Bubble Tea - Boba

[GeneChing]

Coming next week: Tai Chi Bubble Tea along with ramen, poke and sushi burritos
By Eddy / December 28, 2023 / News
Tai Chi Bubble Tea



Northwest Wichita is about to get an option for bubble tea, poke, sushi burritos and ramen when Tai Chi Bubble Tea opens in NewMarket Square at 2413 N. Maize Road. This will be in the same strip center as Buffalo Wild Wings.

Barring any last second setbacks, the opening date has been set for Wednesday, January 3.

When they open, the menu, which is shown on the front of the building without prices, will feature bubble tea, poke bowls, sushi burritos and ramen. It should be an exciting new eatery for the west side of town, which doesn’t have a lot to choose from when it comes to many of those dishes.

Tai Chi first opened in 2015 and has since grown to nearly 40 stores, mostly found in the northeast part of the country. The closest location can be found in Oklahoma City.

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[GeneChing]

Doctors remove 300 kidney stones from woman who drank bubble tea instead of water
via Rosalind Chang on Unsplash
Xiao Yu admitted to avoiding water and instead consuming sweetened drinks like bubble tea for years
Michelle De Pacina
DECEMBER 28, 2023

DOCTORS IN TAIWAN had to remove over 300 kidney stones from a 20-year-old woman who suffered chronic dehydration from drinking sweetened drinks over water.
What happened: Earlier this month, Xiao Yu was admitted to Chi Mei Hospital in Tainan due to fever and severe lower back pain. An ultrasound revealed hundreds of kidney stones in her swollen right kidney, ranging from 5 mm to 2 cm in size.

What caused it?: Yu admitted to avoiding water and instead consuming drinks like bubble tea, fruit juice and alcohol for years, resulting in chronic dehydration and a build-up of minerals in her kidneys.

The treatment: Doctors conducted a surgery called percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which lasted for two hours. They reportedly extracted about 300 stones. The woman is now in stable condition and had already been discharged from the hospital.

Importance of water: Dr. Lim Chye-yang, the surgeon who carried out the procedure, emphasized the importance of proper water intake in preventing kidney stones.
“Proper water intake is crucial for diluting minerals in urine,” Lim told Metro. “If the body lacks enough water, the minerals in the urine can easily become concentrated, increasing the risk of stone formation.”

Kidney stones: According to Dr. Lim, approximately 9.6% of the Taiwanese population might experience kidney stones during their lifetime, with men being three times more likely than women to develop kidney stones. It typically occurs in individuals between the ages of 50 and 60.

Michelle De Pacina
is a New York-based Reporter for NextShark

Stay hydrated everyone!

[GeneChing]

Billions from bubble tea and other success stories from Asia’s beverage moguls
By Clifford Olanday
Feb 02, 2024


COVER Bryan Loo, founder and CEO, Loob Holding
NEW

The business leaders at the helm of Asia’s leading beverage companies satisfy the region’s demand for variety, flavour and inventiveness in drinks
Double caramel smoothies, brown sugar pearl lattés, cream sodas, energy drinks—the business leaders on Asia’s Most Influential are satisfying more than just a basic need; their success comes from answering the demand for variety, flavour and inventiveness in drinks. Behind some of the biggest homegrown beverage companies, they contribute to the projected $60-billion growth of the non-alcoholic beverage sector in Asia this year, which includes a flourishing $3.7-billion bubble-tea sector. These business leaders are also reaching beyond their success in Asia, with their refreshment brands now available in North America and Europe.


ABOVE Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, president, Thai Beverage Public Company Limited

Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi leads Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev), the largest drinks company in Thailand, with over 200 subsidiaries and many popular brands under its belt, including non-alcoholic beverages such as Oishi Green Tea, Est Cola and Crystal drinking water, as well as alcoholic drinks like Grand Royal whisky, Chang beer and Ruang Khao liquor.

