Tea has been praised in China for its medicinal properties as well as included in banquets and meals for generations. Starbucks, the U.S coffee giant chain, hasn’t been around quite as long and is making efforts to jump on the bandwagon. Starbucks’ empire within China has launched nine new kinds of tea to their Shenzhen branches (http://www.chinaretailnews.com/2010/03/11/3423-starbucks-to-enter-chinas-tea-drinks-market/). Tea plantation in China has reached number one in the global tea market, with plantation areas spanning more than 2,700 acres (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/himfr-analyzes-that-chinas-tea-industry-has-both-potential-and-challenges-92763864.html). We are uncertain as to whether Starbucks will draw the seniors from their dim sum, but are interested to see how the masses react. Pizza Hut has taken a similar approach in an effort to capture the attention of the East (http://www.pizzahut.com.hk/tc/home.html), the surf clam and crab stick sesame stuffed-crust pizza is reportedly popular, but is a far cry from Naples.
Starbucks trade frappucinos for oolong