The Bitter Truth Behind the Kale Craze
In recent times, a seemingly unlikely ingredient, kale, has become the toast of the tea drink market. Despite being pricey and having a bitter taste, kale has been enthusiastically embraced by numerous renowned tea drink brands, becoming a sought-after raw material in the new tea drinks. This phenomenon not only reflects the intense competition in the tea drink market but also highlights the growing trend of "health interiorization" among consumers. With multiple brands, including Joy Tea, Tea100, and Moxian, launching over 30 kale-based drinks, the price of kale has skyrocketed from 0.8 yuan per kilogram last summer to 3.5 yuan per kilogram today, with some products even selling for over 20 yuan per cup.

26 March 2025
However, nutrition experts have sounded a warning, stating that the processing of kale into drinks can lead to a significant loss of dietary fiber, and the addition of sugar to balance the taste can turn the supposedly healthy drink into a high-calorie beverage. Originally priced at a mere 0.8 yuan per kilogram, the price of kale has surged to 3.5 yuan per kilogram, with farmers enjoying a significant windfall. But beneath the hype, concerns have been raised about the nutritional value and health benefits of kale-based drinks. Wang SiLu, a senior food inspector, has expressed skepticism about the claims made by companies promoting kale-based products, stating that their marketing language lacks scientific basis and is often used to mislead consumers by emphasizing certain nutrients while downplaying the lack of others.
The fervent pursuit of overpriced and unpalatable kale juice has exposed a glaring issue: consumers' lack of rationality when faced with trendy products, coupled with inadequate regulation of merchants' promotional activities. Experts advise that consumers should exercise more caution, avoiding impulsive purchases based on merchants' advertising alone. Simultaneously, regulatory bodies must strengthen their oversight of commercial promotions to prevent misleading claims that could deceive consumers. The kale juice craze, characterized by its high price and unappealing taste, has become a symbol of irrational consumer behavior. Despite its bitter flavor and the absence of substantial health benefits when consumed as a drink, kale juice has seen a significant surge in demand, leading to a sharp increase in the price of kale.
Experts, including nutritionists and food inspectors, warn against the overemphasis on "superfoods" like kale. While kale does contain dietary fiber beneficial for health, its nutritional value is often exaggerated, and its processing into drinks can significantly reduce its fiber content. Furthermore, the addition of sugar to balance the bitter taste of kale can transform a seemingly healthy beverage into a high-calorie drink, counterproductive to health goals. To address this issue, consumers are urged to adopt a more rational approach to purchasing trendy products, understanding the actual nutritional benefits and potential drawbacks of these products, rather than blindly following marketing trends.
The fervent demand for kale-based drinks, despite their exorbitant prices and unpalatable taste, underscores the growing desire among consumers for healthy and weight-loss products. However, this phenomenon also lays bare the issue of unscrupulous marketing tactics employed by some businesses. It is imperative for consumers to adopt a scientific and rational approach to healthy eating, rather than blindly following the latest trends peddled by social media influencers. By doing so, individuals can make informed choices that prioritize their well-being over fleeting fads, ultimately contributing to a more discerning and responsible consumer culture. Moreover, the kale drink craze highlights the need for stricter regulations on the health and wellness industry, ensuring that companies provide accurate and substantiated claims about their products, protecting consumers from potential scams and fostering an environment where genuine, healthy products can thrive, supported by evidence and consumer trust.
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