2023-09-04 16:01:44
A new coffee launched on Monday by a Chinese chain and containing extracts of the country’s most expensive and famous brandy has caused a rush in stores and the enthusiasm of Internet users.
The Luckin Coffee chain, rival of the American Starbucks, now offers a latte with Maotai (or “Moutai”) – a 53% white alcohol, made from fermented sorghum and of which a half-liter bottle costs approximately 2,500 yuan (320 euros).
The new coffee, topped with cream and the result of a collaboration between the two Chinese companies, fortunately only has a very low alcohol content (0.5%) and is offered at around 19 yuan (2.40 euros).
AFP
It was a major topic of conversation on Chinese social media on Monday, with many netizens bragging regarding being the first to try the new product and post pictures of it.
“According to friends, the taste is quite good and it does not tear too much. So I wanted to try!” Yan Yumeng, 25, who has just picked up his order from a Luckin store in central Beijing, told AFP.
She herself does not drink white alcohol, because she “can’t stand it”, but says she has already drunk mojito or whiskey coffees.
“I’m not afraid of being tipsy at the office, no! The alcohol taste is light and it won’t give me a headache,” she smiles.
AFP
Inside the Luckin store, four employees work hard to keep things going. About forty sachets with orders, only to take away, accumulate on the counter.
“The pace is much higher than usual,” explains the cashier. “About 80% of orders today are for this product.”
“How to explain these huge sales? I think it’s the Maotai effect. It is the national alcohol, the most famous! This new cafe can attract people who haven’t had it before,” says Lian Chonghui, a 37-year-old customer.
On the window, the advertisement warns: “We do not recommend that minors, pregnant women, drivers and people allergic to alcohol consume this drink” — the maximum alcohol level allowed while driving is 0.0 g/ l in China.
AFP
The point of sale, overwhelmed, no longer accepting new orders in the middle of the followingnoon.
What regarding taste? “It’s surprisingly good. It’s sweet and the Maotai flavor lasts a long time in the mouth,” raves a surfer on the Weibo social network.
“There is honestly nothing special. It’s just that there is a bit of an alcohol taste. Personally, I prefer normal coffee!” Alison Zhao, a 38-year-old resident, told AFP.
Drinking coffee was not customary in China. But the drink has become increasingly popular over the past 20 years.
Young people consume it in large quantities, from lattes to americanos and more modern and unexpected versions, such as coconut milk or watermelon juice.
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