{"id":970,"date":"2017-07-20T13:59:57","date_gmt":"2017-07-20T13:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.pinkoi.com\/en\/uncategorized\/kp2aixhv\/"},"modified":"2017-07-20T13:59:57","modified_gmt":"2017-07-20T13:59:57","slug":"kp2aixhv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.pinkoi.com\/en\/design\/kp2aixhv\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Bubble Tea? This is Why is Milk Tea is Our Drink of Choice!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/p>\n

There\u2019s never been a better time for bubble tea<\/a>. With decades of history and new waves of craft bubble tea all over the world, bubble tea has tons of flavors to choose from. Two milk tea<\/a> lovers here at Pinkoi can assure you it\u2019s one of the best things that\u2019s happened in their lives!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Now based in Taipei and San Francisco, Kat and Melissa witnessed the birth of original bubble tea in Taiwan. Today they\u2019ll not just share their favorite places to get a cup, but also why bubble tea has that power to become part of who they are.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is \u201cbubble tea\u201d, really?<\/h2>\n

Back in the \u201890s when bubble tea<\/a> first appeared in Taiwan, who cared what the ingredients were? There were foamy iced tea<\/a> and rich milk tea shaken and stirred right in front of us with many flavors to choose from at casual after-school hangouts, and that\u2019s what mattered.<\/p>\n

<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Citizen Stop was one of the dominating chains in the early days, and their signature is the green striped straw. I own this bubble tea top<\/a> and one time it got a Sephora staff so excited talking to me about bubble tea.\u2014Melissa\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Everyone has a favorite bubble tea drink. Passionfruit black tea with coconut jelly was a common favorite, as is green bean slush, and milk tea was one of the variety. The bubble tea phenomenon opened many students\u2019 doors to milk tea<\/a>, and became the indispensable drink we couldn\u2019t live without.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is an ideal cup of bubble tea?<\/h2>\n


Source: Melissa<\/span><\/p>\n

Kat: I\u2019ve been an avid milk tea drinker ever since I was a child! When I was a kid in elementary school, my favorite type of milk tea was (no surprise) bubble tea! I loved the sweetness and the chewy tapioca bubbles so much, I\u2019d always buy a cup for only NT$25 (less than a US dollar) after school.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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As I get older, I begin to like more traditional tea, such as Hong Kong milk tea<\/a> and English afternoon tea<\/a>, the kinds without tapioca bubbles. Thinking back, this change of preference is probably due to life not being as sweet and simple as the childhood years.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

<\/p>\n

\u25b2 Bubble tea milk tea and homemade milk tea are two different things!<\/span><\/p>\n

Melissa: With so many stores experimenting with bubble tea, I\u2019m eager to try different milk teas and there\u2019s not really a \u201cbest\u201d one. For example, I haven\u2019t fully converted from creamer to fresh milk yet. The ideal home-made milk tea is strong black tea stirred with fresh milk, which is not too indulgent, healthier and very comforting.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In old-fashioned Taiwanese milk tea, the black tea<\/a> has a barley flavor or a coffee aroma from cassia seed, and the sugar might be brown sugar<\/a> or winter melon sugar. The unique taste is now particularly hard to come by.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

What are your favorite places to have milk tea?<\/h2>\n

\u261e While in Taipei: Louisa Coffee<\/a><\/h3>\n

In Taiwan, the origin of bubble tea, take-out stands are the real thing! Some chains have also evolved into sit-down cafes.<\/p>\n


Source: Kat<\/span><\/p>\n

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I love Louisa Coffee\u2019s Taylors Tea Latte<\/a>, made with Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire tea!\u2014Kat<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n


Source: Kat<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u261e While in San Francisco: Boba Guys<\/a><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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Boba Guys is a hip, San Franciscan take on craft bubble tea, started by Taiwanese Americans, and many Taiwanese friends connect with the taste of their black milk tea with brown sugar sweetener. I\u2019d love to know what Kat thinks of the taste.\u2014Melissa<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n


Source: Melissa<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u261e While in Taipei: Kafka by the Sea<\/a><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n


Source: Kat<\/span><\/p>\n

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The place dearest to my heart is definitely Kafka by the Sea in the Zhongzhen District of Taipei. It has always been my favorite cafe in Taipei<\/a>, as it is often quiet, serving tasty food and drinks, and is always blasting away fantastic music.\u2014Kat<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

<\/p>\n


Source: Kat<\/span><\/p>\n

Kat: I have had fond memories of sitting there alone drinking hot and foamy earl grey<\/a> milk tea, catching up with old friends over a few beers, and also smoking and talking for hours about life, dreams, movies and whatnot with my then boyfriend.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u261e<\/strong>\u00a0While in Taiwan: Chun Shui Tang<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n


