Thinking of opening a beverage shop, breakfast shop, or setting up a night market stall to sell drinks? The first problem to solve is: where will your tea base come from?
Brewing loose leaf tea yourself leads to inconsistent quality, is time-consuming, and wasteful. Buying retail tea bags from large supermarkets means costs that won't support your profit margin. In this case, "commercial tea bags" are your best solution.
This article compares three of the most popular commercial tea bags among food service operators, explaining everything from flavor and cost to brewing methods, helping you choose the right tea from day one of opening your business.
What are commercial tea bags? How do they differ from regular tea bags?
Commercial tea bags are large-capacity tea bags specifically designed for food service environments. They typically weigh around 50 grams per bag and feature a square, filter-free design (no string), allowing them to be directly steeped in a pot.
Compared to a regular 3g small tea bag from a convenience store that only brews one 300cc cup, commercial tea bags offer dozens of times higher cost efficiency.
Commercial tea bags also have several advantages that regular tea bags do not: a filter-free design means no need for extra strainers or teapots; square, string-less packaging is suitable for direct brewing in large pots; and aluminum foil resealable bags ensure they don't easily get damp or lose flavor after opening.
Comparison of Three Popular Commercial Tea Bags
Below are three commercial tea bags currently most popular among beverage and breakfast shops, each with a different positioning:
| Item | Hong Kong Style Milk Tea Black Tea Bags | Traditional Black Tea Bags | Old Mai Black Tea Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specification | 50g × 50 bags | 50g × 50 bags | 50g × 50 bags |
| Full Case Price | $1,250 | $800 | $420 |
| Unit Price per Bag | $25 | $16 | $8.4 |
| Cost per Cup | ≈ $3.1 | ≈ $2.0 | ≈ $1.05 |
| Tea Color | Deep Amber Brown | Bright Ruby Red | Golden Brown |
| Flavor | Rich Ceylon black tea, specialized for milk tea | Classic Taiwanese black tea aroma | Malty base, smooth |
| Best Use | Hong Kong style milk tea, Yuanyang (coffee-tea mix) | Iced black tea, breakfast shop black tea | Large quantity base tea, high cost-effectiveness |
Cost per Cup Calculation: Numbers You Must Calculate Before Opening
The biggest fear when opening a business is feeling something is cheap without actually calculating it. Here, we break down the cost per cup for the three tea bag types:
How to Brew for Best Flavor? Brewing Recommendations for Three Tea Bags
Hong Kong Style Milk Tea Black Tea Bags
Hong Kong style milk tea emphasizes "tea flavor that can withstand milk," so the brewing method is unique. First, bring 4 liters of water to a boil, add the tea bag, and boil over high heat for 3 minutes, then turn to low heat and steep for 5 minutes. After removing the tea bag, add evaporated milk (recommended tea to milk ratio is 7:3) for an authentic Hong Kong style milk tea.
Traditional Black Tea Bags
The essence of Taiwanese traditional black tea lies in being "sweet but not cloying." Bring 4 liters of water to a boil, add the tea bag, and steep over low heat for 10 minutes before removing it. While hot, add an appropriate amount of brown sugar and stir until dissolved, then cool and chill. Remember to remove the tea bag as soon as it's brewed to prevent excessive bitterness.
Old Mai Black Tea Bags
Old Mai black tea has a smooth taste with a hint of malt. It's the simplest to brew. Bring 4 liters of water to a boil, add the tea bag, and steep over medium-low heat for 8 minutes before removing. It can be served as pure tea or as a base for flavored drinks, pairing well with fruit teas and sparkling drinks.
Which One is Right for You? Quick Selection Guide
Choosing commercial tea bags is not difficult; the key is your product positioning. If you specialize in Hong Kong style milk tea or Yuanyang coffee, Hong Kong Style Milk Tea Black Tea Bags are the only choice. The imported Ceylon black tea from Sri Lanka is rich and robust enough to maintain its tea flavor even after adding milk.
If you run a breakfast shop or a traditional beverage shop, Traditional Black Tea Bags are the perfect fit, offering that familiar "Grandma's brewed tea" flavor beloved by Taiwanese people. And if you're just starting, on a limited budget, or need a large quantity of base tea for flavored beverages, Old Mai Black Tea Bags offer unbeatable cost-effectiveness, costing just over one dollar per cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to open your business? Start by choosing the right tea
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