Wong said it was just a first step by the company into Chinese tea and it would do more in the future.

This is not the first time Starbucks has tried its hand at selling Chinese products. In 2008, it sold Cantonese-style pancakes for 8 to 15 yuan each in Guangdong province.

Last year, it sold zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in reed) during the Dragon Boat Festival.

But Chinese tea, it says, will be a permanent fixture in what is the largest market outside the US for the firm, said Wong.

So how did it go down?

Xu Ming, a taxi driver from Shenzhen and also a tea enthusiast, said: "I think there are many kinds of high quality and popular teas available in China, for example Fujian tea and Yunnan tea, so there is no need for me to visit a Western-styled caf for a cup of Chinese tea. Also, senior tea drinkers are very picky regarding tea ware and the way of making tea, How could a foreign newcomer satisfy us with our strict requirements?"

However, Li Xinzhi, a Shenzhen businessman and also a fan of Starbucks, said: "It is pretty good as Starbucks is providing its customers with more options. I always invite my business partners to the coffee shop for some informal meetings but in China not every one likes coffee. I think I will come more in the future."