To solidify its success throughout the region, ThaiBev has embarked on Passion 2025, a five-year roadmap focused on three goals: build new capabilities by enhancing its business model and product offerings; strengthen its leadership positions in the core markets of Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore and Malaysia; and unlock potential by building partnerships and developing a world-class workforce.

It has been announced that Sirivadhanabhakdi will take on a bigger role in the beverage company, becoming director and group CEO on June 27, 2024.


ABOVE Jian Zhi Guo, executive director, CoCo International

As the executive director of CoCo International, Jian Zhi Guo plans the business strategies of the beverage company behind the global bubble tea brand CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice. Established in Taiwan in 1997, CoCo now offers its drinks beyond Asia, opening stores in North America (in the US and Canada), South America (in Peru) and across Europe (in France, the UK, Sweden and more). Apart from its signature milk tea drinks (taro with sago, Japanese matcha with red beans), it also offers creations with popping pearls, drinks with Yakult, slushies and smoothies

Recognised for its “exceptional quality and spirit of innovation”, CoCo was among the global winners at the World Branding Awards, which was held at Kensington Palace in the UK in 2023. The brand is also committed to the environment, hosting upcycling workshops in Barcelona, installing solar panels in its warehouses and prioritising eco-friendly packaging in its production.


ABOVE Bryan Loo, founder and CEO, Loob Holding
“Thinking outside the box and being forward-thinking is also important. This means exploring new possibilities and opportunities to gain a competitive advantage. By anticipating future trends and adapting strategies accordingly, a good leader can create innovative solutions to meet the needs of their customers,” said Loob Holding CEO Bryan Loo to Tatler.

The businessman continues to drive the success of Tealive, one of the most prevalent bubble tea chains in the region. In 2021, Loo partnered with Creador, selling a 30-per cent stake to the private equity firm to fuel Tealive’s expansion. Now, Tealive operates over 1,000 outlets in Asia and beyond, with stores also in the UK, Canada, Australia and Mauritius. In 2023, the CEO further invested in the brand, opening a tapioca pearl production facility in Selangor that can produce 400 tonnes of pearls per month for Tealive’s production.

Loo completes his beverage empire with more ventures: Bask Bear coffee, sparkling water maker Sodaxpress and kombucha brand Wonderbrew.

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[GeneChing]

KUNG FU TEA CELEBRATES NATIONAL BUBBLE TEA DAY
Provided by PR Newswire
Apr 12, 2024 10:48am
PR Newswire

NEW YORK, April 12, 2024

Founders of National Bubble Tea Day - Kung Fu Tea gets ready to celebrate their 14th Birthday and the growing international holiday celebrated around the world.

NEW YORK, April 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Founded in Queens on April 30, 2010, Kung Fu Tea, America's favorite bubble tea, has continuously elevated the world of made-to-order bubble tea with their 'Fresh - Innovative - Fearless' approach. 14 Years later and with over 400 locations around the US, Kung Fu Tea is excited to honor the growing community of 'boba lovers' and celebrate the tasty beverage that everyone is falling in love with.


(PRNewsfoto/Kung Fu Tea) (PRNewsfoto/Kung Fu Tea)

As the Founders of National Bubble Tea Day, Kung Fu Tea has always been excited to see the holiday expand, with other domestic and international bubble tea companies coming together to embrace the holiday and share their passion for all things Boba on Kung Fu Tea's Birthday.

"We strive to make bubble tea accessible for everyone. Whether you are looking for the iconic milk tea, a refreshing slush, or a fruity punch - Kung Fu Tea has something for everyone. There are plenty of ways to enjoy your favorites or mix it up and explore our menu with a wide variety of delicious toppings and fresh tea bases. We're so excited to celebrate National Bubble Tea Day with Boba lovers on our birthday every single year," says Kung Fu Tea Marketing Manager, Matthew Poveromo.

To expand the celebration, this April, Kung Fu Tea is launching a series of promotions surrounding their 14th Anniversary and National Bubble Tea Day!

