Core Insights - The innovative dessert "Milk Skin Candy Hawthorn" has rapidly gained popularity, becoming a trending item across various cities in China, with significant social media engagement and long queues at stores [1][4][6] Group 1: Product Popularity - The product has seen a surge in demand, with related posts on Xiaohongshu reaching hundreds of thousands and Douyin views exceeding 600 million [1] - In Shanghai, the offline price for a single Milk Skin Candy Hawthorn is 48 yuan, while online prices have soared to 99 yuan, indicating a strong market demand despite high prices [6][8] Group 2: Product Differentiation - The Milk Skin Candy Hawthorn features two key upgrades: a layer of milk skin made from fresh milk that enhances flavor and texture, and the introduction of various innovative fillings beyond traditional hawthorn [9][10] - The dessert offers a multi-layered taste experience, combining crispy outer sugar coating, soft and fragrant milk skin, and juicy fruit fillings, appealing to both taste and visual aesthetics [10][11] Group 3: Market Expansion - The success of Milk Skin Candy Hawthorn has prompted tea and bakery brands to explore "Milk Skin +" product lines, integrating milk skin into various offerings, such as drinks and baked goods [12][18] - New products like milk skin-infused teas and cakes have emerged, demonstrating the versatility and market appeal of milk skin across different food categories [20][21] Group 4: Industry Challenges - The lack of standardization in defining "milk skin" poses a challenge for the industry, as different brands interpret and utilize the ingredient in various ways [40] - High production costs and fluctuating raw material prices hinder the widespread adoption of milk skin products, with significant resource loss during production [41] - The high-fat content of milk skin may conflict with current health trends, and the reliance on social media for sales raises concerns about long-term consumer loyalty [42][43] Group 5: Future Outlook - The milk skin phenomenon illustrates the potential for local specialty ingredients to create market excitement, suggesting a replicable model for future food innovations [44][45]