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.
Taiwanese Bubble Tea Brands Around the World: CoCo, Gong cha, Chatime, THE ALLEY and Tiger Sugar — How Taiwanese Bubble Tea Went Global
Key answer
Many Taiwanese drink brands have gone global. CoCo started in Tamsui, New Taipei, in 1997 and has more than 5,000 stores worldwide. Gong cha was founded in Kaohsiung in 2006, later moved its headquarters to London, and has about 2,200 stores. Chatime started in Hsinchu and has reached 63 countries. THE ALLEY started in Zhongli and has expanded to more than 20 countries. Tiger Sugar, from Taichung’s Yizhong Street, sparked the worldwide craze for brown sugar “tiger stripe” boba. Together these brands have made “Taiwanese bubble tea” a household name around the world. Tang Sugar uses Taiwanese ingredients and store-opening experience to help more brands go global.
From Taiwan’s streets to the world’s big cities
Bubble tea was born in Taiwan in the 1980s and went overseas from the 1990s with Taiwanese emigrants and chain brands (further reading: the origin and history of bubble tea). Today you’ll find Taiwan-born drink brands in London, New York, Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney, and for many people abroad, their first encounter with Taiwan is a cup of bubble tea.
Store figures come from each brand’s public information and change as they expand; please refer to each brand’s latest announcements.
Why have Taiwanese brands succeeded abroad?
Standardization: Brewing times, pearl cooking and sugar amounts are written into SOPs, so overseas stores can make the same flavor (further reading: Taiwanese hospitality and service).
Customization: Customers choose their own sugar and ice levels, suiting tastes in every country (further reading: how to order bubble tea in Taiwan).
New products: Fruit teas, brown sugar milk and cheese foam have set one trend after another.
Reliable ingredient supply: Tea, pearls and syrups shipped steadily from Taiwan are the foundation of overseas expansion.
Tang Sugar: a partner for the next Taiwanese brand going abroad
Seeing Taiwanese brands open stores around the world makes us proud of Taiwan’s drink industry. Caitang International Co., Ltd. (brand name Tang Sugar) supports Taiwanese brands heading overseas and overseas businesses that want to bring in Taiwanese flavors:
This article belongs to Stop 2, Bubble Tea, of the Taiwan Stories series. Series opener: Tang Sugar brand philosophy.
FAQ
Which bubble tea brands are from Taiwan?
CoCo, Gong cha, Chatime, THE ALLEY, Tiger Sugar, Chun Shui Tang and 50 Lan all started in Taiwan.
Is Gong cha from Taiwan?
Yes. Gong cha was founded in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2006, later moved its headquarters to London, and has about 2,200 stores worldwide.
Which Taiwanese bubble tea brand has the most stores?
According to public information, CoCo has more than 5,000 stores worldwide, making it one of the Taiwanese drink brands with the most stores.
How do Taiwanese brands keep the taste consistent overseas?
Through standard operating procedures, dosing equipment, and a steady supply of tea, pearls and syrups from Taiwan.
How do I bring Taiwanese bubble tea to my country?
Start by settling your menu and ingredient sources, then plan equipment, SOPs and import documents; Tang Sugar can help with ingredient sourcing and consolidated export.
