Taiwan's bubble (or pearl) milk tea and beverage stores are expanding in the global market, especially in countries like Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, China, South Korea and the U.S.
However, if you want to try the most authentic and traditional beverages, a trip to Taiwan is still recommended.
In years gone by, Taiwan's beverages consisted of just a few options like herbal tea, pickled plum juice, soy milk, winter melon tea, and fruit juices, as well as imported or domestic sodas and alcoholic beverages. So, how did these hand-mixed beverage shops with such an array of options come to exist?
The culture developed from the bubble tea shops that originated in Taichung during the 1980s. Bubble tea is made by mixing tea, syrup, and ice in a shaker. The mixture becomes foamy, and the resulting taste and texture became widely popular. Taiwan's beverage sector has seen on average NT$50 billion (US$1.5 billion) in revenue annually for the past 10 years.
With a wide selection to choose from, "Good Eye Taipei," a new bilingual Taipei city guide, recommends six beverage shops to check out in Taipei.
Chun Shui Tang (春水堂)
The tapioca is chewy and the tea is flavorful. They also serve delicious Kung Fu noodles.
Cha FOR TEA (喫茶趣)
Ten Ren's Tea fresh beverage shop.
Cao Sheng Yuan (草盛園)
The shop has been passing down the wisdom of Taiwanese herbal tea for over eighty years.
Jiang Ji Dong Men Dou Hua (東門江記豆花)
Delicious douhua (soy bean curd) and soy milk located in Dongmen Market.
Tai Yi Milk King (臺一牛奶大王)
Try their famous papaya milk, shaved ice, and sweet rice ball soup.
Gu Zao Cha Fang (古早茶坊)
Try their traditional winter melon tea and pickled plum juice.
Editor: Olivia Yang
