Starbucks Introduces Savory Latte With Pork Breast In China

The extensive seasonal menu at Starbucks is one of the coffee giant's most iconic features. Along with typically sweet, approachable holiday coffee beverages, Starbucks is no stranger to experimenting with bold new flavors, like its olive oil-infused Oleato line. This year, Starbucks has mixed its knack for developing both limited-time items and unique flavor combinations in one extraordinary drink: a braised pork flavored latte made in honor of the Lunar New Year.

Available only in China, the drink's official name is the Abundant Year Savory Latte. It's made with espresso and milk like the average coffee beverage, only it's spiked and decorated with Dongpo Braised Pork Flavor Sauce and accompanied by a bite of real cooked pork. Pork carries a lot of significance during Lunar New Year, which is a month-long Chinese holiday observed by over a billion people every year. To those who celebrate, pork is a symbol of wealth and prosperity, hence the new drink's abundant name.

"We become truly global by elevating the brand in locally relevant ways for our partners (employees) and customers in every market we operate," said a spokesperson from Starbucks. "To celebrate the Lunar New Year, 25 Reserve stores across China have released limited time beverages that feature local flavor profiles and highlight traditional customs."

Considering the unusual blend of flavors, it's no surprise that the reaction to the Abundant Year Savory Latte has been less than unanimous. While some customers were impressed with the rich texture and one-of-a-kind taste, others doubted that consuming pork and coffee at once could result in anything but disaster. Though meat and espresso sounds like an unlikely pairing at first, it's not entirely unheard of. Coffee grounds are often used as a pork rub to bring an earthy, deliciously bitter flavor to the dish. (Try adding a few tablespoons of coffee grounds to your next slow cooked pull pork to experience the taste for yourself!)

Another issue customers have with the braised pork latte is the price. At 68 yuan, or $9.45 USD, many buyers think it's not worth the cost. As one person remarked via CNN, someone could "eat a plate of braised pork then go [to another cafe] and drink two lattes" for the price of one Abundant Year Savory Latte. Unfortunately for Starbucks fans outside of China, only time will tell if this new holiday drink will ever make it overseas. For those daring (lucky?) enough to get it a sip, this limited time offering is available through February 26 or while supplies last.