CoCo Bubble Tea eyes Middle East expansion, goes halal

Bubble tea franchise CoCo Bubble Tea has announced a halal bubble tea menu along with plans to expand in the Middle East. Already accustomed to drinking tea, local consumers are particularly receptive to boba tea, which mixes the novelty of boba (also called 'bubbles' or 'pearls') with the familiar taste of tea.

Worldwide, the bubble tea market is expected to grow 66% in seven years, from US$2.46 B in 2023 to US$4.08 B by 2030, and the popularity of the refreshment is growing in the Middle East as well, the company said, sharing that Middle Eastern refreshment companies and entrepreneurs have shown "significant interest".

"We've gotten a major spike recently in inquiries from the Middle East, so we see it as a key region for bubble tea expansion," commented Kody Wang, Director of Business Development at CoCo Bubble Tea. 

"CoCo has a lot to offer the Middle East. With over 5,000 stores worldwide, we have the most international coverage of any pearl milk tea brand, providing potential partners with strong brand recognition and sophisticated infrastructure. Also, our franchise business model and extensive R&D capabilities give us a great deal of latitude to fully tailor refreshment offerings to consumer tastes. 

"The halal menu is just a start, and we hope to find master franchisers to partner with and grow together in the region." 

CoCo can localise refreshments to suit consumer tastes anywhere. With its halal bubble tea menu already prepared, CoCo is poised to launch in the Middle East. All materials for the menu are halal-certified, and the menu offers a variety of options while leaving room for further customisation to accommodate regional variations in preferences.

For franchise partners in the Middle East, CoCo offers:

Source: CoCo Bubble Tea. CoCo offers a range of flavours in its bubble team menu.

- Strong brand reputation and recognition. The company said it has the largest footprint of any bubble tea brand, helping to attract customers and drive business growth.

- Flexible partnerships: CoCo is open to a range of partnerships, from multi-store franchise partnerships to exclusivity in certain countries.

- Stabilised costs for maximised margins: With materials supplied by CoCo, supply chain costs are easily managed.

- R&D: By putting out new products regularly, the brand stays up to date in markets worldwide.

- Extensive menu with customisation for local tastes: CoCo's diverse offerings allow for franchisees to cater to different tastes across the Middle East.

Taiwan wants to expand global halal market share

A delegation led by Taiwan Council of Agriculture Minister Lin Tsung-hsien visited several retailers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that have been selling Taiwan-produced agricultural products in early March.

The trip comes under the umbrella of the New Southbound Policy, launched by the government of Taiwan in 2016. The policy focuses on strengthening ties with neighbors in South and Southeast Asia.

The delegation aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the local consumer demand and actual sales volume, especially for expanding Taiwanese market share in the halal market. The Council said it is planning to organise delegations to several halal events in Southeast Asia such as the 2018 Malaysia International Halal Showcase in early April as well as 2019 Fi Asia in Thailand from September 11 to 13.


Lin and his delegation also visited local supermarkets such as Aeon at Mid Valley Megamall to find out if Taiwan’s agricultural products are popular.

Lin said the total value of trade between Taiwan and Malaysia in agricultural products in 2017 has reached US$205 million, a 5.44% increase from 2016, adding that Taiwan's exports to Malaysia also sees an 8.87% jump compared to the previous year. The export products were mainly processed grain foods, pastry, fish, and shellfish.
Lin noted that Malaysia is an indispensable trading partner to Taiwan. Besides existing exports goods, Taiwan's Mitagri exported 22 metric tons of the atemoya (释迦, pineapple sugar apple, custard apple) to Malaysia, as of the end of January 2018, said the Council. Atemoya exports are expected to reach 40 metric tons in 2018.

Source: Council of Agriculture, Taiwan. Council of Agriculture Minister Lin Tsung-hsien (left) and Mitagri Company Chairman Chen Yu-jan hold atemoyas from Taiwan during a visit to a local supermarket as part of a business trip to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, an agricultural research and extension in Taitung, eastern Taiwan supervised by the Council has developed new shipping methods especially in food preservation and storage to ensure the quality of exported products.

Taiwan welcomes Muslim visitors

The Muslim travel booth at the Taiwan travel fair in Singapore.

