There is no CHAI in CHINA...

I have an addiction...there, I said it...to some you may be shocked and dismayed, to others, this is old news.  My name is Geneal and I am addicted to Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Lattes.  

On both trips to China, we visited several Starbucks and there I would stand, searching...searching for my treasured beverage on the menu.  But alas, it would not be found.  Oh, I might soothe myself with a hot chocolate, but it would not replace my craving for my "iced venti nonfat chai".  So what would a rational, level-headed, future alien-resident of China do to remedy this problem?  Well, they would write to Starbucks China!  Here is my plea...

Hello, I currently reside in the United States but will be relocating to Dalian, China in May 2009.  I LOVE your Tazo Chai Tea Lattes!  Unfortunately, I cannot get this drink in China...any plans to add it to the menu?  I realize I can buy the product at retail stores like Target here in the states, but there is just something special about getting it from Starbucks...the cup, the good ice, the green straw...  Please help!  Thank you!

I am sick, right???  The bottom line is, when I make the move to China, I will suffer from withdrawls of many things...my friends and family, Mexican food, being able to read and understand the goings on around me, and now, also my beloved Starbucks beverage.  Here is the reply I received...

We are glad that you have interest in our products.  However, considering the special tasting, the Chai Tea Latte is more popular in U.S. and it is not the core item for us in China, so we may not have plans to introduce it to the Chinese customers recently.  

The Chinese to English translation is endearing :) but not what I wanted to hear.  If you need me in the next month or so, you can probably find me getting my fix while I still can at my local Starbucks!