Introduction:Recently, the controversy over Luckin Coffee’s “Navy Blue Salt Salty Milk Green Tea” — where adding salt incurs an extra charge of 2 RMB — has sparked widespread discussion. Consumers have questioned whether the price differences between options with more sugar, less sugar, or no sugar are reasonable. This article delves into the cost structure behind the Navy Blue Salt Rock Sugar Flavor Syrup, explores the pricing strategies for sweetness adjustments in the tea drink industry, and offers practical ordering tips to help readers understand the cost logic behind their beverages.
Recently, a dispute regarding Luckin Coffee’s Navy Blue Salt Salty Milk Green Tea circulated on social media: a customer, following online suggestions to add salt for enhanced flavor, was told they would need to pay an additional 2 RMB. Expecting it to be as simple as adding regular table salt, the customer was surprised to learn that the so-called “salt” was actually a higher-cost Navy Blue Salt Rock Sugar Flavor Syrup — a far cry from the “free salt” they had anticipated.
The incident quickly went viral online, with many long-time Luckin customers pointing out that the “salt” is actually a specially flavored syrup, not ordinary salt. According to Luckin staff and official customer service, this Navy Blue Salt Rock Sugar Flavor Syrup is complex to produce and more costly than regular syrups. Therefore, if customers wish to add this special flavoring, an additional fee is indeed justified.
Based on information provided by the stores, the standard charge on the mini-program for adding the salty syrup is 1 RMB. However, some third-party delivery platforms do not offer this option. If customers order through such platforms, it is recommended to choose an equivalent side item and note their request, or directly contact the store’s customer service to cover the 1 RMB difference. This misunderstanding arose because store staff incorrectly quoted the syrup as plain table salt, effectively overcharging by 1 RMB.
Although the company has issued a clarification and apology, the incident has triggered deeper discussions: if adding syrup incurs an additional charge, should customers who opt for less sugar or no sugar receive a corresponding refund for the saved syrup cost? One netizen raised a pointed question: “If adding salt costs money, then shouldn’t I get a refund for the syrup when I order a milk tea with five-sugar?” This viewpoint has garnered much support from consumers.
Many netizens have expressed that if adding sugar comes at a cost, then those who choose less sugar or no sugar should logically enjoy a price discount. Online voices have included calls like “refund two RMB for every pump not added,” “charge only half price if no sugar is added,” and even suggestions that different sweetness levels — such as full sugar, seven-tenths sugar, and five-tenths sugar — should be priced differently.
This debate over the pricing logic of tea drinks highlights consumers’ growing attention to the cost structures behind their beverages. Industry insiders point out that syrup costs make up a certain proportion of the total cost of tea drinks, especially for special-flavor syrups like the Navy Blue Salt Rock Sugar product, whose unit cost can be several times that of regular syrup. As such, it is reasonable for businesses to charge extra for special flavorings, though this also raises questions about fairness.
Experts suggest that when ordering tea drinks, consumers should proactively inquire about the pricing standards for special flavor items and understand the difference between syrups and ordinary seasonings. Customers with specific sweetness preferences may also consider discussing adjusted sugar levels directly with the shop, or choosing the standard sweetness level and making their own adjustments afterward. At the same time, businesses should provide clearer labeling on the cost and pricing rationale of each seasoning item to reduce consumer misunderstandings.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
