Introduction:In October this year, duck shit aroma milk tea sparked heated discussions on social media platforms, bringing the Fenghuang Dancong tea variety from Chaozhou-Shantou in Guangdong province — duck shit aroma — into the public eye. After launching a related beverage, Nayuki applied to register the trademark “Nayuki Duck Shit Aroma,” sparking discussions around the commercialization of niche tea bases and brand monopolization. This article delves into the origins of the incident, explores the balance between innovation and trademark protection for tea beverage businesses, and provides details on the characteristics and applications of duck shit aroma tea.
In October this year, a topic titled “How good is duck shit aroma milk tea, really?” quickly climbed to the top of social media’s trending lists, successfully introducing the unique Fenghuang Dancong tea variety from Chaozhou-Shantou, Guangdong — duck shit aroma — to tea beverage enthusiasts across the country. This niche tea base, with its distinctive name, quickly won over consumers with its special aroma and rich, full-bodied flavor.
In fact, even before Nayuki launched its related product, duck shit aroma had already caught the attention of some tea beverage brands due to its unique aroma and taste. This time, not only did Nayuki launch duck shit aroma milk tea, but after receiving an enthusiastic market response, it also applied to the trademark authority through its affiliated company, Shenzhen Pindao Catering Management Co., Ltd., to register the trademark “Nayuki Duck Shit Aroma.” The international classification falls under convenience food, with application number 60287873. This move immediately triggered heated online discussions, with supporters viewing it as a reasonable strategy for brand differentiation, while opponents criticized the monopolization of a regional specialty tea by a single enterprise.
It is worth noting that there are various theories about the origin of the name “duck shit aroma.” One explanation is that the soil in which the tea plants grow is yellowish, and locals refer to this type of soil as “duck shit soil,” hence the name; another theory is that tea farmers deliberately used an unrefined name to deter theft. Regardless of its origin, what undoubtedly brought duck shit aroma into the mainstream spotlight was the innovative application by tea beverage brands.
According to information, the duck shit aroma milk tea launched by Nayuki uses this tea variety as the base, presenting a mellow and smooth flavor with a natural floral aroma, quickly attracting a large number of consumers eager to try something new. However, the brand’s subsequent move to apply for a trademark made many netizens uncomfortable, believing that tying a regional specialty tea to a single brand undermines its original cultural and regional attributes.
In fact, incorporating niche tea bases into beverages is not an invention of Nayuki. Market observations show that several tea beverage brands, including Uncle Q, have long used duck shit aroma as a regular tea base and built distinctive product features around it. For example, in the early days of its brand establishment, Uncle Q included duck shit aroma as one of its standard teas in stores and promoted it with the slogan “Flower and liquor aromas are no match for duck shit aroma,” successfully attracting a loyal customer base. Reviewing its official materials also reveals that many of the brand’s products use locally distinctive tea infusions, such as shizhu tea, bud-tip yellow tea, and Wuyi Rock Tea Shui Jin Gui, showcasing an in-depth exploration of tea flavors.
Industry insiders point out that tea varieties like duck shit aroma, with their novel names and strong regional characteristics, often quickly capture consumers’ curiosity, sharing similarities with previously viral tea bases like yugan (phyllanthus emblica) and wampi. However, when brands attempt to claim these niche ingredients as their own through trademark registration, it can easily raise questions about business ethics and branding strategies.
Regarding this controversy, some netizens shared real-life experiences, pointing out that tea shops in Chaoshan had already launched milk teas with similar duck shit aroma flavors earlier, and that the combination of toppings such as crushed nuts and whipped cream were also highly similar. Some consumers recalled that Uncle Q Tea, under Guangzhou Shanqiu Catering, not only has long supplied duck shit aroma-based tea products but has also made it one of the brand’s features, demonstrating both the potential and challenges of using niche tea bases in the tea beverage market.
In summary, when facing fierce market competition, it is understandable for tea beverage businesses to seek innovation and differentiation. Using niche tea bases like duck shit aroma can not only enrich product flavors but also attract specific consumer groups. However, while actively registering trademarks and building brand images, it is also necessary to prudently consider the rationality of trademark usage and respect for regional culture, in order to strike a balance between commercial interests and consumer expectations.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