Taiwan is wooing Muslim visitors with information on how the island is catering to Muslims. The island has mosques, Muslim-friendly hotels and halal food, though not in great numbers. Most of the food is not for Chinese cuisine, but there are some where Muslim visitors will be able to try Taiwanese food, such as at the halal Muslim Beef Noodles Restaurant and Muslim-friendly Chang Beef Noodle Shop for Taiwan beef noodles (台湾牛肉面).

There are Muslim-friendly or halal establishments in major cities and counties, with the most in the capital Taipei. Counties are typically larger than cities.

Districts can be relatively far from each other so it may be more convenient to pick a hotel that is in the same district as the food. Vegetarian restaurants are quite common but wine is sometimes used in Chinese cooking so diners trying vegetarian food should check if the food has wine in it.

The accommodation and restaurants include:

Taipei - Muslim-friendly accommodation

City Suites Taipei Nandong, which offers Chinese and Western group meals, breakfast and accommodation, Songshan district, certification expiring September 2016 for both accommodation and the Maduro restaurant
台北城市商旅南東館, 台北市松山區南京東路五段411號
+886 2 2742 5888/5798

Ambassador Hotel Taipei, a five-star hotel which offers Western set meals, breakfast and accommodation, Zhongshan district; certification expires March 2017 for both accommodation and the Ahmi Cafe
台北國賓大飯店, 台北市中山區中山北路2段63號
+886 2 2551 1111

The Landis Taipei Hotel, a five-star hotel which offers Chinese and Western group meals, breakfast and accommodation, Zhongshan district; the Le Salon function room is listed*

+886 2597 1234

Palais de Chine Hotel Taipei, a five-star hotel which offers Chinese and Western group meals, breakfast and accommodation, Datong district, for accommodation and the Le Palais and La Rotisserie restaurants**

台北君品大酒店, 台北市大同區承德路1段3號
+886 2 2181 9999/9950

The Regent Taipei, Zhongshan District, for five-star accommodation, and Western set meals and breakfast at the Azie Grand Cafe, as of April 2016 the certification was under negotiation*

台北晶華酒店, 台北市中山區中山北路2段39巷3號,  +886 2 2523 8,000

Atami Hotel, a three-star hotel which offers Chinese and Western group meals, breakfast and accommodation, Beitou district, certification expires March 2017 for accommodation and the Zolang Hung Mall restaurant

台北熱海大飯店, 台北市北投區光明路258號

+886 2 2891 5161

Amba Taipei Ximending, Wanhua District, for accommodation plus Western set meals and breakfast at the Chiba Restaurant, certification expires August 2016

台北西門町意舍吃吧, 台北市萬華區武昌街二段77號5樓

+886 2 2375 5111

Taipei - halal dining

Alibaba Indian Kitchen, Zhongshan district, certification expires January 2018

台北阿里巴巴的廚房, 台北市中山區南京東路2段56號2樓

+886 2 2567 7163

Kunming Islamic Food, Zhongshan district, certification expires June 2016

台北清真昆明園餐廳, 台北市松山區復興北路81巷26號

+886 2 2751 6776

The Best Pakistani and Indian Halal Restaurant, Zhongshan district*

+886 2 2773 3227

Halal Bismilla Restaurant (Thai food), Songshan district, certification expiring January 2018

台北泰鄉雲店餐廳, 台北市松山區北寧路40號

+886 2 2577 9271

Hui Guan, Songshan District, not clear what type of cuisine is served, certification expires August 2017

台北回館餐廳, 台北巿松山區八德路三段12巷51弄9號,

+886 2 2577 9851

Yunus Halal Restaurant (Thai food), Songshan district (a few doors away from Halal Bismilla), certification expires January 2018

台北清真泰富豪餐廳, 台北市松山區北寧路36號

+886 2 2579 0528

Casablanca, Zhongzheng District, for Moroccan cuisine

台北卡薩布蘭加餐飲店, 台北市中正區忠孝西路1段49號微風2樓, certification expires May 2017

(mobile number available only)

Muslim Beef Noodles Restaurant, Zhongzheng district, certification expires September 2016

台北清真黃牛肉麵館, 台北市中正區延平南路23號

+886 2 2331 8203

Toko Sakura, Zhongzheng District, for Indonesian snacks (serves a maximum of 20), certification expires March 2018
台北加福堂餐飲店, 台北市中正區辛亥路一段27號
+886 2 2364 3765

