Milk tea brands are increasingly incorporating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ingredients into their products to attract a new wave of health-conscious customers. As consumer preferences shift towards healthier, functional beverages, milk tea makers are responding with innovative recipes that blend the rich flavors of TCM with the beloved taste of milk tea.
One such example is the collaboration between Chongqing-based milk tea brand, Chi Forest, and TCM principles. The brand has begun to add ingredients like red bean, coix seed, goji berry, and mung bean to its sparkling water offerings, effectively integrating TCM’s health benefits into trendy beverages that appeal to younger generations.
The growing interest in TCM among young Chinese people has led companies to explore this fusion of wellness and flavor. Liao Changying, the director of the nutrition department at Chongqing Jiangbei Hospital of TCM, believes that milk tea can serve as a gateway for youth to learn more about TCM while enjoying their favorite drink.
This trend follows the success of other beverage manufacturers, such as Tianfu Cola, which has been exploring herbal ingredients like Agastache rugosa to create a cola with heatstroke-protecting properties, further capitalizing on TCM’s popularity. As milk tea brands adapt to these health-conscious trends, they’re not only satisfying taste buds but also introducing consumers to the wellness benefits of traditional herbs.
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