What Types of PET Cups Are Suitable for Milk Tea, Coffee and Fruit Tea?

2025-12-02

When it comes to serving beverages like milk tea, coffee, and fruit tea, choosing the right cup is more than just a matter of aesthetics. The type of cup you select can affect both the drinking experience and your business efficiency. PET cups have become a popular choice for cafes, bubble tea shops, and juice bars due to their durability, clarity, and eco-friendly properties. But with different types of PET cups available, how do you know which is best for your drinks? This guide will explore the differences between regular PET cups and U-shaped PET cups, helping you make an informed choice for your business.


Understanding PET Cups


PET, short for polyethylene terephthalate, is a type of plastic that is lightweight, strong, and highly transparent. These qualities make it ideal for beverages that rely on visual appeal, like colorful fruit teas or creamy milk teas. Beyond its appearance, PET is also known for being food-safe and recyclable, which is crucial for businesses that aim to meet consumer demand for sustainable packaging.


Why Regular PET Cups Are a Popular Choice


Regular PET cups are the standard choice for many beverage shops. Their straight-sided design is familiar, versatile, and compatible with most cup lids. Regular PET cups are ideal for milk tea or coffee because they can hold a variety of drink sizes, typically ranging from 300ml to 700ml. Their rigid structure ensures that hot beverages like coffee or tea are safely contained without warping or leaking.


Many shops prefer regular PET cups for their cost-effectiveness and availability. They are simple to stack, transport, and store, making them suitable for high-volume operations. When serving drinks like milk tea, which often includes toppings such as boba or pudding, the straight sides of regular PET cups provide ample space without crowding, allowing ingredients to settle evenly.


The Benefits of U-Shaped PET Cups


On the other hand, U-shaped PET cups have grown in popularity, especially in specialty tea and juice shops. Their curved design not only adds a stylish appearance but also enhances the drinking experience. The U-shaped contour provides a more comfortable grip, which is appreciated by customers on the go. For fruit teas that include floating fruit pieces or layered drinks, the curved design allows ingredients to move freely without spilling, creating an aesthetically pleasing presentation.


U-shaped PET cups are particularly well-suited for mid-sized beverages around 500ml. JKAI’s 90mm U-shape 500ml PET cup is an excellent example. Manufactured in GMP-certified clean workshops with automated production lines, this cup combines premium quality with environmental responsibility. Its innovative shape ensures your drinks look as good as they taste, enhancing the overall customer experience.


Choosing the Right PET Cup for Milk Tea


Milk tea has a creamy texture and often comes with mix-ins like tapioca pearls or jelly. To serve milk tea effectively, you need a cup that supports both the liquid and toppings. Regular PET cups are great for classic milk teas, as their straight sides allow pearls and other toppings to settle evenly at the bottom. This ensures a consistent taste with every sip.


However, if you want to create a visually appealing milk tea with layers of cream, syrup, or pudding, U-shaped PET cups can enhance the presentation. Their curved design allows layers to remain more distinct, making the drink look more enticing in photos or social media posts. The ergonomic grip also improves the customer’s drinking experience, especially for takeaway orders.


Coffee and PET Cups


Coffee, especially iced coffee or cold brew, benefits from PET cups due to their clarity and sturdiness. Regular PET cups are typically used for iced beverages because they can hold ice without warping and provide a classic, professional look. For hot coffee, many shops still rely on double-walled cups, but PET remains suitable for cold coffee drinks, frappes, and iced lattes.


For coffee shops aiming to offer a premium presentation, U-shaped PET cups can elevate the experience. The stylish curve is perfect for showcasing layered drinks like latte macchiatos or coffee with milk foam. By using a well-designed PET cup, cafes can make every drink Instagram-worthy while maintaining practicality for both staff and customers.


Fruit Tea and Presentation Matters


Fruit teas are colorful, refreshing, and often contain chunks of real fruit. The visual appeal of fruit teas makes the choice of cup crucial. U-shaped PET cups are ideal here because their transparency and elegant curves showcase the drink’s layers and vibrant colors. When serving fruit tea with floating fruit or jelly, these cups prevent ingredients from sticking to corners, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable sip.


While regular PET cups can still serve fruit teas effectively, their straight-sided design may not highlight the drink’s visual appeal as well as a U-shaped option. For brands focused on social media marketing or premium presentation, investing in U-shaped PET cups can make a significant difference in how customers perceive the product.


Highlighting a Recommended Product


One standout option is JKAI’s 90mm U-shape 500ml PET cup. Crafted in a verified GMP clean workshop and produced on intelligent automated lines, this cup guarantees consistent quality while promoting eco-friendly practices. Its 500ml size is ideal for milk tea, coffee, and fruit tea, making it a versatile choice for beverage shops seeking both functionality and aesthetics.


Sustainability and Safety Considerations


Both regular PET cups and U-shaped PET cups from reputable manufacturers like JKAI are designed with consumer safety in mind. PET is a food-safe material that can be recycled, contributing to environmental sustainability. JKAI’s production lines are automated and adhere to GMP standards, reducing contamination risks and ensuring consistent quality. By choosing these high-quality PET cups, beverage businesses not only serve drinks safely but also promote a greener, more responsible brand image.


Conclusion


Choosing the right PET cup is a crucial decision for any milk tea, coffee, or fruit tea business. Regular PET cups offer reliability, affordability, and practicality, while U-shaped PET cups bring elegance, ergonomic comfort, and enhanced presentation. By understanding the unique advantages of each type, you can select the perfect cups that elevate your beverages and delight your customers. Whether you prioritize functionality or visual appeal, investing in high-quality PET cups from trusted manufacturers like JKAI ensures that every drink you serve is safe, attractive, and environmentally responsible.


Using the right PET cup not only improves customer satisfaction but also strengthens your brand’s image in a competitive market. For vibrant fruit teas, creamy milk teas, or refreshing iced coffees, the cup you choose can make all the difference in delivering a memorable drinking experience.

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