Does Cup Matter? (Paper Vs Plastic for Bubble Tea Shop)

moneytomyway on 20/02/2019 - 20:29
Last edited 21/02/2019 - 09:44 by 1 other user

Hi all,

I am on my last steps to finalize the preparation for my tea shop, and I need Ozbarginers to help me out on deciding the choice of cups!!
Most of the bubble tea shops in Australia are using plastic cups; they are cheaper and provides visibility of the drinks when comparing to paper cups.

Environmental reason aside, do you feel/considered shops using paper cups are more up-market compare to shops using plastic cups?
Please let me know me your thoughts via the poll, there is only one question and please spare me with your 5 second.

Thanks all!!

Poll Options expired

  • 27
    Yes - I would feel/considered shops with paper cups more up market
  • 77
    No - It doesn't really make a difference
Food & Grocery Cup

Comments

  • Trung on 20/02/2019 - 20:35
    +18

    Environmental reason aside.
    I don't like paper cups, they feel flimsy.
    I would consider paper cups as being cheaper, rather than more up-market.

  • Clear on 20/02/2019 - 20:45
    +18

    Being able to see bubble tea is an important part of it's image.

    Those who have these cute love heart cup lids are more upmarket than those without ;)

    • moneytomyway on 20/02/2019 - 21:32

      Thanks!! Will put the heart cup lid onto my list!

    • Loopholio on 21/02/2019 - 11:04

      I agree, seeing the bubbles is a big part of bubble tea. Maybe sell reusable glasses?

      • Clear on 21/02/2019 - 11:05

        If it was me I'd offer clear cups and paper. To encourage people to have paper cups offer a 5-10c discount.

  • qwerty on 20/02/2019 - 20:48
    +6

    If its regular tea - paper is fine

    If its bubble or iced tea - people want to see the drink

  • Godric on 20/02/2019 - 20:52
    +2

    Another tea shop XD

    • ego22 on 20/02/2019 - 21:16
      +3

      its actually impossible to have to many.

  • modgod on 20/02/2019 - 20:57
    +2

    Got to be clear for bbtea yoo
    I want some of that brown sugar latte with pearls

  • SnoozeAndLose on 20/02/2019 - 21:03
    +2

    If you can make it $6.5 for 2 large size than no matter what you use, people queuing up for it.

    • moneytomyway on 20/02/2019 - 21:35
      +1

      You wouldn't think if a shop sells 2 for $6.5, they must use shit ingredients?

      • Hybroid on 21/02/2019 - 00:02
        +2

        No, it's essentially bulk purchased flavour powder, creamer powder, sugar or sweetner and water/tea/milk…

        You're paying for brand/service/novelty, not 'quality' ingredients.

        To answer your question, clear cups are definitely more upmarket. You might be able to get plant-based plastic ones nowadays. Unlikely to be cheap though.

        • HighAndDry on 21/02/2019 - 01:59
          +1

          it's essentially bulk purchased flavour powder, creamer powder, sugar or sweetner and water/tea/milk…

          I think that's what OP is trying not to be.

      • SnoozeAndLose on 21/02/2019 - 06:08

        Town hall one is selling $6.5 for 2 with paper cup and they brew their tea using a coffee machine like which so popular, I cant see their fresh brew tea shitter than chattime pouring tea from a jar.

        If you work in Sydney CBD you will know

        • dust on 21/02/2019 - 09:20
          +2

          brew their tea using a coffee machine like which so popular, I cant see their fresh brew tea shitter than chattime pouring tea from a jar.

          What?

  • rompastompa on 20/02/2019 - 21:06
    +11

    Most men prefer larger cup sizes. It doesn't matter if they're plastic.

    Just make sure they're biodegradable plastic cups:

    Most biodegradable cups are made from PLA (polylactic acid) plastic. PLA is a polymer made from high levels of polylactic acid molecules. For PLA to biodegrade, you must break up the polymer by adding water to it (a process known as hydrolyzing). Heat and moisture are required for hydrolyzing to occur.

  • ego22 on 20/02/2019 - 21:13
    +1

    if u gave me bubble tea in a paper cup.
    i along with my legion of asians would never go to your store again.

    whats the max size of paper cups anyway?
    500ml?

    bubble tea is like 600ml - 1L ?

    • moneytomyway on 20/02/2019 - 21:33

      Paper cups also come in 700ml - large sizes in majority of shops

  • Quantumcat on 20/02/2019 - 21:17
    +3

    Paper cups get soggy and bendy and the lid may eventually fall off and cause spillage as the customer grips the cup.

  • CodeXD on 20/02/2019 - 21:25
    +1

    No to paper cup.

    There is also a clear difference between the cheapo cup from chatime compared to the harder plastic gong cha cup. Make the right choice.

    • moneytomyway on 20/02/2019 - 21:34

      Thanks, that's why I created this poll, to hear you out!