Source: Chun Shui Tang<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Melissa: In San Francisco, we naturally embrace local businesses, but my special memory of bubble tea was in Chun Shui Tang, a big tea restaurant chain that claims to have invented bubble tea. It is a nice sit-down tea place I went with my mother.<\/p>\n

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Instead of quick-and-dirty plastic cups, tea is served in tall curved glasses<\/a>, and the cream top is cold, rich and silky smooth. The food and tea menu and the dark wooden settings are steeped in tea culture<\/a> and literary influences. I think it is perfect for my mom, who used to be a Chinese teacher. She would never have gotten milk tea from junk food stands!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u261e<\/strong>\u00a0While in Bay Area: Cha Express<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

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Cha Express in San Mateo (close to San Francisco) has tea from the Yunnan province as well as the original cheesecake foam and puff cream, concepts that originated from China. These thick, creamy toppings even fattier than crema, and are so satisfying!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n


Source: Melissa<\/span><\/p>\n

To balance off the indulgence, they also have \u201chealthy grain\u201d milk teas with black rice, oats, etc., which tastes lighter, aromatic and yummy.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

How addicted are you to your drink?<\/h2>\n

Kat: If you ask me how much I drink, the answer is everyday! I drink 1-3 cups of hot milk tea<\/a> daily, and my milk tea has to be hot, hot, hot!\u00a0<\/p>\n

Melissa: Once when my friends visited my city, the directions I gave them were all based on bubble tea places. They commented (maybe complained), \u201cIs your city map actually just a bubble tea map?\u201d But I was proud to be a walking bubble tea map. When I visit friends in other cities, sometimes I also know better about what\u2019s popular and what to try!<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nowadays, the popularity of bubble tea bring on many creative accessories. Young drinkers encourage each other to carry reusable carry bags<\/a> and reusable straws<\/a>. Some of us enjoy wearing the bubble tea love identity on our sleeves, such as pins and clothing. For Kat who looks for a good cup of traditional milk tea<\/a>, all she wants is a good old mug and a Morphy Richards water filter kettle!<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25b2 Depending on how often you buy drinks, you can be saving lots of plastic bags and straws!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our relationships with bubble tea<\/a> are as rich and complex as the flavors of the drinks. What about you?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get another cup<\/h3>\n

\u25ba \u25ba \u25ba Fresh & Colorful Craft Bubble Tea with a hint of Mixology
<\/a>\u25ba \u25ba \u25ba It\u2019s Happy Hour! Light Up Your Home with Electric Confetti Neon Lights
<\/a>\u25ba \u25ba \u25ba How to Make Herbal Milk Tea<\/a><\/p>\n

Text: Melissa<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n

: Urb pearl milk tea [cat] female \/ oblong attached rope wear section.<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

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KuBar creative corner pearl milk tea<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Magnet Opener-[Taiwan Food Series]-Pearl Milk Tea<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

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Simple canvas eco-friendly beverage bag\/can be lettering\/customized pattern<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\u3010A cup of drink in the afternoon\u3011 British milk tea-kiss the mug (non-toxic microwave SGS qualified cover is added)<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Tea control \u2502 no fragrance experience 24 into \/ bag specials 799 (original price 1197)<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Bubble tea canvas drink bag<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

304 Stainless Steel Straw & Wool Straw Brush<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Miyoshi-tea Sanfang Ya Ming Hokkaido Need for pure tea classic \/ Cui Xue \/ comfortable<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Badkitty Bubble-Tea Glass Tumbler 11.6oz<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Bubble Milk Tea–Sterling Silver–Silver Pendant necklace with Wax Rope<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Bubble tea Cotton Shopping bag<\/h3>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s never been a better time for bubble tea. With decades of history and new waves of craft bubble tea all over the world, bubble tea has tons of flavors to choose from. Two milk tea lovers here at Pinkoi can assure you it\u2019s one of the best things that\u2019s happened in their lives!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":969,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"description":"There\u2019s never been a better time for bubble tea. With decades of history and new waves of craft bubble tea all over the world, bubble tea has tons of flavors to choose from. Two milk tea lovers here at Pinkoi can assure you it\u2019s one of the best things that\u2019s happened in their lives!","tids":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[3242,3284,3365,3381,3462,3540,3578],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is Bubble Tea? This is Why is Milk Tea is Our Drink of Choice! - Zine | Pinkoi | The place for design gift ideas<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.pinkoi.com\/en\/amp\/design\/kp2aixhv\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is Bubble Tea? This is Why is Milk Tea is Our Drink of Choice! - Zine | Pinkoi | The place for design gift ideas\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There\u2019s never been a better time for bubble tea. With decades of history and new waves of craft bubble tea all over the world, bubble tea has tons of flavors to choose from. 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