Heytea has introduced its first certified antibiotic-free and hormone-free milk, marking a significant milestone in its dairy innovation efforts. The new milk is now a staple across Heytea’s stores, integrated into its menu offerings.
Sourced from select high-quality dairy farms, the milk is made from 100% fresh cow’s milk and undergoes processing in a controlled, closed production system to ensure purity. It has also been rigorously tested by accredited institutions, including the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) under the General Administration of Sport, confirming that it contains no detectable traces of 69 types of antibiotics or 272 types of hormones.
Heytea has been deepening its involvement in dairy innovation for years. In 2023, it introduced a specialty high-protein milk designed specifically for “new style” tea beverages. This fresh milk contains 3.8 grams of protein per 100 milliliters—about 27% more than standard milk—making it comparable to premium pure milk available on the market. The product was first introduced in Heytea’s roasted brown sugar boba milk beverage. According to Yu Feng, vice president of Heytea’s supply chain, the formulation underwent six months of testing and adjustments to achieve a natural, well-rounded taste.
Building on that foundation, Heytea launched a low-fat version of the specialty milk in 2024. Unlike conventional skim milk, this variant retains more of the natural sweetness and richness of whole milk. Now, the company is taking an even bigger step with the launch of its antibiotic-free and hormone-free milk, setting a new benchmark for purity in the industry.
The development of this new product is the result of Heytea’s collaboration with the National Engineering Research Center of Dairy Health for Maternal and Child, which operates China’s first dedicated dairy innovation hub established by Heytea and the research center. It is reportedly the first milk product in the industry to receive official antibiotic-free and hormone-free certification. Looking ahead, Heytea and its research partners plan to continue developing dairy ingredients specifically tailored for tea beverages.
Heytea is also strengthening its presence in dairy farming and milk production. The company has partnered with Sanyuan to establish a certified antibiotic- and hormone-free dairy farm, which includes a self-operated alfalfa plantation spanning thousands of acres. Each batch of feed undergoes strict quality testing, and even the cows’ drinking water must pass 37 specialized quality assessments.
Heytea and Sanyuan have also developed a “purity factory” to uphold the highest production standards. Freshly extracted raw milk is rapidly cooled to below 4 degrees Celsius before being transported under controlled temperatures to nearby processing facilities. The dairy product is produced in a fully enclosed clean production line, which is meticulously sanitized before every production cycle. Additionally, the factory employs a three-stage sensory evaluation system in which trained experts taste-test the milk at key points throughout production, including raw milk acceptance, in-factory processing, and final product assessment.
Heytea’s increasing investment in dairy sourcing and production reflects a broader shift in China’s competitive freshly made tea market. Beyond store expansion and scale, supply chain depth and ingredient control are becoming key differentiators.
A crucial part of Heytea’s competitive edge lies in its use of customized raw ingredients. According to the company, nearly 100% of its core ingredients—including dairy products—are exclusively developed for Heytea. This makes it the contemporary tea brand with the highest proportion of proprietary ingredients in the market.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Yang Yafei for 36Kr.