Strong grassy notes with mild aroma and weak body. Very little d...

 People often say, “You get what you pay for.” In many aspects of life, this saying makes perfect sense, and it’s deeply ingrained in the way we think about consumption. Not long ago, a customer came into our shop for coffee. After looking at the menu, he asked with surprise, “What’s this Emerald Red Label for 75 yuan? It must taste way better than the regular pour-over for 30 yuan, right?” Clearly, this customer had already equated “expensive coffee” with “good coffee,” assuming that a higher price always means better flavor. But is that really the truth? What determines the price of coffee? 1. Variety Most people know that the coffee beans sold today are broadly divided into Arabica and Robusta. Arabica includes many sub-varieties—Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, and more. These beans are usually grown at high altitudes above 800 meters. They tend to have a smoother taste and more refined flavor characteristics influenced by the local terroir. However, Arabica is picky by nature....