Bubble Tea brewing up a trend

The drink, an iced tea with globules of tapioca that originated in Taiwan, has become more and more popular in Asia and the US over the last few years, though Europe has so far been a little behind.

In the UK, bubble tea’s biggest current exponent is Bubbleology, which runs a science lab-style bar on Rupert Street in Soho and a concession in Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, with another branch due to open in Notting Hill in July. It has been set up by Assad Khan, who discovered the drink in New York and has since travelled to Taiwan. He has ambitions to grow the concept across the country.

But the trend may gain more pace across Europe if it takes off for McDonald’s in Germany, where it will be added to its McCafe sites. Its take on the drink can be customized in hundreds of different way, with varieties of teas and syrups, and it is promoting the launch in Germany with a lively and somewhat caricatured TV ad; click here to watch it.

Other UK bubble tea specialists include Chaboba in Camden Lock and a few Chinese or Hong Kong venues that have added it to their drinks menus. Much of the trade in the UK comes from ex-pats or visitors from Taiwan or other Asian countries.