Introduction:Recently, Chagee has drawn consumer attention due to the caffeine content in its beverages, with multiple cases of insomnia and palpitations prompting the brand to issue a public response. This article delves into the actual measured caffeine data of a cup of original leaf tea drink, compares it with that of a latte and an Americano, explores the synergistic effects of various components in tea leaves, and tracks the market reaction following a sharp drop of over 15% in the brand’s U.S. stock price, offering practical advice for consumers seeking low-caffeine beverage options.

Chagee has recently been embroiled in a controversy over caffeine content. On December 26, a Zhihu user posted a message questioning the brand, claiming that its high-concentration tea drinks were akin to “skirting the line of quasi-drugs,” sparking widespread online discussion. Subsequently, the topic “Chagee Caffeine” quickly trended, with many consumers sharing experiences of insomnia and palpitations after consumption, questioning the allegedly high caffeine levels in the drinks.

Some users reported difficulty falling asleep or experiencing heart palpitations, believing the caffeine proportion in the tea drinks might exceed safe limits; however, other consumers stated they experienced no discomfort, attributing this to individual physical differences. Notably, Chagee clearly indicates caffeine content on both product pages and labels, advising those sensitive to caffeine to opt for low-caffeine products to avoid discomfort.

In response to the escalating public discourse, Chagee issued a statement around noon on the 26th, noting that it had taken notice of rumors and misinformation circulating online and emphasized that its legal department had become involved, with legal action to be taken against any malicious acts damaging the brand’s reputation. Although the original controversial post was subsequently deleted, public concerns about caffeine content in tea drinks have not subsided.

That evening, the brand further responded via its official Weibo account with a detailed post. The statement pointed out that, according to publicly available data and test results, the caffeine content in a cup of freshly brewed original leaf tea drink, calculated per 100ml of equivalent volume,is roughly comparable to that of a latte and lower than that of an Americano.This data provides consumers with a more referential basis for comparison.

Chagee further explained that in addition to caffeine, tea leaves contain a variety of active components such as tea polyphenols and amino acids, as well as mineral elements like potassium, manganese, magnesium, and zinc.These components work synergistically with caffeine to create a mild and complex balance,helping to mitigate the stimulating effects that might otherwise arise from caffeine intake alone.

This controversy also had a significant impact on the brand’s stock price. On December 26, Chagee’s U.S. shares fell by over 15% at one point, hitting their lowest level since the company went public in April of this year, with market value evaporating by over $200 million. By the end of trading that day, the total market value had dropped to $2.18 billion, drawing widespread market attention, and the topic “Chagee Shares Plunge” even topped the hot search list on the morning of December 27.

Overall, this incident not only highlights growing consumer awareness regarding caffeine intake but also serves as a reminder for brands to enhance transparency in product labeling and communication. For consumers, understanding the caffeine content and component makeup of various tea drinks and selecting beverages suited to their own physical constitution are key steps in avoiding adverse reactions.

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