4/15-4/30: Get a free Boba Bag featuring graphics from Nintendo's Princess Peach: Showtime! game with the purchase of 2 drinks from Princess Peach's Tea Party!
4/27-4/27: Get double app points with every purchase on the Kung Fu Tea App
4/29: Get a Free Medium Kiwi Punch with any drink purchase
4/30: Get a $6 app credit when you make any purchase with the Kung Fu Tea App. Credit to be redeemed the following week with every purchase!
Fans can hear the latest on all things boba by following Kung Fu Tea on TikTok and Instagram.

About Kung Fu Tea

Founded in Queens, NY in 2010, Kung Fu Tea is America's #1 Bubble Tea Company with over 400 locations across the U.S. and Canada. At Kung Fu Tea, each beverage is freshly handcrafted with authentic, high-quality ingredients. To learn more, please visit www.kungfutea.com or follow Kung Fu Tea's official social channels: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

So you can just make up a day when you found a company? That's not how it worked for us for Kung Fu Tai Chi Day.

[GeneChing]

05-07-2024
NEWS

Starbucks goes boba: This summer’s menu has bubble tea, and it’s a Gen Z dream
The generation’s favorite coffee chain is now serving up one of its most beloved beverages.


[Photo: Starbucks]

BY SARAH BREGEL
1 MINUTE READ

Boba, or bubble tea, is having a moment. It seems that new bubble tea joints are popping up everywhere you turn. Chains like Kung Fu Tea and Gong Cha are easy to come by, and there are even at-home boba kits for sale in grocery stores so you can have boba anytime.

Now, we can add Starbucks to the list of places to get our boba on. On May 7, Starbucks dropped its 2024 summer menu, and it of course includes bubble tea.

In a press release, the brand introduced its version of boba, which comes in “raspberry-flavored pearls.” They’re featured in three of the new summer drinks, but if you really love the chewy treats, you can add them to any drink.

The coffee company said it took inspiration from East Asian beverages with tapioca pearls when crafting the new drinks, focusing on adding a “refreshing pop of flavor and color” to the creations. The three featured drinks are all bright blue, and made of a “sweet and summery blend of raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry.” One drink is blended with water, another with lemonade, and another with coconut milk.

It’s a smart move for Starbucks, given bubble tea has never been more in demand. That popularity has largely been fueled by Gen Z—the social media generation that posts everything they eat and drink, meaning they lean into items that are fun and aesthetically pleasing. Bubble tea is both, and it’s beloved by celebrities and influencers—and right up Gen Z’s alley, and now, it’s also being sold by their favorite coffee chain.

While bubble tea is likely at the top of every Gen Zers next order, there are also fruity new bakery items including Orange Cream Cake Pop and Pineapple Cloud Cake. Starbucks is also offering some discounts to sweeten the deal: From May 15 to May 31, customers with the app can snag 50% off one handcrafted beverage every Friday, and on Mondays from May 13 to May 27, personalized offers will pop up in the app.

I will never drink one of these.

[GeneChing]

‘Dragons’ Den’: Simu Liu Calls Out Bubble Tea Company Bobba for Cultural Appropriation
Resonate Team13 October 20246 mins



Simu Liu, the acclaimed Chinese-Canadian actor known for breaking barriers in Hollywood with his roles in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, has found himself at the center of a cultural appropriation controversy following his recent appearance on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.

The popular reality show, which invites aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to a panel of seasoned investors, took an unexpected turn when Liu challenged a bubble tea company on their approach to the beloved Taiwanese beverage.

The company, Bobba, presented their product as a “convenient and healthier ready-to-drink experience,” boasting innovations such as alcoholic bubble tea and grab-and-go popping boba. However, Liu raised concerns about the company’s lack of Asian representation and their framing of the product as an improvement on the original.

