A barista at the Zhima Health coffee bar makes a drink on Nov 15, 2020, in Beijing. The Zhima Health shop is known for its TCM health food and coffee infused with Chinese herbs. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Yang had wanted to try some related TCM cuisine for the first time.

"Overall, I feel it's quite good. It's not as bitter as I had imagined," she said. "Instead, it starts off somewhat sweet and ends with a slight herbal taste. I personally like TCM as I believe it has fewer side effects on the body compared to Western medicines, so I can tolerate its taste."

Though the beneficial effect is not pronounced, Yang believes it's healthier than snacks such as fried food, to leave "less of a mental burden".

At the Sense Toast bakery in Beijing, the most popular products include toast mixed with ginseng powder, toast with rose and sour jujube, as well as toast with five black ingredients beneficial to health. These are black mulberry, black currant, black sesame, black soybean and black goji berry, which is "low-oil, low-sugar, low-fat, soft and has glutinous texture", according to Liu Lin, a store manager of Sense Toast in the capital city's Chaoyang district.

"Most customers are the white-collar workers who prioritize diet and health, with a high demand for fresh ingredients and flavors," he said, adding that the products are suitable for all ages, with a few exceptions for certain groups. For example, the ginseng toast is not recommended for children and pregnant women.

He said the company is careful about what kind of ingredients should be added, considering the preference of the public in texture and flavor. Prices for the toast range from 28 yuan ($3.98) up to 38 yuan.