Bradley and Son Tahoe’s Best Boba Tea

BY KAYLA ANDERSON

Itseems like in the past few years, boba tea (aka bubble tea) has taken the world by storm, especially in Asia where it originated. The trend has since migrated to the West Coast and now there are a few boba tea shops in Truckee and Tahoe. Boba is a cold, creamy tea drink containing chewy tapioca pearls. Here’s where to find the best bubble tea in Tahoe.

different milk teas, the most popular are Thai tea, Taro tea and the mango and strawberry versions. The teas and fresh tapioca balls are made daily and lychee jelly can be added to any boba tea for an extra fee.

TV Donuts sources high-quality products from Taiwan and makes its teas from scratch (not from a powder), so it can adjust the sweetness of any tea to match people’s preferences and diet.

“I’m diabetic and this is the only place I can go to get a boba tea with no sugar,” a customer with a lovely-looking purple taro tea said.

I tried the Thai tea with boba and lychee jelly, requested at a medium sweetness. It was cold, refreshing, and felt healthy; the juicy, lychee jelly and boba that I slurped up from the bottom seemed like a treat. | tv-donuts.business. site

Tahoe Bear Tea House

Tahoe Bear Tea House opened on the South Shore in October 2021 and it’s been busy ever since.

“There wasn’t any boba tea anywhere in South Shore, so we opened this to have something new and authentic for tourists and visitors,” says co-owner Lisa Atibtra, who is originally from Bangkok, Thailand.

Tahoe Bear offers dozens of different boba tea options including its Fire BEAR signature series. One can get cheese teas or teas made with aloe vera.

The options were all attractive, but I couldn’t pass up the Hokkaido Milk Tea because I’m a sucker for anything with Hokkaido cream. It was as decadent as I imagined, the thick brown-sugar tapioca pearls at the bottom tasted like bits of candy as I sucked them through the straw. | tahoebearteahouse.com

Cha Fine Teas of Truckee. | Kayla Anderson

Cha

Fine Teas of Truckee

What better drink to beat the heat with than a boba on a hot, summer day in Truckee? Over at Cha Fine Teas, at least six people came in within a half-hour to get an iced-boba drink, choosing from a large variety of flavors.

Cha opened eight years ago and sells around 80 varieties of loose-leaf teas. Then a few years ago, owners Cindy Shippy and her daughter Tina Peek noticed that more visitors coming into town were asking about boba. So, they developed 10 recipes and invited kids from the nearby schools for a taste testing.

Cha ended up with different-flavored versions with black tea, green tea and hibiscus tea bases; its most popular versions are Thai tea and matcha. I opted for the Pink Passion Lemonade, which has a little sugar and no dairy or caffeine. It immediately quenched my thirst and I downed half of it before I even reached my car. | chafineteasoftruckee.com n

Christy Hill welcomes new chef

Christy Hill in Tahoe City has welcomed in its new executive chef, Luis Vallin. A resident of North Lake Tahoe for more than 20 years, Vallin has previously worked as a sous chef at Pianeta Ristorante, Moody’s Bistro and most recently as the chef de cuisine at Martis Camp. Vallin brings his food-forward, farm-focused vision to Christy Hill. | christyhill.com

Brews, beats at Tahoe Brewfest

Beer lovers can enjoy an afternoon of craft beer tasting, live music, live DJs and fun on Aug. 26 at Tahoe Brewfest. A few of the local and regional breweries that will be participating include Cold Water Brewery & Grill, Sierra Nevada, FiftyFifty Brewing Co., South Lake Brewing Co., Tahoe National Brewing Co. and more.

Onsite parking is limited, so plan on carpooling, biking and using the free bike valet service, or taking the free Lake Link. Tickets are $55 and include tastings from 1 to 5 p.m. Free tickets for designated drivers and those younger than 21. | tahoebrewfest.com

Alpine County Library presents Wine in the Garden at the Markleeville Library on the afternoon on Aug. 26. Listen to live music and enjoy wine, beer and appetizers among the gardens of the library. Details TBA. | alpinecounty.com

P.E.O. Chapter AC is holding its annual Tastes of Incline on Aug. 24 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. with great food and wine at The Chateau in Incline Village, Nev. This event serves as a fundraiser to help local women with educational scholarships. Tickets are $75 in advance, available at The Potlatch or $80 at the door. | ivcba.org

Food Distribution

TUESDAYS TRUCKEE | 4–5pm Warehouse, 12116 Chandelle Way, Unit 2D

WEDNESDAYS K INGS BEACH | 3–4:30pm Community House, 265 Bear St

THURSDAYS INCLINE VILLAGE | 2:30–3:30pm St. Patrick’s Church, 341 Village Blvd

Anyone can pick up a bag and no application, ID, or proof of income is required. Home delivery is available on a case by case basis. To sign-up or cancel, e-mail food@sierracommunityhouse.org or call 530-546-0952 . Check website for updates: SierraCommunityHouse.org