Loob Holding, the owner of top regional lifestyle tea brand Tealive, which recently commissioned its RM10 million tapioca pearl plant in Malaysia will ramp up production to 300 tonnes per month for it to be fully self-sufficient by next month.
Loob founder and CEO Bryan Loo disclosed this during a factory tour with the media today, adding that the factory would expand its range next year to produce other ingredients used by Tealive.
“Our plant has an installed capacity of 400 tonnes per month. Currently, we’re producing about 100 tonnes a month. By year-end, we’ll triple production to 300 tonnes per month and this will be enough for our own internal use,” he said.
Loo added that the factory would soon expand its range to other materials required for the popular Tealive range of drinks.
He explained that Loob’s partners, Zhejiang Boduo International Trade Co Ltd and Shanghai Panfei International Trade Co Ltd, were among the world’s largest manufacturers of beverage ingredients.
With Loob’s vision and unwavering commitment to excellence, transformation and innovation in the beverage industry in Malaysia and beyond, it is set to collaborate further with its China partners.
“Loob believes in reinvesting locally to help transform Malaysia into a hub of excellence for the food and beverage industry. With the support of our China-based partners, we have helped to bring in foreign direct investment into Malaysia.
“We have achieved a breakthrough here and we are confident we can collaborate even more closely in the future. With their expertise, technology and market reach and our strong halal heritage, we can go out together to penetrate more markets, especially for halal ingredients,” he said.
Loob’s plant will also start exporting its tapioca pearls next year, first to the Philippines where Tealive has a strong foothold, Loo said.
Bubble tea has gained a global following and tapioca pearls with its delightful chewy texture enhances the overall experience. Yet many bubble tea lovers are not familiar with the unique process of producing these tapioca pearls from the humble plant that is often grown in the backyards of Asian homes.
“It really is magical how tapioca is transformed into the chewy pearls that we love. You will see that it’s a delicate process that also needs patience and accurate measurements,” Loo told reporters.
Media members were shown the entire process of pearl making:
Mixing – Workers start with tapioca starch and mix it to get a damp, caramel-coloured powder.
Beading – The starch is carefully mixed with water and tumbled around to start the shaping process.
Tumbling – Once the starter beads are formed, they require more water, and more starch, to grow.
Sorting – Pearls are sorted by size when they’re finished, and,
Packing – Pearls are packed and vacuum-sealed and shipped out in cartons.
“Tealive is all about creating the best overall customer experience for all with the highest quality beverages. Building this tapioca pearl plant aligns seamlessly with our pursuit of excellence.
“By controlling the entire production process, from sourcing the finest ingredients to crafting our signature tapioca pearls, Tealive ensures that every sip of our beverages reflects the pinnacle of quality and flavour. And we will continue to make further investments – for example, by installing a fully-automated packaging line next year,” Loo added.