Kaohsiung topped the nation in sales of hand-shaken drinks and was also the special municipality with the most hand-shaken drink stores, Ministry of Finance data showed.
There were 15,966 hand-shaken drink stores operating in Taiwan from January to June and Kaohsiung had the most, with 2,993, meaning about one in five were operating in the city, the data showed.
Tainan was second with 2,599, Taichung (2,087) was third, Taoyuan (1,175) was fourth, New Taipei City (1,168) was fifth and Taipei (1,047) was sixth, the data showed.
Photo: Wu Liang-yi, Taipei Times
The number of hand-shaken drink stores nationwide dropped by 102 from the same period last year, the data showed.
Revenue generated by the hand-shaken drink industry in the first half of the year was NT$29.02 billion (US$947.9 million), up by NT$1.19 billion, or 4.29 percent, from the same period last year, they showed.
Kaohsiung’s share of the revenue was NT$4.33 billion, followed by Tainan (NT$3.97 billion), Taichung (NT$3.81 billion), Taipei (NT$3.1 billion), New Taipei City (NT$2.92 billion) and Taoyuan (NT$2.48 billion).
The trend of store numbers increasing in the south was attributed to warmer weather and lower rental costs.
Separately, nutritionist Peng Yi-shan (彭逸珊) wrote on Facebook that dissolution of plastic layers on paper cups due to high temperatures, including cups used at hand-shaken drink stores, can release chemicals detrimental to the human body.
The public should use reusable vacuum flasks, which decreases the likelihood of ingesting dissolved chemicals, reduces waste and allows people to benefit from discounts at stores that reward those who provide their own cup, Peng said.
Carrying a reusable bottle would also encourage people to drink more water, she said.
Glassware and ceramic reusable bottles are suitable for all drinks and are less likely to carry tastes and smells from one drink to the next, although they are heavier than a paper cup, and are prone to breaking, she said.
Bottles made of food grade 305 stainless steel have great insulation and will not shatter when dropped, but are more prone to residual taste and smells, she added.
People should keep their bottle clean and replace it if it cracks or develops mold, Peng said.
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