City Kebab Turkish Shawarma, Da An district, certification expires October 2017
台北CityKebab 土耳其沙威瑪, 台北市大安區師大路45號之1
(mobile number available only)

Pharoahs – Egyptian Restaurant & Cafe, Da An District*
+886 2 3365 3397

Taj Indian Restaurant, Da An district, certification expiring February 2018
台北泰姬印度餐廳, 台北市大安區市民大道四段48巷1號
+886 2 8773 0175

Tajin Moroccan Cuisine, Da An District, certification expires March 2017
台北塔吉摩洛哥料理, 台北市大安區基隆路二段144巷3號
+886 2 2732 7296

Toko Sakura, Da An District, for Indonesian snacks (serves a maximum of 20), certification expires March 2018
台北加福堂餐飲店+, 台北市大安區新生南路二段74號
+886 2 2391 6011

Taipei - Muslim-friendly dining

Chang Beef Noodle Shop, Zhongzheng district (a few doors away from Muslim Beef Noodles), certification expires February 2017

台北張家清真黃牛肉麵, 台北市中正區延平南路21號

+886 2 2331 2791

Ice Monster, Da An District, for iced desserts, certification expires March 2017

台北冰館, 台北市大安區忠孝東路四段297號

+886 2 8771 3263

Really Good Seafood, Da An district, certification expires August 2016

台北真的好海鮮餐廳, 台北市大安區復興南路一段222號

+886 2 2771 3000

Dingxian 101 (seafood), Taipei City, certification expires September 2016

台北頂鮮101景觀餐廳, 台北市信義區信義路五段7號86F

+886 2 8101 8686

Silks Palace at the National Palace Museum (Chinese food), Shilin district, certification expires September 2016

台北故宮晶華餐廳, 台北巿士林區至善路2段221號

+886 2 2882 9393

New Taipei City - Muslim-friendly accommodation

Fullon Hotel Shen Keng, a five-star hotel which offers Chinese and Western group meals, breakfast and accommodation, Shenkeng district, for accommodation and the Happy Garden restaurant, certification expiring August 2016

新北深坑福容大飯店, 新北市深坑區北深路三段236號

+886 2 2662 0088

Pa Fan Ken Homestay, offering breakfast and accommodation, Ruifang district, certification expires August 2016 for accommodation and the restaurant

新北八番坑舊道口民宿, 新北市瑞芳區輕便路43號

+886 2 2497 5291

Wulai Pause Landis Resort, offers Chinese and Western group meals, breakfast and accommodation, for accommodation and the Marble Restaurant*

+886 2 2661 7772

New Taipei City - halal dining

Thai Wang Muslim Thai Food Restaurant, Zhonghe district, certification expires December 2016

新北泰旺泰式餐廳, 新北市中和區南華路50號1樓

+886 2 2242 6188

Taoyuan County - Muslim-friendly accommodation

City Suites Taoyuan Gateway, offers seafood group meals, breakfast and accommodation, Dayuan district, certification expires September 2016 for accommodation and the B1 Restaurant

桃園城市商旅航空館, 桃園市大園區中正東路442號

+886 3 385 3017

Chuto Plaza Hotel, a four-star hotel that offers Western set meals, breakfast and accommodation*

+886 3 376 5077

Taoyuan County - halal dining

Different Muslim Restaurant* for Thai-Myanmar meals, seats a maximum of 20 people, certification expires June 2016

桃園不一樣小吃店, 桃園市中壢區龍東路46號

+886 3 436 9474

Taoyuan County - Muslim-friendly dining

Dennis Deli at Taoyuan International Airport, certification expires January 2017

桃園桃機丹尼斯小廚, 桃園機場第二航廈3樓出境區C9

+886 3 393 2968

Hsin Tung Yang Middle East Halal Kitchen at Taoyuan International Airport, certification expires March 2017

桃園桃機新東陽, 桃園機場第一航廈B1美食廣場

+886 3 383 3116

Ferris Wheel Restaurant at the Window on China Theme Park, Longtan township, for fast food meals, certification expires June 2016

桃園小人國主題樂園, 桃園市龍潭區高原村橫岡下60之2號

+886 3 471 7211 extension 358

Hsinchu City - Muslim-friendly accommodation

The Ambassador Hotel Hsinchu, a five-star hotel, for Western set meals and breakfast at the Promenade restaurant, and accommodation. Certification expires August 2016

