Introduction:HEYTEA recently launched a limited-time drink at its Chunxi Road store in Chengdu called "Sichuan Pepper Dian Hong," which combines Sichuan-style seasonings. Topped with red Sichuan peppercorns, green Sichuan peppercorns, and strands of chili, the drink sparked heated discussion online. This article takes an in-depth look at the highlights of this innovative beverage’s recipe, real taste tests, and the polarized consumer reviews to help readers understand what makes this limited-time offering unique and how it has been received by the market.

HEYTEA has recently introduced a new limited-time product at its Chengdu Chunxi Road branch called "Sichuan Pepper Dian Hong." The most distinctive feature of this milk tea is its bold fusion of common Sichuan culinary spices such as red Sichuan peppercorns and green Sichuan peppercorns, with even chili strands used as garnish on the whipped cream topping—making it a challenging experience for both the eyes and the palate.

According to official information, the inspiration for this new product comes from the food culture of the Sichuan-Yunnan region. It incorporates Han Yuan red Sichuan peppercorns, Jinyang green Sichuan peppercorns, and Yunnan long pepper (pronounced bì bá, a common spice also used in traditional Chinese medicine) into a specially prepared yellow buckwheat milk with numbing and spicy notes, paired with Dian Hong tea broth. It is then topped with the brand’s signature whipped cream cloud, decorated with honeycomb crunch and chili strands.

Many netizens, upon first seeing the drink, suspected it was a photoshopped creative work. While HEYTEA is known for its innovation, they didn’t expect the brand to release something with such an “intense flavor profile.” However, after the official release of detailed information, the public confirmed that this “chili milk tea” does indeed exist and is currently available only as a limited-time offering in the Chengdu area.

Addressing concerns about spiciness, HEYTEA clarified that the chili strands on the whipped cream topping are mainly for aroma enhancement and do not actually deliver a strong kick. The overall flavor is mellow. In addition, the brand thoughtfully offers a “spicier numbing version” for customers who prefer stronger flavors, allowing for more flexible taste customization.

Actually, incorporating seasonings into milk tea isn’t entirely new—many independent cafes or tea beverage brands have previously launched similar creative products, such as whipped cream toppings with chili or Sichuan pepper-flavored lattes. But when a well-known chain brand like HEYTEA releases one, it still comes as a pleasant surprise. This time, the "Sichuan Pepper Dian Hong" has been dubbed by netizens as the “new dark cuisine star of the milk tea world,” receiving highly polarized reviews.

Online comments show a range of reactions. Some find the drink quite challenging: although it may look like “milk tea mixed with hotpot base,” the actual taste doesn’t deliver the expected spiciness. Instead, it offers a unique aroma and layered flavor, with some even saying they’d like to try it again. However, other consumers admit that the first sip was a shock, requiring serious courage to continue drinking—and they suggest that people mentally prepare themselves beforehand.

Due to the relatively niche acceptance of numbing-spicy flavors, HEYTEA did not roll out this new product nationwide but chose to conduct a limited-time trial sale in Chengdu—a city renowned for its spicy and numbing cuisine. This decision left many fans of Sichuan-flavored milk tea disappointed, with many leaving comments on the brand’s official social media pages, hoping to try this uniquely flavored product in more regions in the future.

Overall, "Sichuan Pepper Dian Hong" is a bold market test as well as the brand’s tribute to and innovative take on local food culture. Whether or not you’re daring enough to try this “Sichuan pepper milk tea,” it has already become a noteworthy topic in the recent tea beverage scene.

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