Taiwan: Drinking bubble tea from the source Posted by Elise Kirsten on 28 February 2020 Tags:bubble tea, Chun Shui Tang, Taichung, Taiwan Bubble tea, also known as boba or pearl milk tea is a popular drink in many parts of the world and bubble tea shops have popped up from the USA to South Africa. The creamy tea with its tapioca balls at the bottom is said to have originated at a little teahouse called Chun Shui Tang in Taiwan in the 1980s. Chun Shui Tang teahouse in Thaichung, Taiwan where bubble tea was invented. Image credit: Elise Kirsten I visited the teahouse in Thaichung on a recent trip to the city to experience the 2020 Taiwan Lantern Festival and, having never tasted bubble tea before, I was delighted to have discovered a new favourite. The milky drink which has morphed into multiple versions (both hot and cold) was first created by Hsui-Hui Lin, one of Chun Shui Tang’s employees in 1987, when she accidentally put tapioca balls (often used in desserts) in milk tea. The combination worked and the dividing line between tea and dessert was broken. A narrow staircase leads down into the teahouse which has worn wooden door frames, chairs and tables which give the restaurant a welcoming atmosphere. Flowers, paintings and display items make it similar to teahouses in the Song Dynasty, according to its owners. I enjoyed a cup of original pearl milk tea. The soothing warmth with frothy milk and the addictive tapioca balls which I scooped up with a teaspoon really had me sold on boba. You can order this drink cold, too. Drinking my first cup of bubble tea (also known as pearl milk tea or boba) at Chun Shui Tang, the teahouse in Taiwan where it was first invented in 1987. #bubbletea pic.twitter.com/aYRL5ycS0F — Elise Kirsten (@EliseKirsten2) February 26, 2020 I have no doubt that had I been living in Thaichiung, this would have become one of my favourite spots to enjoy a cuppa. In addition to the food and drink on offer, the lighting is warm and welcoming and invites you to linger. Cost: NT80 (about R40) for a small cold pearl milk tea and NT 95 (about R47.50) for a hot one. Besides the original, other flavours include pearl milk tea with rose salt or chocolate pearl milk tea with Oreo and pearl jasmine milk tea, to name a few. Related Posts Say Cheese 14 October 2021 South Africans may not have invented the cheese wheel, but we sure rolled with it.... read more 3 easy and delicious vegan recipes to try at the Heritage Day braai 23 September 2021 With the growing popularity of plant-based food options, isn't it perhaps time to expand our... read more South Africa’s spicy culinary DNA 22 September 2021 Spice, in South Africa, is a subtle but loaded spoon connecting our different culinary heritages.... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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