The rise of bubble tea, one of Taiwan's most beloved beverages

My go-to orders are always an Oolong Milk Tea with Pearls or a Green Tea with Lychee Jelly on warmer days. Most of you reading this will understand that I am referring to bubble tea. This highlights the sheer growth this humble Taiwanese beverage has seen.

The rise of bubble tea is a history lesson in globalisation and migration, and the current renaissance of bubble tea in the West is fascinating. Bubble tea first emerged in the 1940s, but it wasn’t until the 1980s when it became a staple in Taiwan - emblematic of the rise of the leisure food trend as Taiwan was experiencing rapid economic growth. Its popularity surged across Asia and soon enough, the West.

More than its sheer economic power, however, bubble tea has also become political. The Milk Tea Alliance is an example of how a shared love for a drink has become a symbol of a pro-democratic movement made up of netizens from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand. The bubble tea has come a long way from being a niche “Asian” drink to arguably one of the most popular beverages, and politically potent symbols. This reflects the emergence of East Asia as a global power. Time will tell as to whether the trajectory of bubble tea will continue on an upwards trend, but I know for sure that I’m not going to stop drinking it anytime soon.

Isabella