Introduction:ChaBaYi has launched a winter-limited new drink, "Qingshan Qigu," blending yellow tea, roasted rice, and milk. It highlights the aroma of crispy rice crust and toasted rice, but has prompted numerous reports of insomnia among consumers. Could its24.9mg/100mlcaffeine content be the main culprit? This article delves into the drink’s ingredients, individual differences in tolerance, and offers consumption advice to help you avoid sleep disruptions.
Recently, ChaBaYi introduced its winter offering "Qingshan Qigu" at stores nationwide. Based on western Anhui yellow tea, it is combined with roasted rice, buckwheat, and milk. The brand claims it delivers a rich aroma of crispy rice crust and a distinctive flavor of toasted rice. However, reactions to this new drink have been polarized—aside from flavor debates, more customers have complained about insomnia after drinking it, with related discussions around sleeplessness even overshadowing taste critiques.
According to publicly available brand data, "Qingshan Qigu" contains approximately24.9 milligrams of caffeineper 100 milliliters. For a standard large cup size of 580 milliliters, the total caffeine intake is about 144.4 milligrams; for a medium cup of 470 milliliters, it’s roughly 117 milligrams. These figures are close to the caffeine level found in a medium-sized Americano, significantly affecting those who are sensitive.
Notably, many consumers describe its flavor not as the toasty aroma advertised by the brand, but rather as “burnt,” “bitter buckwheat tea,” or “roasted corn mixed with barley tea.” While subjective taste differences are normal, the concentrated feedback on insomnia is unusually prominent. Many users have reported symptoms such as palpitations, hand tremors, nausea, and even being unable to sleep all night after consumption.
Experts note that the type of tea and its processing method can greatly affect caffeine release. Yellow tea is a post-fermented tea category, and although its caffeine content is usually lower than that of black tea, when combined with roasted rice and special baking techniques, it may increase overall stimulation. In addition, dairy products and sugar in milk tea can moderate some bitterness, but do not reduce the stimulating effects of caffeine.
Individual tolerance to caffeine varies widely. Factors such as genetics, weight, and daily habits all influence metabolism: those with higher tolerance may still sleep well even after evening consumption, while sensitive individuals may struggle to sleep after just a small amount. First-time tasters are advised to start with a smaller serving and observe their body’s response before deciding whether to continue.
If you’re sensitive to caffeine, it’s best to check ingredient labels when selecting drinks or avoid products based on high-caffeine tea leaves. Keeping track of your body’s reactions each time you consume caffeine can help you develop a personalized dietary strategy, minimizing unwanted disruptions to your sleep.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
