A brief history of bubble tea and where to enjoy it in Alberta

BY MALLORY FRAYN

Whether you know it as “boba” or “bubble tea”, this beverage has taken the world by storm over the past 40 years. It’s so popular that some estimates suggest that the industry will continue to grow to over $4 billion globally by 2027.

Originating in Taiwan in the 1980s, its origin is disputed, with two rival creators claiming supremacy over the idea. The two competitors, Hanlin Tea Room and Chun Shui Tang, were embroiled in a lawsuit for close to a decade during the early 2000s. However, the judge eventually ruled that neither side could come out on top, given that bubble tea is not a patented product, and anyone can make it. In hindsight, maybe that ruling was for the best given the ever-growing diversity in the bubble tea market.

So, what exactly is bubble tea? In some ways, it’s a difficult question to answer given the extent to which variations on the beverage have proliferated over the past several years. Originally it was a relatively straightforward endeavour, namely chilled, milky tea, with black tapioca pearls settled at the bottom, making for a refreshing drink that’s complemented by unexpected texture; ultimately a treat that is both drink and dessert.

Show up at any given bubble tea shop these days though, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by decision fatigue given the staggering number of bases, add-ins, and flavour combinations available. To help simplify the boba-ordering process, let’s break down the basics.

The Liquid

While milk tea is the classic option, it is by no means the only choice on the table. Most shops offer a variety of other tea bases, either with or without dairy, such as green, oolong, and jasmine teas. Alternately, you can forgo the tea altogether, opting for fruit juice or smoothie bases, although whether or not the name bubble “tea” is perhaps accurate at that point is up for debate amongst boba purists. Coffee also graces many menus if you’re looking for a more aggressive pick-me-up, and in licensed establishments, you may even be able to find bubble tea-inspired cocktails to sip on.

The Pearls and Jellies

Any of the above bases make for delicious sippers in and of themselves, but the textural component of tapioca pearls is what “bubble” tea is all about. Most are simply made with tapioca starch, brown sugar, and water; the mixture is rolled into approximately dime-sized balls and boiled until they set into bite-sized “boba”.

Nowadays though, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You can also find popping boba, which are a set fruit sphere with a juicy interior; or crystal boba, which are made with konjac, a tropical flower native to Southeast Asia, and softer than traditional tapioca boba. From there, you get into the wide world of jelly that can be added in as well. Coconut jelly, coffee jelly, and any number of fruit jellies, from lychee to mango, are usually available, and cut into small shapes (classically square or rectangular, but you can now find them moulded into stars and hearts), such that they can fit through a wide straw, same as the boba can.

Other Add-ins

What, there’s more? If tea, juice, smoothies, boba, and jelly were not enough, additional accoutrements abound. On the more refreshing side, you’ve got aloe vera, which is as cooling to drink as it is for your sun burned skin. From there, it tends to get exponentially more decadent, with the option of layering pudding or custard into the works, or floating a foamed, cream cheese-like condiment on top of the drink for added tang and richness. Candied red beans are a nuttier addition with the benefit of added fibre no less. And of course, no beverage-come-dessert would be complete without a scoop of ice cream in the mix, should that option tickle your fancy.

Where to try bubble tea National Bubble Tea Day is April 30 (yes, it exists!) so here are some ideas of where to try your next bubble tea. These suggestions are straight from the heart of an unnamed, self-proclaimed boba aficionado, that have been tried and tested too many times to count. If avocado toast was once proclaimed the greatest detriment to the Millennial budget, bubble tea might just be the kryptonite of the Gen Z pocketbook.

Bubble Tea Brewers – Calgary and area

In addition to their Calgary location, Bubble Tea Brewers have franchises in Airdrie, Cochrane, and Strathmore so that those outside the city centre can easily access their quaffable offerings. They have a fun “cheesecake series” of beverages that feature flavours like purple taro cheesecake and avocado cheesecake, and are effectively dessert in a cup.

Dream Tea House – Edmonton

Dream Tea has been a bubble tea staple in Edmonton since 2003, now with six locations across the city. Their menu covers a wide range of options from juice and smoothie-based beverages, to flavour combos like peach and lychee, or Oreo and matcha.

Kung Fu Tea – Calgary and Edmonton

With multiple locations in Calgary and one in Edmonton as well, there are no shortage of options to choose from, so you can’t go wrong. That being said, their Yakult (think drinkable yogurt) green tea with aloe is a crowd favourite.

Mr. Sun Tea – Calgary

Mr. Sun is an offshoot of Taiwan’s Red Sun Teashop and has locations across Canada and the United States. They are most well-known for their non-alcoholic Heineken green tea, which is a delicious mix of two of the world’s most popular brewed beverages, beer and tea.

Try Again Beverage House - Calgary

What sets Try Again apart is that they handcraft their flavoured pearls in-house at their storefront in Chinatown. Craft your own concoction, choosing from an extensive selection of fruit and milk teas.

YOU CAN ALSO TRY:

In Calgary

Don’t Yell at Me, 63 Crowfoot Terrace NW

Hi Tea, 312 Centre Street S

PurrTea, 816A 16 Avenue SW

Royal Tea House, 328 Centre Street S Truedan, Southcentre Mall

AND IN EDMONTON:

Boba Club, 6538 170 Avenue NW

Coco Fresh Tea & Juice, eleven locations, cocoedmonton.com Heeretea, 11116 82 Avenue NW

Ocha + Boba, 9940 137 Avenue

Presotea, three locations, presotea-ab.ca

The Big Squish Lemonade and Bubble Tea, 8330 82 Avenue NW

And With Multiple

LOCATIONS:

Gong Cha, 303 Centre Street SW, Calgary and 10342 81 Ave NW, Edmonton

The Alley, four locations in Calgary and three in Edmonton, the-alley.ca

Thé Moon Tea House, Calgary

Downtown, Legacy, Mahogany, Chestermere, Airdrie tmoon.ca

Tiger Sugar, 210 Riverfront Ave SW, Calgary and 10075 109 Street NW, Edmonton

Mallory is a clinical psychologist and food writer who hails from Calgary but now lives in Montreal. Her goal is to help people develop healthier relationships with food. Follow her on Twitter @drfrayn.