Quick Answer
According to English Wikipedia, bubble tea reached the UK in the 2000s–2010s, first catching on in areas with large Asian communities such as London’s Chinatown and Soho; in 2011 specialty shops appeared in London, driving market growth. For Taiwanese ingredient suppliers, the key to Europe is complying with EU food law and labeling.
How Bubble Tea Developed in Europe
| When | Development | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s–2010s | Bubble tea reaches the UK, first popular in London’s Chinatown and Soho | English Wikipedia |
| 2011 | Specialty shops appear in London | English Wikipedia |
What to Watch When Exporting to Europe
- Food additives and colors: the EU has specific rules and labeling requirements for some additives and colors, so check colored products such as Thai tea carefully; see Why Is Thai Milk Tea Orange?
- Allergens and label language: label in the language and to the rules of each country of sale.
- Food safety documents: test reports and factory certifications (FSSC 22000, for example, is a GFSI-recognized scheme); see HACCP vs ISO 22000 vs FSSC 22000.
- Shipping: sea freight takes longer, so consider shelf life and packaging.
Always follow the actual requirements of the destination country’s authorities and your importer.
What Buyers Can Ask For
Buyers can ask suppliers for test reports and factory certifications, and exporters should have them ready; see The Taiwan Food Export Process.
How Tang Sugar Can Help
Tang Sugar serves parts of Europe. Our partner factories hold ISO 22000 (verified by SGS), FSSC 22000 and HACCP certifications, and we can help with documents for your target market. Buyers in Europe are welcome to contact us.
Products in this article
All 492 Bubble Tea & Boba Ingredients →
FAQ
When did bubble tea arrive in the UK?
According to English Wikipedia, around the 2000s–2010s, first catching on in London’s Chinatown and Soho.
What should you check when exporting bubble tea ingredients to Europe?
Food additive and color rules, allergens and label language, food safety documents, and shipping time and shelf life.
Does FSSC 22000 matter to European buyers?
FSSC 22000 is a GFSI-recognized food safety management scheme, and international retailers and brands often list it as a sourcing requirement.
Further Reading
- Bubble Tea in the USA
- Bubble Tea in Southeast Asia
- The Taiwan Food Export Process
- Become a Bubble Tea Ingredient Distributor
Sources
- Wikipedia: Bubble tea
- Foundation FSSC: About
