Introduction:Luckin Coffee’s “upgraded” version of the Little Butter Latte, launched in a second collaboration with the popular Thai IP Butter Bear, has sparked widespread discussion. The brand claims that switching to French President butter enhances the richness of the flavor, but consumer feedback is divided, and some employees have revealed that the actual ingredients remain unchanged. This article delves into the truth behind this “upgrade,” examining differences in ingredients, flavor experiences, and market reactions to help you understand the real performance of this popular drink.
Luckin Coffee has once again partnered with the trending Thai IP Butter Bear to release an upgraded version of the Little Butter series beverages. The brand states that the main upgrade lies in the ingredients—replacing the previously used New Zealand-imported anhydrous butter with French-imported President butter, which is said to deliver a richer and creamier taste experience.
However, this so-called “upgrade” has drawn mixed reactions from consumers. Some users find the new flavor indeed fresher and less greasy, while many others say it tastes almost identical to the old version, with some even noting increased sweetness and a less satisfying flavor. Numerous online comments state: “Tastes exactly the same,” “Can’t tell any difference at all,” “The sweetness is actually more noticeable.”
As consumer doubts grew, an insider from Luckin revealed that the ingredients for the “upgraded” Little Butter Latte have not actually changed—only the packaging has been updated. It is claimed that the buttery velvet-flavored milk used in the drink still comes from the original supplier and the brand remains unchanged. This has left many fans who were expecting a breakthrough in flavor feeling disappointed, believing the brand is merely creating the illusion of an “upgrade” through packaging and marketing.
Multiple store employees stated that they received no notifications about any changes to the recipe during preparation, and the ingredients used are exactly the same as before. “The ingredients are the same as before,” “The recipe hasn’t changed at all, just the packaging,” “The supplies we get in the store are the same, no one’s mentioned an upgrade.” These firsthand accounts from production staff further fuel skepticism about the authenticity of this “upgrade.”
Consumer feedback after testing also varies. Some users feel the new version is sweeter and more cloying, while others sense the overall flavor has become lighter, not much different from the old version they remember. Many fans have said: “Tastes just like the old one,” “No change at all, still the same one I remember,” “The sweetness seems more obvious, but there’s not much improvement in the butter flavor.”
This incident has also sparked discussions about Luckin’s collaboration strategy. Observers note that Luckin has frequently re-collaborated with IPs it has worked with before, launching limited-time new products, but with limited innovation that fails to excite consumers. Some users believe the brand may be resorting to “reheating old material” to sustain the buzz around collaborations, given the limited availability of new, popular IPs.
However, some loyal fans say they are still willing to support their favorite collaboration series, even if it’s just a packaging update, as long as the flavor remains consistent and the quality stays the same. For an IP like Butter Bear that generates buzz, consumers care not only about flavor but also about collectible value and emotional connection.
In summary, there is a gap between Luckin’s official claims and the actual experience of the upgraded Little Butter Latte, with the question of whether the ingredients have truly changed becoming the main point of controversy. For coffee enthusiasts, understanding the ingredients and flavor logic behind the beverage can help make choices that better suit personal taste. If you’re looking for a clear breakthrough in flavor, you might need to wait for the brand to introduce more concrete innovations in ingredients and production processes in the future.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
