Quick Answer
The small cups served with coffee fall into three types: non-dairy creamer cups are made from vegetable oil, corn syrup and emulsifiers; cream portions may be made from dairy cream, or from vegetable oil with emulsifiers; milk portions are made mainly from milk and UHT-treated for room-temperature storage. They look alike but differ a lot, so the ingredient list is the best guide. Bubble tea shops usually use non-dairy creamer powder.
Three types compared
| Type | Main ingredients | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Non-dairy creamer cup | Vegetable oil, corn syrup, caseinate, emulsifiers, flavors | Low cost, room-temperature storage |
| Cream portion | Dairy cream, or vegetable oil with emulsifiers | Thick; ingredients vary widely by brand |
| Milk portion | Milk, UHT-treated | Clear dairy flavor, higher price |
How to read the label
- Ingredients are listed by quantity: whether vegetable oil or milk comes first tells you the type.
- Check the fat: hydrogenated vegetable oil may contain trans fat; products without it are less of a concern, and test reports help.
- Ignore the name: “creamer” or “cream” in the name does not describe the ingredients.
What creamer do bubble tea shops use?
Most shops use non-dairy creamer powder for milk tea: it dissolves fast, tastes consistent and stores at room temperature. Some use fresh milk or cream for a dairy taste; see fresh milk tea vs milk tea. For vegetarian labeling, check whether the creamer contains dairy; see is bubble tea vegan?.
How Tang Sugar can help
Tang Sugar supplies standard, premium and vegan non-dairy creamer with ingredient lists and specification sheets, helping overseas buyers meet import labeling requirements. Request samples.
Products in this article
All 9 Flavor Powders →
FAQ
Are cream portions and creamer cups the same?
Not necessarily. Creamer cups are vegetable oil based; cream portions may be dairy or oil with emulsifiers, so check the label.
Does non-dairy creamer contain trans fat?
Creamer made with hydrogenated oil may; many products now use non-hydrogenated oils. Check the label and test reports.
What is a milk portion?
A milk portion is made mainly from milk and UHT-treated so it can be stored at room temperature.
Creamer powder or fresh milk for bubble tea?
Creamer powder dissolves fast, costs less and stores at room temperature; fresh milk tastes more milky but needs refrigeration. Many shops use both.
Related Reading
What Is Non-Dairy Creamer? Ingredients, Creamer vs Milk, and How to Choose for Bubble Tea
Fresh Milk Tea vs Milk Tea: Creamer, Fresh Milk or Cheese Foam in Bubble Tea?
Is Bubble Tea Vegan? How to Check Boba, Creamer and Toppings, Plus Taiwan’s Vegetarian Labels
What Is Cheese Foam Tea? Origin, Ingredients, Cheese Foam Powder and How Shops Make ItAlso see: Non-dairy creamer (products)
