How to Create Your Own Branded Green Tea with OEM: A Guide for Cafés and Small Businesses
If you're running a café, sweets brand, or small retail business and want to offer a unique green tea product, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) is a powerful way to bring your vision to life. OEM lets you create customized green tea under your own brand—perfect for building identity and standing out in a competitive market.
In this guide, we'll explain what OEM can offer, what the minimum order quantities are, how the process works, and how to find the right manufacturing partner.
What Can Be Customized Through OEM?
OEM involves outsourcing production to a manufacturer who creates the product under your branding. For green tea, OEM lets you adjust and personalize various elements, such as:
- Sweetness level (sweetened, lightly sweetened, or unsweetened)
- Type of tea (matcha, sencha, or blended ratios)
- Texture and solubility (fine vs. coarse powder, fast-dissolving type)
- Flavoring and aroma (optional, for signature blends)
- Custom packaging design (fully branded pouches or gift sets)
You can also tailor the product size or portioning to match your business type—whether it’s for drinks, desserts, or packaged retail.
What's the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)?
MOQ can vary depending on the manufacturer and packaging complexity. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:
| OEM Type | MOQ (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Full OEM (custom packaging) | 200–500 kg |
| Semi-OEM (generic pouch only) | ~100 kg |
| Trial Batch / Sampling Phase | 10–30 kg (paid) |
If you're a small business or solo entrepreneur, look for manufacturers that offer MOQ under 100 kg.
The OEM Process: Step-by-Step
A typical OEM project for green tea follows this process:
- Initial consultation – Discuss your product vision, flavor preferences, pricing, and target audience
- Prototype creation – Manufacturer prepares sample formulas
- Final adjustments – Refine blend and packaging design
- Contract and production – Confirm specs, place order, and receive delivery
Make sure to review details like price per kg, lead time, shelf life, and labeling requirements before signing.
How to Find OEM Green Tea Manufacturers
Here are some practical ways to find the right OEM partner:
- Contact tea wholesalers or powder manufacturers directly
- Use Japanese OEM directories and food industry platforms (e.g., OEM Pro, ShareShima)
- Attend food trade shows and exhibitions
- Research similar products and trace their manufacturers
Smaller regional tea producers—especially long-established family-run companies—may offer flexible MOQ and personalized service.
Things to Watch Out For
- Don’t just chase low prices – Ultra-cheap options may rely heavily on artificial flavoring
- Check if ongoing contracts are required – Some OEMs expect repeat orders
- Know your labeling obligations – You’ll need to comply with food labeling laws in your country
Defining your target customer and product purpose will help streamline the design and development process.
Conclusion
OEM green tea gives you the chance to create a signature product that fits your brand's identity. Whether you want a smooth, sweetened iced tea for summer or a premium matcha blend for desserts, OEM gives you full creative control.
By working with flexible manufacturers and starting with small batches, even small businesses can launch products that rival big brands. It’s an excellent strategy for differentiation and building customer loyalty.
