Introduction:Luckin Coffee recently launched regionally limited fresh-cut fruit beverages in Shenzhen and Chengdu, preparing fresh fruits on-site at stores for the first time, including freshly sliced lemon slices and washed strawberries. This change has sparked curiosity among consumers about whether the stores have the necessary equipment and hygiene standards, with employees also sharing photos of slicing tools and fruit preparation processes. This article takes an in-depth look at the features of these new drinks, how employees actually handle them, and the polarized feedback from the public.
Luckin Coffee has recently introduced two region-exclusive new drinks in Shenzhen and Chengdu, preparing fresh fruits in-store for the first time, generating considerable discussion. In Shenzhen, three lemon-based beverages — “Daily Fresh Lemon Tea,” “Large Fruit Grape Fresh Lemon Tea,” and “Lemon Jasmine Americano” — all feature freshly sliced lemon slices prepared that day; Chengdu has launched “Cheese Berry Sorbet,” which includes washed fresh strawberries. Unlike past use of freeze-dried fruit pieces, this time fresh fruits are used, elevating the flavor of the drinks to a new level.
In the past, while Luckin’s fruit tea beverages occasionally featured fruit chunks, they were mostly freeze-dried decorations that had limited impact on overall taste. Now, the addition of freshly sliced lemon slices and fresh strawberries has come as a refreshing change for many consumers, also sparking curiosity about whether the stores are equipped to handle fresh-cut fruits. Some customers questioned whether stores, which previously rarely had tools such as knives or cutting boards, let alone dedicated refrigeration facilities, could ensure the freshness and hygiene of the fruits.
In response to these concerns, employees in Shenzhen and Chengdu shared photos on social platforms of incoming fruits, including lemons, strawberries, and oranges, and showcased newly equipped fruit slicers, even sharing operation videos. It is understood that besides making regular drinks, store staff are also responsible for selecting, washing, and slicing the fruits, and any pre-sliced fruits not used within their shelf life must be discarded immediately to maintain quality.
These operational scenes have also confirmed earlier community rumors about Luckin introducing fresh-cut fruits. However, employees in non-limited regions reacted indifferently, with most stating they did not want these new drinks introduced to their stores, bluntly saying “go away, don’t come here,” showing concerns over additional procedures and hygiene management.
Netizens hold mixed views on this adjustment. Some consumers expressed surprise, believing that fresh-cut fruits elevate the drinks’ quality and suggested a nationwide rollout so more people can enjoy fruit teas and coffee with freshly sliced lemon or strawberries. However, some comments pointed out that despite the addition of fresh fruit, the main flavors of the drinks still come from ingredients like lemon syrup and frozen juice, arguing that the actual changes are of limited significance.
Additionally, some users are concerned that with the arrival of summer, handling fresh-cut fruits may increase the risk of fruit flies and other flying insects, raising questions about hygiene management at semi-open counters. How to balance freshness, flavor, and operational hygiene will be an important challenge for Luckin in promoting similar drinks in the future.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
