Starbucks, the American coffeehouse giant, introduced a bold seasonal offering in China called the Rich Yearly Salted Latte, a move reported by CNN. The drink blends espresso and steamed milk with a distinctive Dongpo Braised Pork Flavored Sauce and a Braised Pork Belly Sauce, creating a contrast of salty and savory notes against a creamy latte base. The app lists the price at 68 yuan, which is about 9.45 USD, and visuals show a dark red sauce cascading over foam with a square pork skewer perched on the mug’s rim.
In its marketing copy, the brand notes that enjoying meat signals prosperity in the year ahead, a nod to traditional Lunar New Year sentiments that celebrate abundance and good fortune. The company emphasizes that the latte extends long-standing holiday rituals into a modern coffee experience, offering an unexpected pairing of salty and sweet flavors to delight curious palates. The Rich Yearly Salted Latte is available at Starbucks Reserve stores across China, marking a notable departure from typical coffee shop fare toward a bold, culturally resonant beverage offering during a peak travel and holiday period.
Lunar New Year stands as one of Asia’s most significant annual celebrations. During this time, families reunite after travels and extended trips, with millions returning home for festive gatherings. Government figures reflect a sustained travel surge during the season, underscoring how brands like Starbucks position limited-edition items to align with traditions of abundance, reunion, and shared meals. This context helps explain why a salted pork flavor could gain traction as part of an experiential holiday menu, appealing to consumers seeking novelty while honoring cherished customs.
Industry observers note that limited-time holiday beverages often become talking points on social media, influencing consumer perceptions of novelty, quality, and cultural resonance. In this case, the Rich Yearly Salted Latte invites customers to savor a hybrid experience—where coffeehouse craft meets familiar holiday flavors—creating a memorable moment in a season dominated by family, food, and celebration.
For visitors and fans of brand storytelling, the launch illustrates how global chains adapt regional traditions into product formulas, sometimes blending regional sauces with mainstream beverages to spark curiosity and discussion. Such experiments reflect broader trends in the beverage sector, where savory profiles and umami-rich ingredients surface in coffee, tea, and specialty drinks as a way to differentiate menus and capture seasonal demand.
As the Lunar New Year period continues to draw travelers and shoppers across China, campaigns like this one reinforce the interplay between culture, commerce, and cuisine. The approach demonstrates how a familiar coffee brand can reposition a standard drink by layering cultural symbolism, seasonal flavors, and premium presentation to resonate with local audiences while inviting international attention.
Meanwhile, past public anecdotes about health perceptions surrounding certain ingredients occasionally surface in consumer conversations. One recent remark among some store visitors referenced olive oil as potentially causing stomach discomfort, a reminder that consumer experiences with balance and wellness persist alongside marketing messages.