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Hengliyuan application and selection
Private Label Sweetener Packets for Hotels and Cafés: Standard or Custom Formula Guide
Hotel and café sweetener stick packs: private-label vs standard formula, net content, packaging and quotation guide for buyers.
A hotel or café buyer should first choose the cooperation route: distribute Hengliyuan branded products, buy a bulk ingredient for its own production, or develop private-label stick packs. That choice determines which product, packaging, label and application information needs to be discussed next; it should not be collapsed into one generic OEM request.
Hengliyuan currently has two existing formulation routes. The natural series consists of erythritol, monk fruit sweetener and steviol glycosides; the artificial sweetener series consists of erythritol and sucralose. Customers can also put forward their target sweetness, ingredient requirements and desired taste, and Hengliyuan will assist in developing customized formulas.
After the formula direction is determined, discuss the net content of each package, stick-pack packaging materials, printing content, outer packaging, minimum purchase quantity and quotation. After customers get the sample, they should try it in their own coffee, tea or other actual drinks, and then give feedback on the sweetness, taste and usage.
Choose an existing recipe or a custom formula first
| Plan | Ingredients direction | What kind of project is suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Existing natural series | Erythritol, monk fruit sweetener, steviol glycosides | Accept these three ingredient categories and want to start sampling from existing naturally sourced sweetener options |
| Existing artificial sweetener series | Erythritol, sucralose | Accept sucralose and want to start sampling from existing artificial sweetener options |
| custom formulas | Select raw materials and proportions according to customer requirements | existing formulas cannot meet ingredient restrictions, target sweetness, taste, dosage per package, or cost requirements |
Using an existing recipe, discussion of samples can begin directly from existing ingredient combinations and sweetness directions. Customers still have to confirm sweetness, aftertaste and serving size in their actual drink. Custom formulas require the buyer to specify the type of drink, ingredients accepted or excluded, target sweetness, mouthfeel and usage. Hengliyuanly proposed the sample direction based on this, and the buyer will decide whether adjustments are needed after trying it out.
How to choose between two existing series
The natural series and the artificial sweetener series must first be distinguished according to the buyer's ingredient requirements and brand positioning, and then the taste, dosage per package and actual cost of use are compared.
| Compare items | Natural series | Artificial sweetener series |
|---|---|---|
| Existing ingredients | Erythritol, monk fruit sweetener, steviol glycosides | Erythritol, sucralose |
| Starting point for selection | Customers embrace naturally sourced sweetener route | Customer accepts sucralose route |
| Sample focus | The sweetness in the mouth, the after-sweetness of monk fruit, the sustained sweetness of stevia glycosides and the overall harmony | Initial sweetness, sweetness duration, aftertaste and original flavor of the drink |
| Packaging confirmation | Determine the net content of each pack based on final sweetness and amount per use | Determine the net content of each pack based on final sweetness and amount per use |
| Regulations and Labeling | Check specific ingredient names and related representations by target market | Check food categories, conditions of use and labeling requirements for sucralose by target market |
"Natural series" is the product classification adopted by Hengliyuan based on the ingredient route. Whether the final packaging can use expressions such as "natural" needs to be reviewed based on the sales market, complete formula and current local regulations. Artificial sweetener series must also be used within the food categories and usage conditions permitted by the target market. The existence of existing formulas does not mean that all countries, drinks and labels can be directly adopted.
Which situations are more suitable for customized formulas?
Customers can discuss custom formulas when they encounter the following situations: - Want to exclude steviol glycosides, sucralose or other specific ingredients - Want to use a sweetener combination outside the existing range - Have clear requirements for sweetness, after-sweetness or bitterness in the mouth - I hope that one pack corresponds to a drink of a specific size - Need to completely or partially replace white sugar - Want to adjust unit usage costs - The existing samples taste inappropriate when put into actual drinks - Target markets have special requirements for ingredients or labels Custom formula customers can provide their own complete formula, or just provide the purpose, specific requirements and desired effects. Hengliyuan combines this information to propose samples, and customers try them on real products and provide feedback. After the plan is confirmed, the blending customer will obtain the complete ingredient names, proportions of each ingredient, target sweetness and finished product specifications. Packaging, instructions for use and quotations should all correspond to the final confirmed version of the formulation.