新竹國賓飯店, 新竹巿中華路二段188號

+886 3 515 1111

Hsinchu County - Muslim-friendly dining

Aladdin Restaurant at the Leofoo Village Theme Park, for Middle Eastern cuisine, Guanxi Township, certification expires September 2016
新竹六福村阿拉丁餐廳, 新竹縣關西鎮仁安里拱子溝60號,
+886 3 547 5665 extension 3401

Miaoli County - Muslim-friendly accommodation

Zhuo Ye Cottage, for Chinese set meals, breakfast and accommodation, certification expires in September 2016
苗栗卓也小屋, 苗栗縣三義鄉雙潭村崩山下1-9號
+886 37 879 198

Champs Friendship Room at West Lake Resortopia, for Chinese and Western group meals, breakfast and accommodataion, Sanyi Township, certification expires in August 2016
苗栗西湖渡假村, 苗栗縣三義鄉西湖村西湖11號
+886 37 874 656

Taichung City - halal dining

Anatolia Turkish Restaurant, West District, certification expires January 2018
台中安拿朵利亞土耳其餐廳, 台中市西區精誠路150號
+886 4 2320 2186

Little India Muslim Restaurant, three outlets in West District, certification expires November 2017
台中小印度清真餐廳博館, 台中市西區博館三街60號
+886 4 2326 1425

台中小印度清真餐廳精誠店, 台中市西區精誠路 103號
+886 4 2326 5411

台中小印度清真餐廳健行店, 台中市西區健行路 1017號
+886 4 2326 7075

Little India Muslim Restaurant, North District, certification expires November 2017
台中小印度清真餐廳育德館, 台中市北區育德路60號
+886 4 2206 6639

Nantou County - Muslim-friendly accommodation

Tai-Yi Ecological Leisure Farm, Red Maple Boutique Hotel, a four-star hotel offering Chinese and Western group meals plus breakfast at its South Garden Banquet Hall, and accommodation, Puli Township, certification expires June 2016
南投台一休閒農場, 南投縣埔里鎮中山路1段176號
+886 49 299 7848

Fleur de China, a five-star hotel offering Chinese set meals, breakfast at its Rainbow Cloud restaurant, and accommodation, Yuchi Township, certification expires August 2016
南投雲品溫泉酒店, 南投縣魚池鄉日月潭中正路23號
+886 49 221 2999

Nantou County - Muslim-friendly dining

Sen Shi Ba Leisure Farm's restaurant has Chinese set meals and Chinese group meals, Mingjian Township, certification expires October 2016
南投森十八休閒農場, 南投縣名間鄉田仔村田仔巷16-8號
+886 49 227 3797

Taitung City - halal dining

ETaiwan Restaurant for Middle Eastern and Chinese group meals, Taitung City, certification expires March 2018
台東益台灣餐廳, 台東縣太麻里鄉太麻里街575號
+886 89 383 969

Taitung City - Muslim-friendly dining

Formosan Naruwan Hotel & Resort Taitung, for its Jade Garden restaurant, Chinese and Western group meals, Taitung City, certification expires September 2016
台東娜路彎大酒店, 台東縣台東市連航路66號
+886 89 225 000

Taiwan also has six mosques, two in the capital Taipei alone: the Taipei Grand Mosque at 62, Xinsheng South Road Section 2, Da An district, and the Taipei Cultural Mosque, at 3, Lane 25, Xinhai Road Section 1 in the Zhongzheng district of Taipei. Taoyuan county, in the outskirts of Taipei, hosts Long Gang Mosque at 216 Longdong Road, Zhongli City.

The remaining mosques are in Taichung, 457 Dadun South Road, Nantun District, in Tainan at 12, Alley 34, Lane 77,  Zhonghua East Road Section 3, Eastern district, and in Kaohsiung, at 11 Jianjun Road, Lingya District.

Interested?

The Chinese Muslim Association (traditional Chinese only) maintains a list of Muslim-friendly and halal hotels and restaurants***. The association suggests reserving Muslim meals three days in advance at Muslim-friendly establishments to ensure availability. Call +886 2 2392 7364 with questions from 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays.

Enquiries can also be made at the Taiwan Visitors' Association offices in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, as well as at the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association offices in mainland China.

*No details are available online from the Chinese Muslim Association as of the time of writing. Please call to check.

