From a single tea leaf, a cup of bubble tea and a bowl of douhua to the lights of the night market — sail six stops along Taiwan's coast to meet its flavors and people, and see how a Taiwanese food company carries them to the world.
Along Taiwan's coastline — setting off from the tea hills and finally sailing from the harbor to the world.
Brand Philosophy
Tang Sugar Brand Philosophy: Taiwanese Food and Taiwanese Service, Bringing the Flavors of Taiwan to the World
From the Formosa Oolong that sailed to New York in 1869 to bubble tea loved around the globe, Taiwan has long been sending great flavors to the world. Tang Sugar (Caitang International) is a Taiwanese company proud of the food Taiwanese people make and the service they provide. With consistent ingredient quality, clear partnership terms and verifiable supply capability, we…
It introduces Taiwan's tea, bubble tea, night-market food, fruit and sugar, everyday life and Made in Taiwan, and shows how Tang Sugar brings these flavors and Taiwanese service to partners around the world.
How is Taiwan Stories different from the blog?
Taiwan Stories covers culture, origins and Taiwan through foreign eyes; the blog covers drink recipes, ingredient dosage and sourcing. The two link to each other, so you can go from a story to a recipe.
Made in Taiwan Manufacturing: From Electronics to Food OEM, How Tang Sugar Helps Tea Brands Build Private Label Ingredients
Key answer
“Made in Taiwan” means dependable around the world: English Wikipedia notes that in 2020 all ten of the top electronics ODMs (original design manufacturers) by revenue were Taiwanese companies. The same ability to turn customer needs into consistent products exists in Taiwan’s food industry. Tang Sugar is proud of Made in Taiwan and offers OEM/ODM food manufacturing and private label development of pearls and toppings, syrup flavors, tea bases, specifications and labeling, and packaging, helping tea brands create their own ingredients.
Why is “Made in Taiwan” trusted?
Part of the laptop or phone in your hand was quite possibly designed or made by a Taiwanese company. English Wikipedia notes that in 2020 the world’s ten largest electronics ODMs by revenue were all Taiwanese. What Taiwanese manufacturers do best is understand what the customer wants, design it and then produce it reliably at scale — the core of contract manufacturing (further reading: OEM vs ODM vs OBM).
The same spirit in Taiwan’s food industry
Taiwan’s food industry has the same fine-grained R&D and production ability. Competition among Taiwanese drink shops is fierce, and constant development of new flavors and toppings has given Taiwanese ingredient factories deep experience in adjusting recipes and controlling texture and specs: pearl size and chewiness, the sweet-tart balance of syrups, the roast and aroma of tea bases, and packaging size and material can all be tailored to a brand (further reading: how tapioca pearls are made, charcoal-roasted oolong).
OEM, ODM or OBM?
Model
Who designs
Best for
OEM (original equipment manufacturing)
The customer provides the recipe or specs
Brands with their own recipes
ODM (original design manufacturing)
The manufacturer designs and produces; sold under the customer’s brand
Brands that want private label products quickly
OBM (own brand manufacturing)
Designed, made and sold under the maker’s own brand
Manufacturers running their own brand
English Wikipedia also notes that under the ODM model, unless otherwise agreed, intellectual property usually belongs to the manufacturer — so spell out ownership of recipes and designs in the contract, and consider a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) during development.
Tang Sugar: your own ingredients, made in the Made in Taiwan spirit
Caitang International Co., Ltd. (brand name Tang Sugar) is proud of Made in Taiwan. Tang Sugar’s product customization service covers:
Pearls and toppings: size, texture, cooking conditions and applications
Syrups and flavors: signature flavor recipes
Tea bases: blends, roast level and aroma
Specifications and labeling: product specs and labels that meet the target market’s rules (further reading: packaged food labeling rules)
Partner factories hold ISO 22000 (SGS-verified), FSSC 22000 and HACCP certifications, and an NDA can be signed during development. Retail packs and DIY kits can also be developed as private label products (further reading: shelf-stable pearls and DIY bubble tea kits). Contact us to discuss your needs.
What is the difference between OEM and ODM in food manufacturing?
OEM produces to the recipe or specs the customer provides; ODM means the manufacturer designs and produces the product, which is then sold under the customer’s brand.
Can bubble tea ingredients be private labeled?
Yes. Common customizations include pearls and toppings, syrup flavors, tea bases, specifications and labeling, and packaging design.
Who owns the recipe under ODM?
It depends on the contract. English Wikipedia notes that, unless otherwise agreed, intellectual property usually belongs to the manufacturer, so put it in writing and sign an NDA.
Is there a minimum order quantity for private label ingredients?
It depends on the item and factory; there is usually an MOQ, so confirm with your supplier before development.
How is “Made in Taiwan” written on food packaging?
Made in Taiwan is often shortened to MIT; on food packaging the origin is usually written as Product of Taiwan or Origin: Taiwan.