Hotels or cafes must first clarify how to use
| Usage scenarios | What needs to be confirmed first |
|---|---|
| Hotel breakfast, room or conference service | Which drinks are included and whether consumers use one pack? |
| Cafe tabletop access | Mainly paired with hot coffee, iced coffee, tea or other drinks |
| The clerk adds by portion | How many packets should be added to each cup and how to keep store operations consistent? |
| Customer self-service | Is the stick pack easy to tear and whether the powder is easy to pour out? |
| Retail or souvenirs | Outer packaging, brand display, instructions for use and target market labels |
If a bar bag needs to be used for black coffee, milk coffee and tea at the same time, you should try it separately. The three drinks have different bases of bitterness, aroma, temperature and taste, and the same package of sweeteners may produce different sensory results.
The net content of each package should be determined together with the sweetness of the formula
The weight of each bag indicates how much material is packed into the bag. How much sweetness each pack provides also depends on the formula chosen and the target sweetness level. When customers want to add a drink to one pack, they can first determine the cup type, drink and sugar comparison, and then select the formula and net content. When using an existing recipe, sample results can be used to confirm whether a pack meets the target; when developing a custom recipe, the sweetness of the formula and the weight of each pack can be adjusted at the same time. Before the theoretical weight of the strips enters production, the following must be checked: - Whether the compound powder is mixed evenly - Whether the materials can be discharged smoothly in the equipment - Is the weight of each package stable during continuous filling? - Is the bag easy to tear open and empty? - Is there any caking or material change after storage? Theoretical equal sweetness conversion can only be used to determine the starting point of the sample. The official usage amount needs to be confirmed by actual drink trial.
Hot and cold drinks should be evaluated separately
| Drink type | It is recommended to focus on observation |
|---|---|
| black coffee | Whether the sweetness is harmonious and whether it affects the aroma and bitterness of coffee |
| milk coffee | Are the sweetness, milk flavor, coffee flavor and drink thickness coordinated? |
| tea | Whether the sweetness covers the tea aroma and whether the aftertaste after drinking is suitable |
| Fruity or sour drinks | Is the relationship between sweetness and sourness harmonious with the fruity aroma? |
| Ice drink | Do the dissolution, sweetness and aftertaste at low temperatures meet the intended use? |
When comparing natural ranges, artificial sweetener ranges or custom formulas, keep the drink recipe, cup size, temperature and preparation method consistent. Water tasting can be used for preliminary screening, and the final selection still needs to be judged based on the actual menu drinks.
The stick pack and outer packaging need to be confirmed together
| packaging items | Fields that require confirmation |
|---|---|
| Primary stick-pack packaging | Net content of each package, film material, sealing, tearing and printing |
| Outer bag or box | How many packs per bag or box, size and brand information |
| Outer box | Packing quantity, shipping method and storage instructions |
| Label draft | Product name, complete ingredients, net content and usage instructions |
| production arrangement | Filling, sealing, packaging inspection and delivery batches |
The packaging draft should be consistent with the final formula. When a customer changes from a natural series to an artificial sweetener series, or changes from an existing formula to a customized formula, the ingredient list, product name, instructions for use and related label content must be reviewed again. Minimum purchase quantities of packaging materials may differ from finished product production quantities. Customers should also confirm whether packaging materials can be used in batches, how to store unused packaging materials, and whether subsequent orders will continue to use the same version.
Private brands and Hengliyuan brands are handled separately
Private label stick packs use the buyer's own trademark, product name and packaging design. Customers can choose Hengliyuan existing formulas or develop customized formulas. Operating Hengliyuan brand products is brand distribution, which requires additional communication on sales markets, channels and product specifications. When making an inquiry, you should indicate which method of cooperation you intend to adopt: -Customer brand plus Hengliyuan existing formula - Customer brand plus customized formula - Customers provide their own formulas - Distribute existing Hengliyuan brand products
Which route should a hotel or café choose first?