**This establishment was marked as in the midst of extending its certification as of April 2016. Please call to check.

***The list, in Excel format, is in traditional Chinese only. There is a list of names, addresses and phone numbers, plus dates of expiry for certification. The serial numbers of the certifications are in the columns marked 友善餐旅 - Muslim-friendly dining and travel; 友善餐廳 - Muslim-friendly dining; and 清真餐廳 - halal dining. MR= Muslim restaurant; MFR= Muslim-friendly restaurant; MFT= Muslim-friendly tourism.

posted from Bloggeroid

Halal Taiwan Expo to run from June 24 to 27 in Taipei

Source: HALAL TAIWAN

Taiwan extends its economic outreach to Muslims in 2015 with a third edition of HALAL TAIWAN: Taiwan International Halal Expo, showcasing non-food products alongside food products for the first time. A growing halal industry on the island offers a comprehensive range of certified halal products. Taiwan boasts hundreds of manufacturers of halal products, including halal foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Products to expect include Grand International's Assam tea in various flavours, Signwin Food Enterprise's powdered beverages in various flavours, Agri-Dragon Biotech's Viachi Micro Whole Food Nutrition-with Salvia Miltiorrhiza Extract (Sugar reduced), a food supplement, and the Perfect White Serum and Lotion Essence skincare products from Angelfun Enterprises.

Organised by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and co-organised by the Taiwan Halal Integrity Development Association (THIDA) and the Chinese Muslim Association (CMA), HALAL TAIWAN: Taiwan International Halal Expo will be held from June 24 to 27, 2015 from 9am to 5pm. The event is open to trade visitors every day, while the public may visit on June 27 with paid admission.

The event is co-located with FOOD TAIPEI, TAIPEI PACK, Foodtech & Pharmatech TAIPEI and Taiwan HORECA at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1.

Interested?

Read about the 2014 event in the blog post on Suroor Asia
View the show map

Vietnamese interest in deep ocean minerals, says PDOB

Pacific Deep Ocean Biotech Company (PDOB)  is determined to make its Enriched Deep Ocean Minerals (DOM) a household name in Asian nutrition. The company has already launched DOM in Taiwan, mainland China, Japan, and Australia, and introduced DOM to Vietnam at the Food ingredients Vietnam trade show. The rollout will continue with Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and India in the next six months.

Said Harry Chai, Global Business Development Manager, PDOB: "Vietnamese companies embraced our standardised, enriched Deep Ocean Mineral ingredients with unprecedented enthusiasm. The rapidly expanding Vietnamese nutrition and supplement industry saw immediate application for our DOM products in the sports performance and cholesterol control segments. One beverage manufacturer saw the value of DOM's 'natural' claim and wanted to use it in their natural sports and energy drink formulations."

PDOB supplies standardised and customised deep ocean mineral compounds from the deep ocean waters located at the east coast of Taiwan for the beverage and nutritional supplement industry. The mineral solutions are certified halal. The main applications for beverages are associated with fatigue relief and accelerated recovery after physical challenges. 

Second Halal Taiwan expo from June 25

The 2014 Taiwan International Halal Expo (Halal Taiwan) will be held for the second time as part of a 5 in 1 Food Expo from June 25 to 28 at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1, targeting the halal market which is estimated to be worth US$700 billion. 

In 2013, Halal Taiwan was spun off as an independent event from the halal section of Food Taipei. The show features halal certificd products. According to organisers the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (Taitra), the first Halal Taiwan has attracted 353 registered Indonesian buyers, a growth of more than 80% compared to 2012.

Halal Taiwan is part of a 5-in-1 Food expo that covers all aspects of the food supply chain. It is held in conjunction with the Taipei International Food Show (Food Taipei), the Taipei International Food Processing & Pharma Machinery Show (Foodtech & Pharmatech Taipei), the Taipei International Packaging Industry Show (Taipei Pack) and the Taiwan International Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Show (Taiwan Horeca).

Source: Taitra. Sunnano Biotech's booth in 2013.

Yunlin Yuanchuang Poultry Product Coop. is presenting both fresh and prepared products while Lee's Biotechniques will introduce cosmetics. Rice and oatmeal-based products will be showcased by Golden Crops. Thirty other exhibitors will also be launching new products at the show. A list of exhibitors can be found here.

The event is open to trade only from June 25 to 27, and to the public at NT$300 on June 28 (terms and conditions apply).