Introduction:Chain coffee brands have successively launched innovative drinks that combine "coffee + traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients." Xingyun Cafe introduced goji berry Americano, goji berry milk, and goji berry latte after National Day, with each cup priced at no more than 10 RMB. The biggest highlight is the direct addition of first-harvest goji berries from Ningxia, with about 10 grams per cup, along with a small spoon provided so customers can sip and chew. This move has sparked heated online discussion, with some praising its authenticity and others commenting on the disjointed flavor. This article delves into the features of this new product, market feedback, and the limitations of goji berries in cold beverages.
In recent years, cross-category drinks that blend "coffee + traditional Chinese medicine" have gradually become a new favorite in the market, especially those featuring common health ingredients like goji berries and red dates. On the first working day after the National Day holiday, Xingyun Cafe launched a series of new products positioned as "health-oriented," including goji berry Americano, goji berry milk, and goji berry latte, with each cup priced under 10 RMB, attracting many consumers looking for affordable and healthy drink options.
Unlike most market products that use goji-flavored syrup or flavored milk, Xingyun Cafe opts for "the real deal" — directly adding first-harvest goji berries from Ningxia into the cup, with about 10 grams per cup, and also providing a small spoon so customers can sip and chew, adding an interactive experience. This approach has sparked lively discussions on social platforms, with netizens expressing surprise at the high quantity of goji berries. Some jokingly said it felt like "rejuvenating after drinking it," while others bluntly stated, "It tastes like chewing raw goji berries with bitter water."
According to official brand information, the goji berries used this time are first-harvest produce from Ningxia, a top-grade item from the region’s premium-growing areas. Not only are the berries plump, but their nutritional value is also relatively high. Based on consumer feedback, these goji berries are indeed chewable, and some customers mentioned that after finishing a cup, they not only got their caffeine but also consumed a good amount of goji berries, achieving quite the "nutritional supplement" effect.
However, although goji berries are highly nutritious, releasing their flavor in cold drinks remains a major challenge. Generally speaking, if you want to extract the sweetness and aroma of goji berries through brewing, it is recommended to soak them in water above 80°C for at least 15 to 20 minutes to soften the fruit and release the polysaccharides and flavor compounds inside. But Xingyun Cafe’s goji coffee is mostly sold as iced or at room temperature, and the goji berries are not pre-extracted but added directly in their dried form, making it difficult for their flavor to fully integrate into the drink.
Many netizens shared their actual drinking experiences. Some said: "The goji berries and coffee are completely separate experiences, the flavors don’t match," "It tastes like dishwater with goji berries added," "I only tasted the bitterness of the Americano; the goji flavor only comes out when you chew," "This latte doesn’t have any goji aroma at all, turns out it’s because the goji berries are whole." These comments show that although the goji dosage is generous, its flavor performance is indeed limited without proper extraction or heating.
From a technical perspective, if you want to highlight the unique sweetness and subtle fruity aroma of goji berries in coffee, there are several methods to consider: one is to use concentrated goji-flavored syrup or cold-brewed goji liquid, which can blend more evenly with coffee; another is to soak the dried goji berries in hot water or warm milk beforehand if sticking with dry goji, then add the extracted liquid to the base to help release more flavor; the third is to opt for a hot drink version, using high temperature to accelerate flavor release, though care should be taken with soaking time to avoid excessive bitterness.
In summary, the goji series launched by Xingyun Cafe uses "real ingredients" as a selling point, and its bold and creative use of materials has indeed successfully stirred up market conversation. However, if the goal is to simultaneously enjoy the richness of coffee and the smooth sweetness of goji berries in a drink, there is still room for improvement in the current execution. For consumers who enjoy trying new things or focus on wellness elements, it might be worth experiencing firsthand — you might just come to appreciate this alternative coffee experience of "sipping and chewing."
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