Choose Hengliyuan brand distribution when the buyer wants to discuss an existing branded product and its channel or sales-market conditions. Choose bulk ingredient supply when the buyer's own operation will formulate, fill or package the finished product. Choose private label when the buyer needs its own trademark, product name and packaging design; the formula may be an existing Hengliyuan direction or a separately discussed custom route. The first inquiry can state the intended route and drink scene without pretending that price, exclusivity, MOQ or market coverage has already been confirmed.
Target markets and labels should be checked in advance
Before official printing, the following should be checked according to the target country or region: - All ingredients in the final recipe - Name and arrangement of ingredients - Net content and recommended usage of each package - Nutritional information and related claims - Food category and conditions of use - Required certificates, test reports and other documents Natural series and artificial sweetener series must be reviewed according to the target market. China, the United States, the European Union and other markets may have different regulations on sweeteners and labeling, and conclusions from one market cannot be directly applied to another market.
How to confirm the sample
1. The buyer provides beverage types, service scenarios and target markets. 2. Customers choose natural series, artificial sweetener series or customized formula. 3. Both parties confirm the ingredient requirements, target sweetness and usage of each package. 4. Hengliyuan provides corresponding sample directions. 5. Customers put the sample into their own hot and cold drinks to try. 6. Customer feedback on initial sweetness, aftertaste, dissolution and overall taste. 7. Both parties confirm the final formula, net content of each package and packaging version. 8. Hengliyuan will calculate the price, minimum purchase quantity and delivery date based on the confirmed version. When customers give feedback, they can write that the taste is too light, the aftertaste is too long, the stevia flavor is obvious, the coffee aroma is covered, or it dissolves slowly in cold drinks. Concrete feedback is easier to translate into the next round of recipe adjustments.
Quotes need to correspond to the same set of configurations
When comparing quotes, you should confirm that the following are consistent: - Existing or custom formulas - Natural series or artificial sweetener series - Complete ingredients and target sweetness - Net content per package - Primary packaging materials and printing - Number of stick packs per pouch or box - Outer packaging and cartons - Minimum purchase quantity - Required documents - Delivery time and shipping conditions formulas vary, and even if each package weighs the same, the sweetness, taste, and cost may vary. The price per kilogram also does not directly represent the actual cost of use per drink or pack of product.
What information should you prepare when requesting samples from Hengliyuan?
It is recommended to provide: - Target markets and sales channels - Hotel, cafe or catering service scene - Mainly paired drinks - Hot drinks, cold drinks or both - Choose from natural ranges, artificial sweetener ranges or custom formulas - Accept or exclude sweeteners - Desired sweetness and texture - Usage assumptions for each package and outer packaging - Estimated purchase quantity - Required certificates, test reports and other documents - Do you need samples? Learn about Hengliyuan customized blended sweeteners View Hengliyuan OEM customization guide
Review note
Reviewed October 2, 2026.
Common questions
Can I still make my own brand using Hengliyuan existing formula?
Yes. Customers can choose from the existing natural series or artificial sweetener series, and then produce their own brand products according to the confirmed formula, specifications and packaging.
What ingredients does the natural range include?
Hengliyuan's current natural series consists of erythritol, monk fruit sweetener and steviol glycosides. The specific ingredient names, proportions, sweetness and specifications are confirmed according to the selected product.
What ingredients does the artificial sweetener range include?
Hengliyuan's existing artificial sweetener series consists of erythritol and sucralose. The specific target sweetness, weight of each package and usage method need to be confirmed with the actual drink.
What should I do if the existing formula does not meet the requirements?
Customers can put forward requirements for ingredients that need to be retained or excluded, target sweetness, taste and cost of use, and Hengliyuan will assist in developing customized formulas.
For the same 5 g stick pack, does the sweetness have to be the same?
uncertain. 5 grams only represents the net content, and the sweetness depends on the specific recipe, sweetness specifications and actual usage.
Can private label packaging directly use labels from other markets?
Needs to be re-reviewed according to target market and final formula. Product name, ingredients, net content, usage methods and related claims should be consistent with the final product.
Should a hotel private-label project start with packaging or formula?
Start by choosing the cooperation route and defining the drinks or service scene. Then compare the formula or ingredient direction in the actual drinks, and confirm the pack size, material, printing and label text against that final version. Brand distribution, bulk supply and private-label packaging require different follow-up information.
