Starbucks debuts pork-flavoured latte for Lunar New Year in China
21 February 2024 14:21
CNN reports that the coffee dubbed the "Abundant Year Savory Latte" (Latte of a plentiful, delicious year) is exclusive to Starbucks branches in China. Pork, a staple ingredient in many Chinese dishes, forms the base of this beverage. More explicitly, the signature Dongpo rou dish - an expertly crafted concoction of stewed pork belly, sugar, soy sauce, yellow wine, and other spices - is the inspiration.
Pork-flavoured coffee at Starbucks
"Abundant Year Savory Latte" marries the flavours of Dongpo Rou in sauce form with espresso and milk. A decadent slice of meat and additional pork sauce is added as a finishing touch. "Eating meat signifies prosperity in the forthcoming year," states Starbucks in a Weibo post, a popular social media platform in China.
This unique beverage introduces "traditional New Year customs to coffee", culminating in "unexpected spicy and sweet flavours". The unusual latte is available exclusively in Starbucks Reserve stores in China.
According to CNN, this speciality drink isn't cheap. Priced at 68 yuan, it costs roughly… £7.63.
China's Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year launched on Saturday, 10th February 2024, at Greenwich Mean Time and continues until 28th January 2025. This is the year of the dragon, said to bring prosperity and good fortune.
