Core Insights - The "Super Plant Tea" series from Heytea has sold over 100 million cups since its launch one year ago, utilizing nearly 3 million pounds of fresh kale [1][3] - The series has sparked a consumer trend, making kale a popular ingredient in the beverage industry, and has led to the introduction of eight new products in just six months [3][6] - Heytea's innovative approach has positioned it as a leader in the new tea beverage market, influencing product development trends across the industry [9][11] Product Development - Heytea launched the "Champion Slimming Bottle" during the 2024 Paris Olympics, which quickly became a bestseller and was later renamed the "Kale Slimming Bottle" [4] - The company has introduced several popular products, including the "Fire-Reducing Slimming Bottle" and "Beetroot Beauty Bottle," contributing to a total of eight new offerings in the past six months [6] - The introduction of the "Mati Energy Slimming Ice" marks the first use of mate tea in the "Super Plant Tea" series, enhancing consumer experience [6] Market Impact - The "Super Plant Tea" series has not only achieved high sales but has also influenced the direction of product innovation in the new tea beverage sector from 2024 to 2025 [9] - Kale has emerged as a trending ingredient, gaining visibility across various consumption scenarios, including tea, coffee, retail, and dining [9][11] - Heytea's commitment to quality has led to partnerships with high-standard planting bases to ensure zero pesticide residues in kale, establishing a traceable quality management system [11] Consumer Engagement - The "Kale Cucumber" bottled version of "Super Plant Tea" quickly became the top-selling new beverage at Sam's Club, indicating strong consumer demand [8] - The product has gained significant attention on social media, being frequently included in consumer "must-buy" lists [8] Industry Leadership - Heytea's differentiation strategy has allowed it to create multiple new product categories since its inception, with "Super Plant Tea" being the latest exploration [9] - The success of the "Super Plant Tea" series has prompted other brands to follow suit, incorporating super plants like kale and beetroot into their product lines [9][11]

Core Insights - The tea beverage industry is entering its peak consumption season in summer 2025, with a focus on product innovation and seasonal adaptation to meet consumer demand [1][20]. Product Launches - In July 2025, the top ten tea brands launched a total of 43 new products, averaging 1.4 new products per day, with a slight decrease from June [2][19]. - The leading brand, Gu Ming, introduced 8 new products, while Cha Bai Dao followed with 4 new products and 4 returning items [2][19]. - The trend of returning products included 3 classic summer limited editions and 3 upgraded versions of existing products [5][11]. Seasonal Trends - The new product categories in July were driven by seasonal and market demands, with fruit tea, light milk tea, and fruit-vegetable tea making up 73.7% of the offerings [6][19]. - Fruit tea was the most launched category with 13 new products, while fruit-vegetable tea saw a significant increase from 1 to 8 new products, indicating a strong focus on health [9][19]. Ingredient Usage - Jasmine tea was the most commonly used tea base, appearing in 20 products, with 15 of those featuring jasmine specifically [15][12]. - Cow's milk remained the primary dairy base, used in 7 products, while coconut milk and other specialty bases were used in smaller quantities [16][12]. - A total of 30 different fruits were used in new products, with lemon being the most prevalent, appearing in 14 products [19][12]. Market Dynamics - The overall product launch frequency remained consistent, with brands strategically timing releases to maximize consumer engagement and sales [5][20]. - The focus on health and refreshing flavors aligns with consumer preferences during the hot summer months, driving innovation in product offerings [19][20].

Group 1 - KKR is set to acquire a stake in Yuanjing International, which is believed to be linked to Dayao Beverage [1][2][3] - KKR will indirectly acquire 85% of Yuanjing International through a newly established special purpose company [3] - Yuanjing International holds a market share of 5% to 10% in the carbonated beverage market in China as of 2024, with Dayao Beverage ranking third at 2.42% [3][4] Group 2 - Dayao Beverage's market share has been gradually increasing, from 2.28% in 2023 to 2.64% in the first half of 2025 [5] - The carbonated beverage market is experiencing a contraction, with major players like Coca-Cola and Pepsi also reporting declining sales [4] - The potential sale to KKR raises questions about the classification of Dayao as a domestic brand [6]