Hong Kong-based fresh-brewed tea brand Flamingo Bloom has opened four stores in its first year of trading.

The health-conscious beverage retailer first set up just last year in Hong Kong’s Central, but has already opened a larger space in Tsim Sha Tsui, a flagship in Malaysia, and a store at the IFC mall this month, which attracted long queues on launch day.

Founder Louisa Wong has indicated plans to open further locations in Malaysia, as well as expand to Australia and Singapore, with the intention to open in Melbourne by the end of this year.

“Even though we’re in a quality mall, the operating costs in Malaysia are so much lower – about a third of what we pay in Hong Kong – so it’s easier to reach sales targets,” she said. “In Malaysia’s tropical climate, cold teas mixed with fresh fruits have proved popular.”

The store retails highly Instagrammable Chinese tea-based beverages mixed with fresh fruit and boba pearls – or blended as a latte.

• Wong was talking to Hong Kong Means Business magazine, published online by the HKTDC.