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Milk tea craze is bringing out all China’s wrongs
It tells the tale of an economy defined and scarred by hyper competition – and burnout.
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This milk tea culture also tells the tale of an economy defined and scarred by hyper competition.
PHOTO: PEXELS
Shuli Ren
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People still spend money on small indulgences during economic downturns. If Chanel lipstick is the go-to item for women, milk tea drinks are soothing China’s urban youth, who are dealing with stubbornly high unemployment.
Shops selling freshly made milk tea are just about on every street corner across the country. Some concoctions are essentially milk shakes with chewy tapioca pearls, or bubbles. Others may have fresh fruit added to the brew. Customers can choose green, black or herbal tea, and the topping – whipped cream or cheese – among others. In 2023, there were about 420,000 stores nationwide, generating 247 billion yuan (S$46 billion) in sales.
