Core Insights - The price of kale has surged from 0.8 yuan per jin two years ago to 3.5 yuan per jin, indicating a significant increase in demand for kale-based products [1] - New products featuring kale, such as Heytea's "Slimming Bottle," have quickly gained popularity, with 100,000 jin of kale consumed in a month, and Luckin Coffee's kale tea selling 11.2 million cups in just two weeks [1] Group 1: Nutritional Value and Perception - Kale is a nutrient-rich vegetable, high in dietary fiber, vitamin C, and calcium, but it does not have magical weight-loss properties [3][5] - The consumption of kale juice can lead to the loss of dietary fiber and minerals, and many kale-based drinks are often high in calories due to added ingredients [3][4] - The perception of kale as a health food is largely driven by marketing, rather than its actual health benefits [6][8] Group 2: Marketing and Consumer Behavior - The marketing of kale products often emphasizes terms like "slim" and "light," which may mislead consumers regarding their health benefits [6][9] - Young consumers are increasingly drawn to kale products due to their trendy branding and perceived health benefits, despite the lack of substantial evidence supporting these claims [10] - The market for light meals in China has grown significantly, with over 14,000 related businesses established, and a high percentage of consumers regularly consuming light foods [10][11]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rise of kale as a "superfood" in the beverage industry, particularly in China, driven by marketing strategies from tea brands that transformed it from a little-known ornamental plant to a popular ingredient in drinks [4][6][16]. Group 1: Kale's Transformation - Initially, kale was considered an ornamental plant with no known edible records, but by 2025, it became a sought-after "superfood" with numerous health benefits attributed to it, such as antioxidant properties and potential cancer-fighting capabilities [4][5]. - The price of kale surged dramatically, with its acquisition price increasing from 0.8 yuan per pound in 2024 to 3.5 yuan per pound in 2025, marking a rise of over 300% [5][6]. - The domestic market share of kale shifted from 5% to 55% as tea brands began to source it for their products, indicating a significant change in consumer demand [7]. Group 2: Marketing Strategies - Tea brands adopted a marketing strategy that combined novelty, taste adjustment, and health benefits to promote kale, similar to the successful marketing tactics used in the West [16][20]. - The launch of "Champion Slimming Bottle" by Heytea during the Paris Olympics linked kale to health and fitness, leveraging athlete endorsements to enhance its appeal [21][22]. - The health narrative around kale was emphasized, with products marketed as "superfoods" and backed by nutritional reports, appealing to consumers' desire for healthier beverage options [25][26]. Group 3: Industry Trends - The trend of utilizing niche ingredients like kale has been observed across the beverage industry, with various brands successfully launching products featuring unique ingredients to create buzz and drive sales [28][29]. - The article highlights that the beverage industry is characterized by high competition and product homogeneity, making the discovery of niche ingredients a necessary strategy for brands to differentiate themselves [36]. - In 2024, major tea brands introduced over 2,600 new products, indicating a continuous effort to innovate and attract consumers through new flavors and ingredients [38].

Core Insights - Kale has emerged as a trending superfood in 2024, with significant social media engagement and a dramatic increase in purchase prices, indicating a growing consumer interest [1][3] - The rise of kale is attributed to innovative marketing strategies by brands like Heytea, which launched kale-based drinks that quickly gained popularity [7][8] - Despite the initial success, the market is becoming saturated with similar products, leading to concerns about differentiation and sustainability for brands like Heytea [12][15] Group 1: Market Trends - In 2024, kale-related content on Douyin reached over 1.48 billion views, highlighting its popularity as a superfood [1] - The purchase price of kale surged from 0.8 yuan per jin in 2024 to 3.5 yuan per jin in March 2025, marking an increase of over 300% [1] - The tea beverage market is entering a phase of reduced growth, with predictions of a decline in market growth rate from 6.4% in 2024 to 1.5% by 2028 [14] Group 2: Brand Strategies - Heytea launched its first kale drink, "Champion Slimming Bottle," during the 2024 Paris Olympics, achieving sales of over 10 million bottles within a month and a half [7][8] - The brand has introduced the concept of "super plant tea," aiming to differentiate itself in a crowded market by focusing on unique ingredients [8][12] - In response to market saturation, Heytea has reduced its collaboration frequency, from 19 partnerships in 2023 to 14 in 2024, indicating a shift towards a more focused brand strategy [12] Group 3: Industry Challenges - The tea beverage industry is facing challenges such as high product homogeneity and declining profit margins, leading to a need for brands to innovate beyond price competition [15][16] - The rapid introduction of similar kale-based products by competitors suggests a trend of imitation rather than true innovation, raising questions about long-term brand differentiation [16][17] - Heytea's internal communications reflect a strategic pivot away from aggressive expansion and price wars, emphasizing the importance of brand value and consumer engagement [11][13]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transformation of kale from a decorative plant to a "superfood" in the tea beverage industry, driven by marketing strategies and consumer health trends [3][4][5]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - In 2025, kale's price surged from 0.8 yuan per pound in 2024 to 3.5 yuan per pound, marking an increase of over 300% [3]. - The domestic market share of kale shifted from 5% to 55% as farmers pivoted from export to domestic