According to a report by Allied Market Research , the global sales for tapioca pearl or bubble teas have reached over 2.4 billion US dollars in 2019; and it’s estimated to reach up to 4.3 billion US dollars in the year 2027. The strong growth prediction is based on the health image of tea drinks, along with many young consumers and celebrity endorsements. The report further suggests that amongst various shaken tea drinks, the lightly sweetened fruit teas are the best-sellers; while black teas have been commonly used for brewing, green teas are now becoming the new popular option, since there have been many studies that show the relative health benefits. Last but not least, shaken tea drinks are highly customizable, they are made to the order with personal preferences, which is also the key to its success. They could be made light or richer, fruity or creamy, and it’s even more versatile with various chewy pearls or jellies added for additional sensory pleasure, that’s why they are so popular.

With relatively low entry level for the business, bubble tea and shaken tea shops are fashionable and yet the business is very competitive. It’s necessary to know how to efficiently manage the daily operations, and crucial to find ways to identify and differentiate one’s brand with unique products and tastes that the consumers crave.

It’s important to initially identify whether the products are well liked by the targeted consumer demographics, then plan the business operation and marketing strategies accordingly. And whether to create a new brand or open up a franchised store, not only does one need to take the fees that comes with the package, but also the risks of a new stand-alone shop on the market, compared to having existing brand recognition and the corporate resources that’s being paid for.

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Finally, and the most critical of all, is the product itself. Creating extraordinary and exceptional tasting tea drinks is what will attract customers, however, it also needs the right equipment, sufficient storage, preparation and packaging space, as well as good staff training programs to ensure the quality and consistency of the drinks. Freshness of the ingredients is fundamental to a good shaken tea drink, especially when building brands and franchises; the ability to source good, seasonal and the core ingredients (e.g., tea leaf and tapioca pearls), will determine the fate of the business, as every detail will help secure the consistency and quality of the products.

Perfectly cooked and sweetened tapioca pearls are the highlight of the boba teas, yet it takes good raw ingredients, specific preparation processes to achieve so, and many beverage brands invested in their own signature recipes, to win the hearts of their customers. With advanced food technology these days, there are also ready-to-eat tapioca pearl packages available now, as there are new products being developed for different consumer markets.

Traditional tapioca pearl recipes have been recently improved, not only the taste and textures are more pleasant, but the modified starch prevents freezer burn and keeps the chewy consistency after freezing, and they are being used in ice-lollies and into fillings for various different desserts. And brown sugar is also replaced with root vegetables such as purple yam, taro and sweet potatoes, to create an array of colorful and flavorful chewies for the teas. Otherwise, food coloring is also used for making tapioca with different hues, so when mixed in with tea drinks, they become visually artistic and more attractive to the consumers.

When tapioca pearls are cooked, it has a toothsome texture. Recently, they are being used in hotpots, curries and other savory dishes. It may seem slightly shocking, but it does add texture and delightful surprises to the cuisine. Hence, the potential of these humble edible jewels is yet to be discovered.

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It could produce from 30 kg up to 180 kg of tapioca pearls per hour, as the size and shapes of the tapioca could also be adjusted accordingly. It’s high in capacity with good consistency.