Twrl Tea Is A Women-Owned Brand Making Bubble Tea Healthier and More Accessible
Meet the women behind the pioneering organic, plant-based milk tea brand that is redefining the bubble tea narrative
10 May 2025
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Photo Credit: Twrl Milk Tea
Long-time friends Pauline Ang and Olivia Chen grew up with bubble milk tea and, during the pandemic, founded Twrl Milk Tea in San Francisco. They transformed a nostalgic childhood favourite into a thriving brand that brings the flavours of their Asian heritage to the competitive U.S. beverage market.
The idea for Twrl Milk Tea was born out of a personal need for a “pick-me-up” without the guilt. The average sugar content in a conventional bubble tea is anywhere between 50-100g. It is also highly calorific (300-500 kcal), depending on the amount of tapioca pearls or other extra toppings. As busy moms, Pauline and Olivia wanted something better for themselves and their kids. The duo realised then that there was a gap in the US beverage market for a healthier and sustainable version of their favourite drink. With Twrl, they also wanted to bring the cafe-style tea drinking experience conveniently to the home.
Twrl Milk Tea is a premium canned milk tea that blends sustainability, innovation and heritage in each sip. It is consciously made from single-origin, organic fair-trade tea grown in China and Japan that practice sustainable farming techniques. Twrl is gluten-free, keto, nut-free and dairy-free as it is made with non-GMO pea milk.
Pea milk is touted as the most sustainable plant-based milk on the market. Pea milk produces four times fewer carbon emissions than a glass of dairy milk. It uses 85% less water than almond milk and requires less fertiliser than oat and soy milk combined. Twrl’s pea milk, like their tea leaves, is sourced from multi-generational family farms in China and the US.
Without any artificial flavouring, Twrl is low calorie (45-50 kcal) and low sugar (6-7g). The canned drinks are nitro-infused for a smoother and creamier taste, without additional fats or creamers, adding to the perfect balance of flavour and sweetness. To top things off, Twrl can be enjoyed both hot and cold.
Photo Credit: Twrl Milk Tea
There are 4 flavours available – Taiwan Style Black Milk Tea, Hojicha Roasted Green Milk Tea, Jasmine Pu-erh Milk Tea and most recently, Ube Milk Tea. Fans can look forward to exciting new tea latte flavours, new boba toppings and formats plus an exciting new boba kit in Autumn 2025. Twrl hopes to expand into the Asian market over the next few years. “We’ve been focused on creating a better-for-you alternative, and we see this trend slowly taking action in the drink category in Asia too,” Pauline shared.
As a 100% women and AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islanders) owned and run company, Pauline and Olivia are part of a new trend of Asian Americans channelling their heritage and childhood experiences to create emerging plant-based products that stand out in the crowded CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) scene. Pauline, founder and CEO of Twrl, was born in Hong Kong, where she remembers her mom ordering hot tea and milk (the British way) at every restaurant. Growing up in Hawaii, the only US state where much of the population is Asian, Pauline, a former Design Director with 15 years in branding and packaging design, is nostalgic for Asian-inspired drinks as Asian fusion was the norm for her back then.
Co-founder and CMO, Olivia, grew up in Northern California, and the connection to her roots grew through food as she recalls her relatives visiting from Taiwan and introducing her to goodies such as nougat candies, pineapple cakes and bubble tea. She fondly remembers brewing different types of teas and experimenting with toppings in her home. Before Twrl, Olivia led marketing teams at Estee Lauder. She also worked as a Publicist for authors of Amazon and New York Times best sellers.
Photo Credit: TungLok Group
Pauline Ang and Olivia Chen founded Twrl Milk Tea in San Francisco during the pandemic | Photo credit: Twrl Milk Tea
Twrl’s journey has been nothing short of impressive. When the brand soft-launched in 2021, more than 100,000 cans were sold in less than 10 months. In addition to selling on Amazon, they have vastly expanded their reach and are currently stocked in more than 2500 retailers across the US, including major retail and supermarket chains such as Whole Foods, Home Goods, World Market and Sprouts. In 2022, Twrl Milk Tea won BevNet’s Best New Beverage, was an Expo West Nexty Best New Beverage Finalist and is rated “Highly Recommended” by the coveted Bon Appétit Magazine.
It is apparent that not only has Twrl succeeded in bringing the humble bubble tea to the masses, but it has also elevated the drink’s status from an indulgent treat to a healthy, sustainable drink of choice. They have given bubble tea a complete makeover, made it relevant and ensured its longevity in the marketplace. “We want to make boba tea and its culture accessible to everyone. That means educating people about the quality of tea and its benefits,” Pauline explained.
Photo credit: Twrl Milk Tea
Author: Li May Loo
Limay is a freelance writer, a passionate storyteller, and a dedicated foodie who has spent the past 20 years living in China, with the last 12 years immersed in the rustic charm of Dali countryside. A city girl at heart, she balances the quiet rhythm of rural life with a deep curiosity about people, places and flavours.