  • jjjaar on 20/02/2019 - 22:06
    +3

    I like seeing through them in the plastic, because then I can find all my pieces quicker haha. But I wouldn’t say paper or plastic is more upmarket than the other.

    (Now, can I not put environmental aside? The paper ones would be lined with plastic to avoid becoming to flimsy (like coffee cups), which would actually make them equally as shit as plastic for the environment. Offer discounts for people that byo cup!)

  • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2019 - 22:15
    +2

    I think the sealed top is important, too.

  • CyberMurning on 20/02/2019 - 22:21

    i thought of different cup (size).

    ohhhhh time to sleep

  • serpserpserp on 20/02/2019 - 23:07
    +1

    OP - How is your bubble tea shop different from the rest?

    • onetwothreefour on 21/02/2019 - 06:17
      +1

      He's going to use paper cups.

      • moneytomyway on 21/02/2019 - 14:41

        lol I wish it is that simple :(

  • bdl on 20/02/2019 - 23:32
    +6

    Two bubbles, one cup

  • Tech5 on 20/02/2019 - 23:56
    +1

    There are certain paper cups which I guess feels premium. Depending on the design, it can definitely come off higher quality than flimsy plastic. Design is very important though. Also the "feel" of it. For e.g. corrugated like the boost juice cups

  • [Deactivated] on 21/02/2019 - 01:09
    +3

    Need to be have a nice clear view of the maggots through the cup, otherwise… what's the point ?

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/434052

    Would just be kind of like having a fishbowl, with windows blacked out entirely to give the fish some privacy. A good idea, in principle.

    • moneytomyway on 21/02/2019 - 08:30

      Damn, this is truly disgusting to just read…

      • [Deactivated] on 21/02/2019 - 10:53
        +2

        I definitely wouldn't be buying 1 without the see through cup after reading that guy's post.

  • onetwothreefour on 21/02/2019 - 06:18
    +2

    I like drinking tea from a mug

  • Some Human on 21/02/2019 - 08:47
    +2

    I just came for the bubble tea maggot jokes.

  • Sensiekatie on 21/02/2019 - 08:59
    +1

    I don’t like such beverages in disposable cups period- so IMHO both are cheap and nasty and certainly not upmarket.

    I agree liquid in paper cups are the worst- unless it is waterproofed/waxy surface on the inside - but is this good for us to consume?

    However I understand a large portion of the business would be to go, so it is a necessity to use disposables.

    Another option is to allow customers to bring their own cups - if your health laws will allow this. This was very popular in places I have frequented. Many even sell the mugs/cups with their names on here.

    Surely there is a clear and reusable item around that would work. Even better for the environment and the customer does the dishes!

    • Speckled Jim on 21/02/2019 - 09:23
      +2

      it is waterproofed/waxy surface on the inside - but is this good for us to consume?

      Fair question.
      Often — not always — paper products like teabags and coffee filters contain Epichlorohydrin in the pulp or coating.

      Safe? Yes, if you believe the ends justify the means.

  • Emilia on 21/02/2019 - 09:27
    +1

    Utopia in Perth have been using the orange waxy paper cup for nearly 20 years.
    It is like free advertising to them when you see people walking around with a Utopia cup.

    • moneytomyway on 21/02/2019 - 14:41

      I also understand they are brewing their tea is fresh brewed upon order, does that make you considered the shop is better comparing to others?

  • waterbottled on 21/02/2019 - 09:47
    +1

    I can imagine if you market your tea shop as being 'environmentally friendly' and use paper cups as a selling point, it'll be perceived as more upmarket and desirable in an ethical sort of way to stand out from every other tea shop that uses plastic cups. That's why i voted for paper cup in your poll.

    • moneytomyway on 21/02/2019 - 14:40

      My intention is trying to identify what does general public thoughts about paper cups, as I thought it does feel up market to me (looks like I was badly wrong) Nothing to do with environmental as paper cups would be as difficult to get rid of as of plastic cups.

      • Bargain80 on 22/02/2019 - 15:21

        not sure about paper cup for milk tea, but those paper cups for take away coffee are not recyclable because of the plastic lining inside the cups.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/02/2019 - 10:37
    +1

    you'd def need clear plastic. bubble tea is about being seen drinking something more disgusting than your friends. If you don't want to throw up looking at the garbage other people are drinking, you're doing bubble tea wrong.

  • Zachary on 21/02/2019 - 18:14
    +1

    I prefer my cups to be nice and soft and firm….naturally, the bigger they are the better! ☺ …but obviously not too big or else I won't be able to grasp it with a strong enough grip without it slipping off…. :/

  • HeWhoKnows on 21/02/2019 - 21:53

    Presentation is everything!

    Thats why most bubble tea shops use plastic

    The product looks yummy!

  • MeesusEff on 22/02/2019 - 02:01
    +1

    I'm one of those that savour my bubble tea goodness as slowly as possible, sometimes overnight. Would have more trust in plastic rather than think about if the paper cup will start to leak in my fridge

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