The drinks at this Heytea flagship store are mature and rich in layers, with well-controlled sweetness. They particularly excel in hot beverages suitable for cold days, delivering a delicate flavor of deep-roasted cocoa and thick cream.
The flagship store of Heytea located in Taikoo Li features an elaborate space design with smooth traffic flow and well-arranged seating, creating an overall atmosphere that is spacious and comfortable.
Located in the flagship store of Heytea at Taikoo Li, the spatial scale and brand tone are more complete than that of an average store. Whether it's the flow of movement, seating, or the pace of serving drinks, everything appears relaxed. The temperature that day was quite low, and the coldness of the streets made choosing a hot drink the best decision, allowing people to rediscover Heytea's prowess in "hot drinks."
The two beverages ordered this time lean towards a more mature flavor profile, with better control of sweetness and flavor complexity compared to the basic options.
The first was the "Bitter Chocolate with Sea Salt Crumbles." This drink centers around cocoa but doesn't follow a simple sweet chocolate route. Instead, it emphasizes the richness of deeply roasted cocoa. Upon first sip, you experience a warm bitterness with pleasant chocolate aroma, followed by the slight saltiness from the sea salt crumble, which enhances the cocoa's bitterness and adds depth. The presence of the crushed tea crumbles does not overshadow the drink; rather, they provide a stable tea finish towards the end, making the overall experience layered and not cloying. It's truly a hot drink that is meant to be savored slowly.
The other drink, "Bitter Matcha with Fiery Clouds," caters more to matcha enthusiasts. The bitterness of the matcha is distinct, and the tea aroma is clean—not masked by sugar but leaning towards a rich, Japanese-style matcha experience. In its hot state, the matcha aroma is fully released, and it flows smoothly and warmly on the palate, with a naturally sweet aftertaste that tempts you for another sip. The overall tone is steady and unpretentious, making it perfect for cold weather.
Overall, the Heytea flagship store at Taikoo Li exceeds expectations in their hot drink offerings. Both beverages this time are not overly sweet but follow a complete flavor profile with clear layers. If the weather is cold and you're looking for a truly "substantial" drink, this place is indeed worth a special visit. Next time, these two drinks will still be a must-order.