Taiwan grows tea, produces tea, and has a love for tea. Traditional tea brewed with hot water and modern tea beverages, enjoyed by people of all ages, have become distinctive features of Taiwan's culture.
According to government statistics, as of April 2022, there are a total of 22,000 tea shops in Taiwan. We drink tea when thirsty, after meals, and it has become a habit for office workers to have a cup as an afternoon tea.
The popularity of bubble tea, or hand-shaken beverages, can be attributed to the vibrant development of Taiwanese tea leaves. Additionally, these small beverage shops offer an endless variety of choices. Apart from simple tea, you can find drinks mixed with fruit juice, fresh fruit, milk, yogurt drinks, and various toppings. Regardless of your preference in beverage flavor, you can find it in tea shops.
Furthermore, there are numerous brands of hand-shaken beverages, each developing its own signature drinks, providing consumers with a wide range of choices. Here, we introduce three of the most well-known tea shops in Taiwan and recommended items. Next time you visit Taiwan, remember to grab a cup of hand-shaken beverage upon arrival. It not only quenches your thirst but is also the best way to experience Taiwan's tea culture!
1.50lan（50嵐）
In Taiwan's scenic areas, there are often numerous tea shops, and among them, the one with the longest queues is usually 50lan. Established in 1994, 50lan has over 600 branches in Taiwan. Due to its large number of locations and convenience, it has become the top choice for tea enthusiasts and the most convenient option for tourists.
⭐Recommended items:
Bubble Milk Tea（伯爵冰茶）: When in Taiwan, you must try Bubble Milk Tea, and it's a fundamental item in every beverage shop. If you're overwhelmed by choices and don't know which one to choose, 50lan's Bubble Milk Tea has a classic flavor. After trying this, you can explore variations in taste at other shops.
No.8 Green Tea（8冰綠）: No.8 Green Tea combines kumquat, plum sauce, and green tea. The citrusy sweetness of kumquat and plum, along with the refreshing tea flavor, makes it especially suitable for consumption in the summer. It stimulates the appetite and reduces the sensation of heat.
Four Season Tea（四季春茶）: If you prefer simple tea, you can try a cup of Four Season Tea to savor the pure tea fragrance. For an even better experience, order the "No.1 Four Season Tea" with large tapioca balls, small tapioca balls, and coconut jelly. The rich texture will surely amaze you.
2.Kang Qing Long / KQ TEA （康青龍）
Arriving at the renowned Yongkang Street in Taipei, aside from the presence of Din Tai Fung, the "Kang Qing Long（康青龍）" district formed by Yongkang Street, Qingtian Street, and Longquan Street exudes a rich cultural atmosphere, creating a distinctive local culture.
Among the establishments in this area is the tea shop, KQ TEA, which originated here. Established in 2016, KQ TEA specializes in a variety of fruit-flavored iced teas. The vibrant colors and diverse flavors attract the attention of consumers. Fruits such as lychee, apple, guava, grape, peach, and more are combined with tea, creating a not-to-be-missed experience for those who enjoy fresh flavors.
⭐Recommended items:
Earl Black Iced Tea（伯爵冰茶）: Based on Earl Grey tea, this drink includes fresh orange, apple, and lemon slices. The sweet and sour fruit aroma complements the rich tea fragrance, making it the most popular item.
Jinxuan Oolong Tea（沁心金萱）: While many bubble tea shops offer Jinxuan Oolong tea, KQ TEA's version stands out with its unique milky aroma, smooth texture, and a subtle osmanthus flower fragrance.
Jasmine Green Milk Tea With Mini Taro Ball（茉香奶綠芋圓）: For consumers who prefer a rich texture, the "Milk Tea with Tapioca Pearl" ( 黑白珍珠奶茶 ) is an option with both black and white tapioca balls, creating a visually lovely drink. However, if you want to explore options beyond tapioca balls, the Jasmine Green Milk Tea With Mini Taro Ball, based on green tea and infused with milk and mini taro balls, offers a unique combination with the delightful aroma of taro, exclusive to Taiwan.
3.COMEBUY TEA
Established in 2002, COMEBUY, though a relatively young brand, has secured its place in the bubble tea industry with its distinctive tea beverages. Setting itself apart from typical tea shops that pre-brew tea and then mix flavors, COMEBUY specializes in freshly brewed tea. After customers place an order, the tea is extracted using a machine. Their tea flavors are exclusive, making it challenging to find the same taste in other establishments and giving them a competitive edge in thehand-shaken beverage market!
⭐Recommended items:
Neptune Tea ( 海神 ): Based on refreshing Japanese roasted tea, this drink carries a subtle fragrance of fruits and honey, creating an indescribable and mysteriously attractive flavor. It is also the only exclusive flavor in all of Taiwan.
Comebuy Original Bubble Milk Tea/ QQ Milk Tea ( 雙Q奶茶 ) : Rich milk tea paired with toppings; you can choose between tapioca balls + noodle jelly or tapioca balls + taro balls. Either option satisfies both textures in one delightful drink!
Passion Fruit Blast ( 百香搖果樂 ) : Jasmine Green Tea combined with fresh passion fruit , along with tapioca balls, coconut jelly, and lychee jelly. It offers a delightful blend of tea fragrance, fruity sweetness, and chewy toppings, creating a summer party in your mouth!
In addition to these three tea shops, there are also various brands such as CoCo ( 都可 ), which specializes in fresh fruit tea, Ten Ren Tea ( 天仁茗茶 ), a tea leaf specialty store, and Milksha ( 迷客夏 ) , known for its fresh milk items. Each shop has its own distinctive flagship products, waiting for you to come to Taiwan and taste them in person!
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