Bubble tea, a tea-based beverage invented in Taiwan, was first introduced in the 1980’s, and therefore, is not breaking news. However, it has come to my attention that the delightful drink I purchase once, sometimes twice a day, and spend at least half of my paychecks on, is unknown to a decent amount of the human population. I’m here today to put an end to this tragedy. Bubble tea is a glorious gift from the city of Taichung, and you need it in your life.

Let’s start with a description. According to the internet’s top source for reliable information, wikipedia, “bubble tea recipes contain a tea base mixed/shaken with fruit or milk, to which chewy tapioca balls or fruit jellies are often added. Ice-blended versions are usually mixed with fruit or syrup, resulting in a slushy consistency. There are many varieties of the drink with a wide range of ingredients. The two most popular varieties are bubble milk tea with tapioca and bubble milk green tea with tapioca.” Don’t worry, as a frequent bubble tea drinker, I can assure you that this statement is accurate. Personally, I’m all about the tapioca balls, none of that fruit jelly noise, so that is what we’re going to focus on here. If you have never seen bubble tea, first of all, get out of the rock you’re living under, and second of all, here it is:

And here are said “bubbles” (chewy balls of tapioca, which is a starch substance often used in pudding):

At this point you’re probably thinking, “OK, it’s tea with stuff in it. What’s so special?” Well, that “stuff” is exactly it. Don’t get me wrong, the teas themselves are delicious and could definitely stand on their own. From the creamy, milk flavors to the sweet, fruity varieties, there are endless options to choose from. Yet, the magic really happens once that scoop of dark, little pearls is added into the cup. You’re handed a straw with a diameter that is about the size of a dime, for easy, bubble drinking purposes, of course, and as you begin to sip on what would normally be an average refreshment, your mouth is constantly greeted by the little bursts of bubbles. You then chew on these as though they were flavorless gummy bears. So, again, what is so special, you ask? Well, I hate to sound like I’m a 5-year-old but, to put it simply, it’s fun! Drinking bubble tea is literally a fun activity. Could you purchase a regular drink and still satisfy your palate? Sure you could, but why deprive yourself of such a simple and joy-filled experience? The bubbles are what give this rightfully named concoction an edge above the competition, and if you have yet to try one, you're missing out.