Introduction:Last year’s wildly popular Luckin Coffee “Big Frozen Pear Americano” captured the hearts of many coffee enthusiasts, but this year’s follow-up, the “Big Winter Pear Americano,” has been criticized by fans for tasting different. What exactly changed in the key ingredients of this new drink that replaces concentrated fruit syrup with fresh pear juice? How do coffee aficionados and newcomers alike rate it? This article takes you deep into the truth and controversy behind this winter special.

Last winter, a traditionally black-colored fruit from Northeast China called “frozen pear” suddenly became a hot topic on social media. It not only sparked nationwide discussion but also inspired chain coffee brands. Luckin’s “Big Frozen Pear Americano” launched that year, with its refreshing and unique taste, successfully won over many consumers and became a seasonal favorite.

Surprisingly, even after the original product was discontinued, a large number of loyal customers, dubbed “frozen pear fanatics,” couldn’t stop thinking about it. They frequently left comments on the official social media accounts, hoping to taste that unforgettable Americano again. In response to such enthusiastic feedback, Luckin finally launched a new winter-limited drink this season called the “Big Winter Pear Americano.”

However, when excited fans quickly placed their orders, many found that the taste of this new drink was far from the “white moonlight” they remembered. After carefully comparing the product information, they realized that this year’s version actually uses freshly squeezed juice from seasonal pears like Autumn Moon pears and Dangshan pears, completely abandoning the pear-flavored concentrated syrup used last year. The overall recipe and proportions have been significantly adjusted—it’s essentially an entirely new product.

Many long-time customers expressed extreme disappointment, believing they were getting the return of their beloved “Big Frozen Pear Americano,” only to receive a completely different drink.Some consumers directly stated: “Give me back the Big Frozen Pear Americano!” and “The Big Frozen Pear and the Big Winter Pear are completely different things!”They strongly urged the brand to consider bringing back the original recipe to meet the expectations of their loyal customers.

Interestingly, even first-time tasters of this new drink didn’t all give positive feedback. Because the new version uses a short-extracted concentrated coffee liquid paired with the bold flavor of fresh seasonal pears, the coffee’s aroma and bitterness are largely masked. The overall drink leans toward being sweet and mellow. Some consumers joked that it’s more like a “coffee-flavored candied pear soup,” which didn’t match their expected coffee experience.

Nevertheless, despite the controversies, some customers have gradually come to enjoy this new drink after trying it. They find that the sweet pear aroma and moderate coffee flavor blend well, offering a unique winter drinking experience. Some even hope the “Big Winter Pear Americano” will stay on the menu longer so they can continue enjoying this limited-time winter sweetness.

Overall, Luckin’s winter-limited “Big Winter Pear Americano,” while carrying forward the name that became a trend last year, features significantly different actual ingredients and flavor profiles. For those “frozen pear fanatics” seeking the authentic original taste, this may be a disappointing change; but for consumers willing to try new flavors, this innovative drink that combines fresh pears and coffee offers a unique taste adventure.

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