Bubble Tea from 1990s until now, 2020s
Bubble Tea from 1990s until now, 2020s
Who invented bubble tea? Have you ever wondered about bubble tea history? When was boba invented and where it originated? And how did it become popular and spread all over the world?
Last time ,we talked about the history of bubble tea from its invention to now. During this period, what else has happened in Taiwan and the world? I asked my boss, Andy, and he shared some interesting stories and his views on the industry.
The First bubble tea shop in Taiwan – Early 1990s
In the 1980s, foam tea shops became very popular in Taiwan, offering basic teas such as green tea, black tea, and oolong tea. These places were also where people could sit down and spend an afternoon with friends. Later, bubble tea shops like Quickly, Balance, and Happy Lemon boomed in Taiwan, becoming childhood memories for many Taiwanese people. Today, only two of the original tea houses that were best in the bubble tea industry remain: Hanlin Tea Room and Chun Shui Tang, which continue to hold leading positions in the industry.
source：http://www.hanlin-tea.com.tw/brands/
source：https://www.chunshuitang.com.tw/bubble-milk-tea/
Andy：
Chun Shui Tang and Han Lin Tea Room are both with nice food and high-quality bubble tea drinks that have been in the bubble tea industry for decades.
If you are the age of 40s, they could be the ones who grow up together with you.
Most of the people in Taiwan are very familiar with them.
They are now both expanding around the world.
The changer in bubble tea drinks
The Evolution of Bubble Tea: New Flavors and Trends
When bubble tea started in the 1980s, the menu might be simple with only a few drinks classical Tea/ green tea/black tea/ oolong tea/ Ching Tea/ Milk Tea /Green milk tea/Black milk Tea/Oolong milk Tea + Tapioca
And year by year, someone creates concentrated syrup, flavored powder, and other toppings, like jelly to mix or add to the bubble tea.
These made bubble tea more different.
When we were junior high school students, we would buy bubble milk tea with jelly or Tapioca, it was really a happy time for young people.
Especially if we could have to go to cram school after class, we would add a piece of fried chicken cutlets.
What we called a combo chicken with bubble tea.
It would be a pleasant time for young students.
Bubble Tea Spread Across the World - 2000s
The invention of popping boba, which doesn't need to cook and comes in a variety of vibrant colors with a burst of flavor, quickly captured the taste of people around the world.
Andy：
Bubble tea became famous in the 2000s and start to make more toppings.
In 2006, one of Taiwan's factories had popping boba also called burst popping boba. And it started to be booming in 2012, but it was only a crazy sell for 1 year.
At the end of the year, it was a rumor by one company said that popping boba would release the issue of cancer, people were scared to buy it, and a lot of shops closed.
However, when it is showed that it was fake news, the bubble tea business crashed.
But no matter how it is a very good lesson for all people to re-thinking healthy drinks with less sugar. So, it's not a bad thing.
The Rise of Health-Conscious Bubble Tea – 2010s
There are many products that feature fresh milk instead of creamer, as well as the introduction of Milk cap tea.
Andy：
After a lot of issues happen, all factories try to build the thing with healthy bubble tea material, so Tea lattes become a hit, only milk with boba or tapioca.
Matcha bubble tea and bubble tea manufacturers cut down the color dose and the additives.
A factory makes the natural color for all of their products and 3-in-1 flavor powder now becomes 2 in 1 without the sugar.
Though the price is higher, people order a lot.
And the bubble tea shop owner will also offer some warnings about not drinking too much bubble tea.
One of the factories named Chuanda created popping boba in 2006 and booming in 2012, most Europe countries like it as well as the USA market.
It is estimated that Taiwan delivered over 200 containers to E.U and another 200 containers to USA and Canada every month.
However, due to the issue in Germany, it is only booming for 1 year in E.U.
One factory even lost over 5 million USD for only the popping boba.
After this happens, people start to think about the basic drink, and the business might be long-term instead of booming for only 1 year.
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From the end of 2015 to 2020
The rise of social media has drastically changed all business models. In online marketing, capturing attention at first eyes is crucial. Eyeball- Businesses are necessary to stand out in the intense competition. ways such as brown sugar walling, layering, and adding cream toppings make the drinks very visually appealing
Andy：
The layer drink/walling drinks coming out after
Just like the saying goes, before you buy the thing, you will check if it is good-looking before buying (eyeball business)
So if the drinks "look" very delicious you might be willing to pay for it
And if the drink you like, you will 100 % come back to buy it.
You can refer to our website Drink Gallery for reference.
It is also another hit to the market and some bubble tea booming again and starting to expand over the world.
The Future of Bubble Tea: Sustainability and Innovation
One thing is certain：environmental awareness will definitely increase in the future. Over the past 100 years, people have produced too much plastic waste, and How to Choose the Right Disposable Cup for your Bubble Tea from drinks are one of big problem. We will continue to reduce plastic usage and carbon emissions in the hopes of leaving a clean planet for future generations.
What will the industry look like now and in the future? You can see：
Innovative Strategies for Expanding Your Bubble Tea Business
For new products, our website offers some great ideas for your reference. You can check News – Gallery for more information.
Andy：
Now people love to have real fruit with nice-looking drinks, but the basic drinking is still very important as those new drinks might attract people to come to your shop, but you will still need the basic drinks.
Picture from the website of boba Australia.
What Makes a Successful Bubble Tea Shop?
In conclusion, while bubble tea changing, we notice something that is not changing.
The C/P value
It is the key if your shop can be successful or not, you do not have to hire someone beautiful or handsome if you want your business good forever.
People go to your shop for a beautiful or handsome body just for a while, the key is that they would finally go with the c/p value of your goods.
If People feel worthy they will go.
The reputation
Once your c/p value is good, people will use their mouths to do business for you, once your reputation has been built, your business will be prosperous.
Other keys
Of course, your shop must be clean, have nice service, and be friendly, or even if your c/p value is good, they might not go.
Some shops like a Celebrity shop, or sea view shop, will have only 1 thing to attract people, but when there are more competitors around you or people lost interest in your shop, they will not go then shops go bankrupt, So when you open your bubble tea shop or any other shop, already remember C/P value with you the long-term business ship.
To dive deeper into these principles and discover additional tips on running a successful bubble tea business, check out our detailed guide on What abilities or skills are required to open a bubble shop?.
picture from Yijung website www.yijungpasta.com
One of our friend's shops is name Yijung pasta, the owner Denial Lee, is also creating something new with a high C/P value, now people love it, and open 10 franchisees already, if you come to Taiwan you can pay a visit and give it a try.
Conclusion
In any time, the most important point of a successful shop are: service, quality, and atmosphere. And don’t blindly follow others; create your own model and never forget your original intention. These are timeless principles. Wishing everyone a successful business.