Introduction:The "Wanxiang Chunhe" passion fruit Biluochun milk tea launched by Mixue Tea Brew, featuring a combination of Guangxi-grown passion fruit and a Biluochun tea base, is marketed for its refreshing, sweet, and mellow taste. However, many consumers have reported a noticeable bitterness upon drinking, with some even describing it as unpleasantly medicinal and hard to swallow. This article takes an in-depth look at the flavor profile of this new product, real consumer feedback, and possible reasons behind the bitterness, helping readers make more informed choices before purchasing.
Shortly after its recent listing on the NASDAQ in the United States, Mixue Tea Brew introduced an innovative fruit tea drink called "Wanxiang Chunhe," which combines locally sourced Guangxi passion fruit juice with the classic Biluochun tea base. According to the brand’s official description, this milk tea aims to present the sweet and fruity aroma of passion fruit while retaining the delicate tea flavor unique to Biluochun, paired with smooth creaminess to create a layered and modern tea beverage.
From market feedback, some consumers had a fairly positive first impression of this new product. Initial sips did indeed deliver the freshness and sweetness promoted by the brand, reminiscent of the nostalgic flavor of childhood yogurt drinks, briefly evoking youthful memories.
However, as the drink lingered in the mouth a little longer, many drinkers began to notice something off. Some customers described that after the initial burst of passion fruit fragrance, a distinct bitterness gradually emerged. This bitter note didn’t stem from a lack of sugar but rather a jarring astringency mixed within the sweetness, lingering even after swallowing.
Many consumers shared their mixed feelings about this milk tea on social media. Some bluntly said it was “more bitter than my life,” while others described a lingering bitter and astringent aftertaste in the throat, akin to the residue of cold medicine. More observant customers noted that the bitterness had a roughness reminiscent of unfiltered tea residue, significantly detracting from the overall drinking experience.
In response to this wave of “bitterness controversy,” netizens engaged in heated discussions. Some observers pointed out that the issue might lie in the handling of the Biluochun tea base. As a tender bud tea, Biluochun can easily release excessive tannic acid if steeped too long, resulting in noticeable astringency. If Mixue Tea Brew stores slightly misjudge the tea extraction time or temperature control, what should be an elegant tea aroma could turn into an overwhelming bitterness.
However, many loyal customers have defended the new product. They said that as long as you follow the officially recommended sweetness level (such as choosing regular sugar or half sugar) and temperature (cold drinks usually better highlight the fruit aroma), the overall flavor is actually quite smooth, with the bitterness not being particularly noticeable. This also shows that how the drink turns out is closely related to individual order choices.
Additionally, subjective differences in taste perception are a significant factor contributing to the polarized reviews. Some consumers are particularly sensitive to the slight bitterness in tea leaves, noticing even small amounts of tannic acid, while others are more drawn to the sweet and sour flavor of passion fruit and pay little mind to the subtle astringency in the background. Therefore, whether the "Wanxiang Chunhe" milk tea tastes fresh and sweet or bitter and hard to drink often depends on each drinker’s taste preferences.
In summary, while Mixue Tea Brew’s new product combining passion fruit and Biluochun has received some praise in terms of creativity and concept, there is still room for improvement in its actual flavor performance. Consumers are advised to pay attention to the choice of tea base and sweetness adjustment when ordering, or to try a small size first before deciding whether to add it to their regular order list. After all, an ideal fruit tea should strike a balance between fresh fruit aroma and tea flavor, rather than letting the bitterness take center stage.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
