Holista CollTech Ltd (Holista) and SunFresh Fruit Hub Sdn Bhd (Fruit Hub) have announced a research and development collaboration to produce three key healthy ingredients for the global Bubble Tea industry, a popular global drink fad that has raised serious concerns about its effect on diabetes and obesity.
Bubble Tea originated in Taiwan and has spread rapidly to other parts of Asia. The Taiwan Bubble Tea market alone is expected to grow to US$3.21 billion by 2023 from US$1.96 billion in 2016, according to Allied Market research. An independent market analysis firm, Straits Research, has estimated Malaysia’s Bubble Tea market at US$49.8 million (RM 209 million) and growing at a rate of 6.9 per cent from 2019 to 2026.
Holista, a food ingredients specialist listed in Australia, and Fruit Hub, which processes and packages fruit juices and beverage ingredients, said that the Bubble Tea sector is growing rapidly, but many consumers are not aware of the consequences to personal health. A typical 500 ml Bubble Tea drink contains at least 8.5 teaspoons of sugar, although customers can opt for a less-sweetened product. Each cup can contain anywhere between 281 to 640 calories.
Holista and Fruit Hub will co-develop healthy versions of three Bubble Tea ingredients without altering the taste and mouth-feel. All three ingredients will have a lower Glycemic Index (“GI”), which measures a food’s impact on blood sugar. A lower GI is healthier as more time is taken to digest and absorb glucose. A higher GI spikes up blood sugar levels, causing diabetes and increasing the chances of obesity, stroke and heart disease.
The first is low-GI ‘pearls’, tapioca starch balls measuring 0.8 to 1.0 cm each which account for about a third of the drink’s calorie count. Holista will combine its patented GI-Lite(TM), an all-natural formula with tapioca starch to lower the GI without any discernible change in taste or texture. Fruit Hub is processing the ‘pearls’ at its facility in Lanchang, Pahang state, Malaysia using a formula of its Taiwanese partner, YongDa Food Technology Co. Ltd. Subject to final tests, the partners expect to lower the GI of the ‘pearls’ from the 70-75 currently to below 55.
The second is a sugar syrup using Holista’s proprietary low-GI and low-calorie sugar, 80Less(TM), that has 80% fewer calories and yet delivers the same taste sensation; this not only reduces unhealthy effects but also lowers costs for manufacturers and vendors.
The third is Holista’s proprietary low-GI sugar caramel (brown sugar) which retains sweetness with lower calories. Made from molasses, it is used as a pre-pour to sweeten the ‘pearls’or as a medium to cook them.
All three products will be tested by the Sydney University GI Research Service (“SUGiRS”) by the end of next month before hitting local and international markets by the first quarter of 2020. SUGiRS has already validated the low-GI versions of flour-based noodles and flatbreads co-produced by Holista with scores that are significantly lower than products currently available.
Fruit Hub’s parent company in Taiwan supplies tapioca ‘pearls’ to several Bubble Tea chains in Greater China with a combined network of over 5,000 stores. Fruit Hub has started manufacturing the ‘pearls’ in Lanchang, Malaysia with production expected to hit 12.5 tonnes a day or 300,000 tonnes – equivalent to six million cups of the drink – a month by December 2019. HCT and Fruit Hub through this collaboration will provide the low GI ingredients to some of this manufacturing.
According to a popular online food delivery app, Bubble Tea orders in Southeast Asia increased 3,000% in 2018 year on year. The app is connected to the 4,000 Bubble Tea outlets in the region, which are growing at a rate of 200%. Its data also shows that consumers in the region gulp down at least four cups a month, led by Thailand (six cups), Philippines (five) and three for each of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
Dr Rajen Manicka, Founder and CEO of Holista, said, “The Bubble Tea fad is not going to go away. The challenge is to offer a healthier version which can significantly reduce the potential of higher incidence of diabetes and obesity. We are combining science with the market reach and understanding of the needs of Bubble Tea manufacturers and vendors to offer a healthier alternative without increasing cost of production”
Ms Foong Wai Fong, Managing Director of Fruit Hub, said, “This is a Malaysian collaboration by an Australian company which can transform the global Bubble Tea industry for the better. Fruit Hub has a strong network among the major Bubble Tea chains. We are confident that these three ingredients will make a real difference and can take the creative beverage industry to a new level – a tastier and healthier version in which consumers can enjoy the drink without health concerns.”
“It is our vision that this endeavour will place Malaysia as a centre of innovation in the beverage sector.” she added.
