Milksha: How a Dairy Farmer Created a Global Bubble Tea Brand

Milksha stands out in the bubble tea world because it uses real milk and natural ingredients. While many other shops use artificial creamers, this Taiwan-based chain focuses on quality. Let's learn how a dairy farmer turned his love for good milk into a worldwide success story.

From Farm to First Shop

Lin Chien-yeh grew up on a dairy farm in southern Taiwan. At his Green Light Ranch, he made sure his cows ate the best food so they would make sweet, smooth milk. In 2004, Lin opened his first drink shop in Jiali District, Tainan. He wanted to make drinks with real milk instead of fake alternatives. His simple idea had a simple motto too: "All we have is pureness and joy."

Why Quality Matters

Milksha (first called Milkshop) chose a different path than most bubble tea chains:

  • No artificial colors
  • No preservatives
  • No non-dairy creamers
  • Only real, fresh ingredients

This focus on quality worked well. By 2016, the company had more than 200 stores across Taiwan. They started a special lab to keep improving their drinks and used only top-grade tea leaves and tapioca pearls.

Taiwan has many bubble tea shops, but in 2018, people voted Milksha as the best one in a popular news poll. This showed that customers could really taste the difference.

Growing Around the World

In 2018, Milkshop changed its name to "Milksha" for its global shops and opened its first store outside Taiwan in Hong Kong. The brand then quickly spread to new countries:

  • Australia got its first shop in Melbourne in 2019
  • Canada welcomed Milksha stores shortly after
  • Japan, Singapore, and the Philippines followed
  • The UK got its first shop in London's Chinatown in 2022

Now, Milksha has about 400 stores worldwide. People everywhere seem to love bubble tea made with real ingredients. This global growth mirrors what other food chains like Starbucks have achieved in becoming international favorites.

Smart Business Moves

Not every business decision was about opening new stores. In 2019, Milksha left the Chinese market completely. This let them focus on places where they could grow better.

A big change came in 2021 when Jollibee Foods Corporation, a big restaurant company from the Philippines, bought 51% of Milksha International for $12.8 million. This team-up helped Milksha grow faster in Southeast Asia, where other popular chains like KFC and Dairy Queen have also found success.

What Makes Their Drinks Special

Milksha controls every step of making their drinks. They start with milk from their own dairy farm and test new recipes in their labs. They pick the best tea leaves and tapioca pearls from Taiwan. For fruit drinks, they freeze the juice quickly to keep it fresh.

This careful approach has earned them awards like:

  • 3-Star rating at the 2023 Anti-Additive Taste Awards
  • Yushan National Award for Popularity in 2023
  • Yushan National Award for Popularity again in 2024

These prizes show that experts and customers both think Milksha makes great drinks.

Helping the Planet Too

Milksha cares about more than just selling drinks. They run a project called "Green Light" that supports farmers who use earth-friendly methods. They also work with farming communities to make life better for people who grow food.

Many Milksha stores have farm-themed designs. This reminds customers about where their drinks come from and connects city people with farm life.

Going From One Shop to 400

Milksha has come a long way from its start on a dairy farm. By sticking to real ingredients and true flavors, they've built a company that spans many countries. Lin Chien-yeh's vision of "pureness and joy" turned a small milk shop into a big success.

Tasting the Difference

Next time you drink a Milksha bubble tea, think about its story. Each cup contains more than just tea and milk – it has a dairy farmer's dream inside. Whether you're in Taipei or London, you're tasting something made with care at every step.

Milksha shows that sometimes the simple choice – using real, fresh ingredients – can be the best one. Their success proves that many people can taste the difference between real and fake. In a world where coffee chains like Black Canyon Coffee and Coffee World compete for customers, Milksha has carved out its own space by focusing on quality bubble tea. As bubble tea gets more popular worldwide, Milksha keeps winning fans by staying true to quality.