While coffee has been a favorite drink in the US for centuries, Chinese consumers have traditionally opted for tea. But things are changing in China. In the last few years, young people in the country have started craving coffee. Dianping, a leading restaurant-finder app in China (sort of like Yelp), noted in 2022 that online searches for “Chinese-style coffee” had risen by 4,713 percent year on year.

In America a pumpkin spice latte is a favorite, but in China, Gen-Z is increasingly opting for drinks like lotus seed milk lates and goji berry cappuccinos, notes SEO Agency China. “ Young Chinese shoppers prefer domestic brands that reflect their culture and identity,” the publication notes.

The idea is to pair coffee classics, like lattes and cappuccinos, with traditional Chinese herbs, spices, and berries. “The use of Chinese herbs in coffee adds an exciting aesthetic twist. Some popular ones include ginseng, jujube, bamboo, and chrysanthemum,” explains SEO Agency China. “Local flavors show their deep respect for Chinese culinary tradition.”

5 coffee recipes made with traditional Chinese herbs, berries, and spices

1. cacao goji coffee

Also known as wolfberries, goji berries are native to China and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. In this recipe, they are combined with black tea, cacao powder, and almond milk to make a delicious frothy latte with a sweet and tangy flavor.

2. Spiced Coffee Infused With Star Anise and Cinnamon

If you like licorice, you’ll love star anise, a star-shaped spice commonly used in Chinese cooking. In coffee, it goes beautifully with another popular spice in China: cinnamon (just like this tasty recipe demonstrates). While not native to China, the latter has been used in Chinese cuisine and traditional medicine for centuries.

3. Five Spice Chai Tea Latte

As the same indicates, Chinese five spice is a blend of five different spices: star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds (or Chinese licorice root). The versatile mixture is often added to season stir-fries and vegetables, but it also works well in a warming chai tea latte.

4. 3-Ingredient Ginger Latte

Ginger—which originated in Southeast Asia—is a staple all over the world. In China, it’s often used in cooking, thanks to its aromatic and spicy flavor. As you’ll know already if you’re a fan of a gingerbread latte, it really shines when it’s paired with coffee, too.

5. Superfood Schizandra Latte

Schizandra, an adaptogen from a fruit-bearing vine native to Asia, is a common staple in Chinese medicine and is quickly becoming a popular supplement in the West, too. One of the best ways to consume it is arguably in coffee form, alongside almond butter, beetroot powder, maca powder, and cinnamon, just like this recipe from Scoop Whole Foods demonstrates.