Tea Industry Sees Local Flavor Trend; Chaoshan Sour-Sweet Notes Rise, Small Fruit Usage Surges
A 2026 Chaoshan-dialect film sparked interest in local tea brand Yibei Chaocha, which sponsored 100 cups. The tea industry is embracing regional flavors, with giants like Heytea and Nayuki developing Guangdong ingredients such as oil plum, guava, and yellow peel. Data shows small fruits like prickly pear and guava are surging in use, while Thai milk tea revives at around RMB 20 per cup, but Hong Kong milk tea remains sluggish due to high caffeine and sugar. Heytea plans to test a new Hong Kong-style milk tea in select Guangdong stores. Tai Ben Niu introduces topping milk tea, and specialty drink standardization advances with smart machines.
- Effective
- +8
- Intensity
- 60
- Confidence
- 75%
- Horizon
- Medium term