Introduction:Recently, several consumers have reported that the "Little Butter" series beverages launched as a collaboration between Luckin Coffee and Butter Bear have a noticeable sheepy or gamy smell, sparking widespread discussion in the market. The once well-received Little Butter Latte and Little Butter Americano, known for their sweet popcorn-like aroma, have been noted in multiple regions to exhibit unusual flavors since being upgraded to French President Butter in February of this year. This article delves into the origins of the incident, explores possible causes, and offers advice for affected consumers.

Recently, many regular customers of Luckin Coffee have shared on social media platforms that their favorite Little Butter series drinks have developed an unacceptable sheepy odor. This series, initially launched in October last year in collaboration with the popular Thai IP Butter Bear, was originally based on New Zealand butter and was well received by consumers.

In February of this year, Luckin once again partnered with Butter Bear and announced the upgrade from the original New Zealand butter to imported French President Butter. The new formula was initially widely praised for its sweet, popcorn-like aroma and quickly became a staple choice for many customers.

However, recently in regions including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Shaanxi, and Chongqing, numerous consumers have reported that the Little Butter Latte and Little Butter Americano they purchased—whether hot or iced—emit a fishy, sheep-like smell that is off-putting.

Some consumers initially suspected that the issue was due to their own taste perception or a one-off mistake at a particular store. But when they ordered the same drink at different branches, they still encountered the same unusual odor, leading many to wonder if it might be related to a specific batch of ingredients or a change in the recipe.

In response to consumer concerns, Luckin’s customer service did not directly address whether the recipe had been adjusted. They merely suggested that customers could report any unpleasant odors to the service team. According to staff at multiple stores, they had not changed the ingredients during preparation nor received any notice regarding adjustments to the formula.

In addition, the staff emphasized that all raw materials, including the butter silk, are strictly managed according to regulations regarding expiration dates. Any items that exceed their shelf life must be discarded under supervision, making it unlikely that expired materials are the cause of the odor issue.

Nevertheless, the fact that consumers in multiple locations have reported similar problems has led to one of the main speculations being whether a specific batch of ingredients may have been abnormal. Some netizens believe that there may have been quality fluctuations in a certain batch of butter or coffee beans, with some even questioning whether the supplier has been changed.

Experts point out that a sheepy smell is usually related to the oxidation of fatty acids in dairy products or improper storage. If the butter experienced unstable temperature control during transportation or storage, it could lead to flavor degradation. In addition, if the coffee beans have been stored for too long after roasting or have come into contact with other odorous substances, it may also affect the final aroma of the beverage.

For consumers, if they encounter a similar situation, it is recommended to immediately inform the store staff, take photos or videos as evidence, and follow up through the official customer service channels. If the same issue occurs across multiple purchases, it may also be advisable to temporarily switch to other drinks to avoid potential risks associated with batch abnormalities.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.