Cha's Mask

Cha's Mask, known as CHA YI JI (茶乙己), is a modern tea beverage brand established in Shanghai in May 2020 under the parent company Shanghai Jiuwenqian Catering Management Co., Ltd. . The brand positions itself with a focus on 'delicious, healthy, and zero-burden' tea drinks. . It differentiates itself in the competitive new-style tea market by being a pioneer in using L-arabinose sugar as a primary ingredient instead of traditional sucrose or fructose, aligning with consumer health trends. . The brand later upgraded its formula to use a higher purity 997L-arabinose sugar for improved taste and quality. .

In 2022, CHA YI JI received an angel round investment from Naixue (Nayuki), a prominent publicly-listed tea chain, which valued the brand at over 100 million RMB. . The brand's product strategy involves incorporating fresh flowers, fruits, and milk into its tea creations. . The business operates on a franchise model, with physical storefronts being its primary channel. By early 2025, the company had expanded to nearly 200 stores across China, covering not only the eastern regions like Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai but also extending into Inner Mongolia, Northeast China, Hebei, Shaanxi, and other provinces. . CHA YI JI is also exploring international expansion, with discussions for market entry into Southeast Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and South America. .

Keywords: new-style tea, tea beverage, L-arabinose sugar, healthy drinks, franchise, modern tea shop, fresh fruit tea, milk tea, Chinese tea brand, beverage chain, Naixue investment, Shanghai startup, floral tea, consumer beverages, retail F&B, health-conscious, beverage innovation, international expansion, CHA YI JI, Jiuwenqian Catering