sales due to increased demand from tea brands [4]. - The tea beverage industry has seen a trend of utilizing niche ingredients to create popular products, with kale being the latest example [26]. Group 2: Marketing Strategies - Tea brands have adopted a marketing approach that combines novelty, taste, and health benefits to elevate kale's status [15][24]. - The launch of "Champion Slimming Bottle" by Heytea in July 2024 marked the first major product featuring kale, coinciding with the Paris Olympics to enhance its appeal [16][21]. - The health narrative surrounding kale has been emphasized, with claims of its benefits such as weight loss and detoxification, appealing to health-conscious consumers [24]. Group 3: Historical Context - Kale has a long history, dating back to 600 BC, but its popularity in the U.S. surged only in the last decade, particularly after being featured in Beyoncé's music video in 2014 [6][7]. - Prior to its rise, kale was primarily used as animal feed or for decoration in restaurants, with its culinary use being limited [10][11]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The tea beverage market is characterized by high competition and product homogeneity, leading brands to continuously seek out unique ingredients to differentiate themselves [34]. - Following the success of kale, other tea brands quickly introduced their own kale-based products, indicating a trend of imitation within the industry [33]. Group 5: Financial Performance - In 2024, major tea brands reported varying revenue growth, with marketing expenses consistently increasing across the board, highlighting the importance of maintaining consumer interest [35].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the transformation of kale from a decorative plant to a "superfood" in the beverage industry, driven by marketing strategies and consumer health trends [3][4][5]. Group 1: Kale's Rise in Popularity - In 2025, kale transitioned from being a decorative plant to a sought-after superfood, praised for its nutritional benefits such as antioxidant properties and potential cancer-fighting abilities [3][4]. - The price of kale surged from 0.8 yuan per pound in 2024 to 3.5 yuan per pound in 2025, marking an increase of over 300% [4]. - The domestic market share of kale increased from 5% to 55% as tea brands began to source it for their products [4][5]. Group 2: Marketing Strategies - The marketing success of kale in the U.S. was largely due to strategic promotion by the American Kale Association, which utilized social media to enhance its visibility [12][14]. - Celebrities and cooking tutorials played a significant role in popularizing kale, transforming it from a lowly vegetable to a trendy food item among the middle class [15][17]. - In China, tea brands adopted similar marketing tactics, associating kale with health and fitness, particularly during the Paris Olympics [18][19]. Group 3: Consumer Trends and Product Development - The tea industry has seen a trend towards health-conscious products, with brands emphasizing the nutritional benefits of kale to attract consumers concerned about weight gain [21][22]. - The introduction of kale-based products, such as the "Champion Slimming Bottle," generated significant sales, with over 1.6 million bottles sold within ten days [22]. - The trend of using niche ingredients like kale is not unique; other ingredients such as avocado and oil fruit have also gained popularity through similar marketing strategies [24][30]. Group 4: Industry Dynamics - The beverage industry is characterized by high competition and product homogeneity, leading brands to continuously seek out unique ingredients to differentiate themselves [30][31]. - Despite the initial success of niche ingredients, the industry often sees a rapid influx of similar products from competitors, diluting the uniqueness of the original offering [29][30]. - The article highlights that while niche ingredients can drive short-term sales, they may not provide sustainable differentiation in a crowded market [34][37].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rise of "superfoods" in the market, highlighting their marketing appeal and the trend of food brands incorporating these ingredients into their products to attract consumers [5][19][33]. Group 1: Definition and Popularity of Superfoods - "Superfood" is a vague term originating from the West, referring to foods rich in certain nutrients, but lacks a strict scientific definition [13][15]. - The popularity of superfoods has surged recently, with various brands launching products featuring ingredients like kale, beetroot, and turmeric, which are marketed for their health benefits [6][7][10]. - A significant factor in the rise of superfoods is a 2022 article from Harvard Health that listed ten superfoods, which gained traction on social media and contributed to the perception of these foods as health-enhancing [20][23]. Group 2: Market Trends and Brand Strategies - In the past year, many food and beverage brands have introduced new products centered around superfoods, with notable examples including Heytea's kale-based drink and various offerings from other tea brands [6][7][10]. - The trend has expanded beyond beverages to include snacks and meal replacements, with brands like White Elephant and Wang Baobao launching products that emphasize the health benefits of superfoods [10][26]. - Social media data indicates that the most common associations with superfoods have shifted from weight loss to nutrition, reflecting a broader acceptance of these ingredients in everyday diets [29]. Group 3: Historical Context and Marketing Dynamics - The article traces the historical context of superfoods, noting that many have undergone similar marketing transformations in the past, such as bananas and avocados, which were once considered difficult to sell but became popular through strategic marketing [35][37]. - The marketing of superfoods often emphasizes their health benefits while downplaying their historical challenges in gaining consumer acceptance, suggesting that the appeal of superfoods is as much about marketing as it is about nutrition [33][40].