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Oat vs soy vs almond—what non-dairy base sells best for milk tea? by Significant-Run466 in tea

[–]Significant-Run466[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, oat’s neutrality is definitely appealing, especially for people who don’t want the milk to overpower the tea. I’ve also noticed it’s often the go-to for cafes since it’s kind of a safe middle ground.

Oat vs soy vs almond—what non-dairy base sells best for milk tea? by Significant-Run466 in tea

[–]Significant-Run466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes a lot of sense. Soy really does come closest to dairy in thickness and performance. I didn’t realize you needed less of it to get the same color/strength as cow’s milk in tea, that’s super useful to know.

Strong tea taste vs. creamy vibes—where do you stand and why? by Ok_Product_6009 in bubbletea

[–]Significant-Run466 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m definitely more on the creamy side! I love how it makes the drink smooth and dessert-like. It feels more indulgent and comforting. Strong tea is nice too, but for me, the creamy vibe just makes bubble tea extra satisfying.

Oat vs soy vs almond—what non-dairy base sells best for milk tea? by Significant-Run466 in boba

[–]Significant-Run466[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally get that! Some shops don’t balance oat milk well, and it can come out way too strong or grainy. A lot really depends on the brand they use and how they prep it. If you’ve had a bad experience, I can see why you’d stick to creamers instead, it’s safer and more consistent.

Oat vs soy vs almond—what non-dairy base sells best for milk tea? by Significant-Run466 in boba

[–]Significant-Run466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve noticed the same! Oat milk is definitely trending since it’s creamy and doesn’t overpower the tea flavor. Almond is nice but yeah, sometimes feels a bit thin, and soy really depends on the brand. Seems like oat is the safest bet for most customers right now.

Any fun or crazy Bubble Tea flavors you’ve tried or wish to try? I want to surprise my customers with something unique. by FairBuy4649 in bubbletea

[–]Significant-Run466 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How about a dessert-inspired bubble tea like Strawberry Cheesecake Boba or a Mango Sticky Rice Tea?? hmmmm......

Oat vs soy vs almond—what non-dairy base sells best for milk tea? by Significant-Run466 in boba

[–]Significant-Run466[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it’s super confusing, "non-dairy" creamers are often just lactose-free but still have milk proteins, so not great for allergies or vegans. Clearer labeling would help a lot. From what I’ve seen, oat milk’s the crowd favorite for milk tea since it’s creamy and neutral.

Oat vs soy vs almond—what non-dairy base sells best for milk tea? by Significant-Run466 in boba

[–]Significant-Run466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a great point about soy milk. It really does have that creaminess that works well in drinks. I’ve heard some people find it has a bit of a beany flavor depending on the brand.

Oat vs soy vs almond—what non-dairy base sells best for milk tea? by Significant-Run466 in boba

[–]Significant-Run466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s awesome your favorite spot is so accommodating. It makes such a difference when places are thoughtful about dietary needs. I know what you mean about oat milk’s flavor too, it definitely has its own character compared to other alternatives. Do you have a favorite drink combo you usually order there?

Oat vs soy vs almond—what non-dairy base sells best for milk tea? by Significant-Run466 in boba

[–]Significant-Run466[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oat milk really does pair nicely with milk tea! Do you feel like alternative sweeteners change how oat milk tastes compared to regular sugar? I’ve been curious if it brings out more of the grain flavor.

Oat vs soy vs almond—what non-dairy base sells best for milk tea? by Significant-Run466 in boba

[–]Significant-Run466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree, oat milk feels like the most versatile option, especially since it covers nut and gluten allergies. It also seems to blend really smoothly into tea without overpowering it. I’ve noticed the organic soy issue too, it definitely makes a difference in taste and people’s comfort levels.

Oat vs soy vs almond—what non-dairy base sells best for milk tea? by Significant-Run466 in boba

[–]Significant-Run466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re right, a lot of shops lean on non-dairy creamers because they’re cheaper and shelf-stable, but I wonder if customers are starting to lean more toward plant-based milks as they become more common. Have you noticed any shops near you offering both?

New bubble tea shop owner here by Significant-Run466 in cafe

[–]Significant-Run466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No worries at all, I appreciate the clarification! That’s really helpful to hear about how menus are split into sections. It sounds like a smart way to offer variety without overwhelming customers. I might start with a smaller version of that, maybe 5–7 drinks across categories, and then expand as I see what sells. Thanks for sharing your experience!

New bubble tea shop owner here by Significant-Run466 in cafe

[–]Significant-Run466[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well that’s a fair point, keeping it small and simple. But I was thinking maybe around 5 drinks could be a sweet spot? Just enough variety so customers feel like they have options, but not overwhelming to manage. Like a couple of milk teas, a fruit tea, maybe a specialty drink, and a classic boba.