Introduction:Heytea has launched the "Detox & Slim Bottle" based on kale and bitter melon, emphasizing low calories and a refreshing taste, quickly attracting health-conscious young consumers. This new product is the second installment in the "Super Plant Tea" series. We break down its ingredient combinations, calorie data, real consumer reviews, and also reveal the actual impact this viral drink has had on store preparation processes.

Heytea recently introduced the new "Detox & Slim Bottle" as the second product in its "Super Plant Tea" series, primarily based on kale and bitter melon, complemented by apple, lemonade, tea broth, and pomelo pearls. The brand emphasizes the use of 100% fresh ingredients juiced on-site, with no added concentrated juice. Each bottle contains about 100 calories, roughly equivalent to the calorie content of a medium-sized apple.

On the first day of its launch, this new drink received widespread positive feedback from young consumers. Many customers initially approached it with the mindset of "trying something bitter," but were pleasantly surprised by its unexpectedly refreshing taste. Numerous netizens shared that even if they weren’t particularly fond of bitter melon, they could easily accept this drink because the bitterness was significantly toned down, with the overall flavor leaning more toward fruity and fresh herbal notes.

According to consumer feedback, choosing the lightly sweetened or unsweetened versions highlights the slight natural acidity and mild bitterness from the pomelo pearls, which actually becomes a highlight. A small amount of fiber settling at the bottom of the bottle is normal and does not affect the drinking experience. Industry insiders analyze that its low bitterness may stem from the pre-blanching process of the bitter melon, along with the overall flavor profile being balanced by the apple and pomelo components.

It’s worth noting that although it’s called the "Detox & Slim Bottle," many customers feel its taste is quite similar to the earlier basic "Kale" drink, with the main difference being a slightly higher level of overall refreshment. The concept of "detox," as officially explained, is aimed at regulating common feelings of internal heat and stress in modern life, rather than referring to any specific effects in traditional Chinese medicine theory.

This is not Heytea’s first foray into the plant-based beverage category. Earlier this summer, the brand collaborated with Anta Champions to launch the first "Champion Slim Bottle," which featured kale originating from the Mediterranean as its highlight, riding the wave of the sports and health trend to achieve good market response. Statistics show that the first kale slim bottle sold over 10 million bottles within one and a half months, indicating that young consumers are increasingly accepting vegetable and fruit drinks that combine a healthy image with a pleasant taste.

However, as the "Detox & Slim Bottle" continues to sell well, stores are facing unprecedented production pressure. The primary challenge comes from the pre-processing of apples: each drink requires a large amount of freshly juiced apple, leading to frequent cleaning and juicing in the store’s back kitchen. According to on-site staff, the time spent washing and juicing apples has significantly increased, with an average of one basket of apples used every three minutes, and inventory turnover speeding up noticeably—some stores have even experienced supply shortages.

In addition, the combination of bitter melon and various fruits means the preparation process is more complicated than that of regular drinks. Some employees admitted that during morning peak hours, the fruit preparation area is often piled high with unprocessed apples and other ingredients, and the workload for cutting fruit has multiplied, adding further strain to an already tight store production process. Some netizens joke that to ensure a stable supply of this popular slim bottle, stores might need to add at least three more kitchen staff to cope.

Nutrition experts point out that both kale and bitter melon are high-fiber, low-calorie ingredients. The former is rich in vitamin K, calcium, and antioxidants, while the latter contains various phytochemicals beneficial to metabolism. Paired with apple and lemon, aside from enhancing flavor, they also provide additional dietary fiber and vitamin C. However, for those managing blood sugar levels or with specific dietary needs, it is still recommended to choose the unsweetened version and pay attention to daily total intake.

Overall, Heytea’s innovative plant-based tea beverage, with its refreshing taste and relatively healthy positioning, has successfully attracted urban consumers who care about wellness but don’t want to sacrifice flavor. But alongside the product’s popularity, operational challenges in stores have also emerged, highlighting the importance of overall coordination—from R&D to logistical support—during the development of new beverages.

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