Tea And Coffee Industry Snapshot In China (July 15, 2026)

Mixue Bingcheng (蜜雪冰城) Debuts in SF Bay Area

Budget giant Mixue Bingcheng (蜜雪冰城) has officially entered the San Francisco Bay Area with its first store opening in Sunnyvale, California. The move marks a significant milestone in the brand’s US expansion, bringing its signature low-price menu to one of the most competitive beverage markets in the country. The brand now operates a total of 4,484 overseas locations.

Mixue Sunnyvale
(Mixue Bingcheng (蜜雪冰城) continues to scale its global footprint with its first Northern California location)

Naìsnow (奈雪的茶) Expands PET Sparkling Coffee Line

Expanding its Ready-to-Drink (RTD) offerings, Naìsnow (奈雪的茶) has launched a new line of sparkling Americano products in PET bottles. Featuring Calansi and Orange flavors, the beverages use screw-top caps to maintain carbonation and freshness, catering to the “grab-and-go” demand among urban commuters during the summer heat.

Baozhu Gong (煲珠公) Introduces Traditional “Rice Cap” Topping

Specialty chain Baozhu Gong (煲珠公) has launched its innovative “Rice Cap” series, featuring Matcha and Watermelon drinks topped with a layer of steamed glutinous rice from Guangxi. Priced at 15.9 RMB, the series combines traditional southern Chinese breakfast elements with modern milk tea trends.

Baozhu Gong Product
(Baozhu Gong (煲珠公) differentiates its menu through unique, regional-sourced ingredient innovations)

DongFangMengLan (东方盟兰) Celebrates 1st Anniversary in Dongguan

Regional brand DongFangMengLan (东方盟兰) has celebrated its first anniversary in Dongguan, reporting a total GMV of 921,700 RMB across its 11 local stores. The brand’s success highlights the potential for localized boutique tea chains to thrive in high-density industrial hubs.

MaiJi Milk (麦记牛奶) Faces Ownership Transition Rumors

Industry reports suggest that MaiJi Milk (麦记牛奶) may be undergoing a significant ownership change amid a wave of store closures. The brand has seen a net growth of only 85 stores since the beginning of 2026, reaching a total of 1,085 locations, far below its initial annual expansion targets.

Jasmine Raw Material Prices Surge in Hengzhou

The cost of jasmine flowers in Hengzhou, China’s primary production base, has reportedly risen to approximately 50 RMB per jin. While the price hike is expected to pressure the margins of jasmine-focused tea brands, major suppliers have guaranteed no further increases for the next six months to maintain market stability.

Tea-Free Beverage Trend Sustains High Momentum

Data from June indicates that “tea-free and coffee-free” product launches remained at historical highs. Brands are increasingly diversifying into fruit juices, plant-based milk alternatives, and functional sparkling waters to capture the segment of consumers seeking refreshment without the caffeine kick.