Which 'Hot' Drink Will Melt the Historic Autumn Cold Snap in 64 Years?

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] With the early cold wave warning issued due to the coldest October in 64 years, it has become easy to see people wearing coats and padded jackets despite it being early autumn. To withstand the early cold wave caused by subzero temperatures, large temperature differences, and biting winds, people are bundling up tightly, and hot (HOT) menu items are gaining popularity in the food and beverage industry.

According to industry sources on the 24th, Mega Coffee recently introduced toffee nut beverages and fruit teas suitable for the chilly autumn weather. Toffee nut is a combination of the British caramel candy "toffee," which has a buttery aroma, and almonds and savory "nuts," allowing one to richly enjoy the sweet caramel flavor and subtle nutty aroma. The "Toffee Nut Macchiato" offers a savory flavor that fills the mouth by combining sweet toffee nut, clean cold brew, and soft milk foam.

The three types of fruit tea ("Lemon Ginger Herb Tea," "Honey Grapefruit Black Tea," and "Apple Yuzu Tea") use healthy ingredients such as ginger, lemon, grapefruit, yuzu, and apple, which can help boost immunity and stabilize the mind and body during seasonal changes. They have been receiving much love from customers unprepared for the sudden autumn cold wave.

Lemon Ginger Herb Tea is a tea blend menu where lemon and ginger are harmonized with chamomile to enjoy a subtle taste. Honey Grapefruit Black Tea features the charm of bursting fruit pulp in the mouth, highlighting the sweetness of honey syrup combined with grapefruit and the smoothness of black tea. Apple Yuzu Tea captivates the senses with fragrant apple tea, refreshing yuzu syrup, and hibiscus.

As consumers seeking the representative winter snack, steamed buns (Hobbang), increase, the related industry is also experiencing an early peak season. SPC Samlip has released a large number of 23 unique steamed bun varieties this year, including Rose Hobbang, Baehongdong Hobbang, and Mint Choco Hobbang. Reflecting the trend of enjoying a simple meal instead of rice and the growing preference of gourmet consumers for new tastes, the proportion of cooked-style steamed buns has been increased, enjoying hot popularity amid the cold wave.

The winter delicacy, roasted sweet potatoes, can also be found early at convenience stores. GS25 is accelerating the launch of roasted sweet potatoes, which was originally planned for the end of this month, and CU is continuously increasing stores that cook and sell roasted sweet potatoes 24 hours a day to meet the soaring demand and sales.

An industry official said, "With the cold wave arriving earlier than usual, we feel that more consumers are seeking hot menus rather than iced ones," adding, "Since the cold is expected to continue for a while, the popularity of hot menus is likely to continue for the time being."