Finding the perfect milk tea recipe
Ingredients manufacturer, FrieslandCampina Kievit, has published a study for the perfect milk teas, as well as current offerings in the milk tea segment across Greater China.
The study, part of a large-scale effort to provide customers with sensory data on the ever-growing Chinese beverage market, looks at what is inside milk tea and identifies individual elements that make up the perfect, consumer-preferred milk tea in different regions. With these findings, FrieslandCampina customers have access to data on key elements to combine, at the appropriate intensities, to create the perfect milk tea for their local consumers.
As the world’s leading hot drinks market, specifically when it comes to tea, the importance of the Chinese market cannot be overstated. The driver of that market’s continued growth is the rise of consumer disposable income. This demand is unlikely to slow down, with China’s projected market size for the coming few years estimated at well over $10 billion.
FrieslandCampina’s research points to several findings to help customers create the perfect milk tea, especially as tastes differ in different regions.
For example, in the Chengdu region, consumers show a preference for an intense, sweeter milk taste, however, the current offerings in the market typically consist of a medium milk and sweetness intensity, presenting a clear gap in the market.
Across greater China, black tea is the standard tea base for milk teas, yet some regions prefer green tea, or another type.
Other elements such as the right mouthfeel also make a difference.
FrieslandCampina Kievit’s portfolio for greater China includes ingredients that tap into these consumer preferences, examples include the Kievit classic creamer, which Chinese customers have used for nearly fifteen years. Another is the Vana®-Lata FM870, which addresses the clean label trend and the Vana®-Blanca M480, which includes a caramel flavour.
Research combined with Kievit’s unique ingredients enables customers to create the perfect Chengdu, Guangzhou and Taiwanese milk teas, among others.
