2023-09-05 21:01:07
A new coffee, launched Monday by a Chinese chain and which contains extracts of the most expensive and famous brandy in the country, caused a rush in stores and the enthusiasm of Internet users. The Luckin Coffee chain, rival of the American Starbucks, now offers a maotai (or “moutai”) latte – a 53% white alcohol, made from fermented sorghum and a half-liter bottle of which costs around 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 euro). 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’s not too hard. So I wanted to try! said Yan Yumeng, 25, who had just picked up her order from a Luckin store in central Beijing.
An employee at Luckin Coffee prepares moutai, brandy coffee. Jade Gao / AFP
Overwhelmed employees
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. 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 can these huge sales be explained? I think it’s the maotai effect. It is the most famous national alcohol! 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 permitted alcohol level while driving is 0.0 g/l in China.
Surprisingly good
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! says Alison Zhao, a 38-year-old resident.
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, to more modern and unexpected versions, such as coconut milk or watermelon juice.
Ludovic EHRET/AFP
A new coffee, launched Monday by a Chinese chain and which contains extracts of the most expensive and famous brandy in the country, 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 sorghum…
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