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]

2012年，天津北宁公园东门附近的绿化带里，种植了一批新的景观植物。这种观赏植物因为形似"大白 菜"，才种上3-4天，就被人挖走了近百棵。 眼瞅着绿化带就要被薅秃了，当地园林部门，赶紧找到本地都市报的记者，面向市民们做起了科普： 所谓的"大白菜"，其实是一种观赏花，"它有个十分好听的名字，叫作 羽衣甘蓝 "。 虽然长得像"大白菜"，但"目前的花卉研究资料中，并没有这种花的食用记录"。因此，园林部门提醒广 大市民—— "不要擅自采摘，更不要用于做菜，以免出现不良反应，造成不必要的损失" [1]。 园林工人在绿化带里清理羽衣甘蓝，威海，2023年 但谁能想到，到了2025年，羽衣甘蓝不仅成功从绿化带翻身跃上了餐桌，还活成了领先普通蔬菜几个 版本的 —— 超级食物 。 在社交媒体的相关讨论中，羽衣甘蓝不是一种食物，而是一种对标"保健品"的存在。相比吃起来，味道 咋样？大家讨论的重点往往是——吃了，人会咋样？ 围绕着"超级食物"富含营养这一个核心，在社交媒体上，羽衣甘蓝被赋予了太多神奇功效——抗氧化、 抗炎、促进消化、去火、补钙，甚至是——抗癌。 可以说，能引起现代人"健康焦虑"的常见痛点，羽衣甘蓝几乎都轻松拿捏 。 ...

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].