“There’s an issue of cultural appropriation,” Liu stated. “There’s an issue of taking something that’s very distinctly Asian in its identity and quote-unquote ‘making it better,’ which I have an issue with.”

https://twitter.com/playingcnmymind/...60976068919330

This sparked a tense exchange with the company’s founders, Sebastien Fiset and Jess Frenette, who defended their product and highlighted their partnership with a Taiwanese supplier. “It’s a good question because our best partner is in Taiwan, actually,” Fiset explained. “So they make all the recipes, all the boba. We travel to Taiwan; we speak with them. They’re part of our team. It’s really important for us. So that’s the best part — that’s the cultural part of our product.”

However, Liu remained unconvinced, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the drink’s cultural origins and actively working to uplift minority entrepreneurs. “I am studying your can, and I am looking for anything that tells me where boba came from. And where boba came from is Taiwan,” Liu pointed out.

“You know, I started this venture company for a lot of reasons, but really, primarily to uplift minority entrepreneurs. And not only do I feel like this is not happening here, but that I would be uplifting a business that is profiting off of something that feels so dear to my cultural heritage. I want to be a part of bringing boba to the masses, but not like this. So for that reason, I’m out.”





Liu’s decision to withdraw his support for “Bobba” has resonated with many viewers, sparking a wider discussion about cultural appropriation, representation, and the responsibilities of entrepreneurs when engaging with products and traditions from different cultures. Social media platforms have been abuzz with comments both supporting and criticizing Liu’s stance.

Some users have applauded Liu for using his platform to call out what they perceive as cultural appropriation and for advocating for greater respect and recognition of Asian culture. One Twitter user commented, “Simu Liu calling out the yt people coming out with Bobba talking about ‘we’re making boba tea better’ and judges ignoring his commentary on cultural appropriation is an example of having a seat at the table and still being ignored. Brands take note when entering cultural markets.”





The episode concluded with “Bobba” accepting an offer from another investor, Manjit Minhas. However, the controversy surrounding Liu’s comments has left viewers pondering some important questions.

Did Simu Liu go too far in his criticism, or was he justified in raising concerns about cultural appropriation? Should entrepreneurs be held to a higher standard when it comes to respecting the cultural origins of products?

Bubble Tea - Boba
Cultural-Appropriation

[GeneChing]

CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM

NEWS PROVIDED BY
Kung Fu Tea
Oct 28, 2024, 15:00 ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kung Fu Tea, America's largest bubble tea brand, announces a partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures to celebrate the highly anticipated release of New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Animation's The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim film, directed by the illustrious Kenji Kamiyama and rendered in beautiful anime, the first time for a story from the J.R.R. Tolkien world. To mark this occasion, Kung Fu Tea will introduce five special themed drinks inspired by the movie, each presented in packaging inspired by the main characters.

Starting November 1st, The Lord Of The Rings die-hard fans and boba fanatics nationwide can find a series of refreshing, new limited-time-only drinks at their favorite local Kung Fu Tea locations until December 31, 2024!

Héra's Lavender Milk Tea – Join King of Rohan Helm Hammerhand's fierce daughter Héra on her fearless journey with our signature Milk Tea with Boba. Infused with lavender, this milk tea packs a bold, creamy flavor with subtle floral notes for a delicious finish.
Middle-earth Lavender Latte - Explore lush Middle-earth with our new Lavender Latte! Topped with Coffee Popping Boba, this sweet treat features delicious floral notes and playful texture in every sip.
Héra's Wild Lavender Punch - Gear up with Héra for her next adventure with this crisp Lavender Punch. Topped with Nata Jelly, this vibrant drink offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
Riders of Rohan Lemonade - Ride with Rohan with our classic Black Tea Lemonade! Paired with Lychee Crystal Boba, this tart lemonade is refreshingly crisp and bright!
Riders of Rohan Lemonade Can - For Riders on the go - our Black Tea Lemonade has all the flavor of our handcrafted drinks, now readily packaged for your next adventure!
The new drinks will be served in limited-edition The Lord of the Rings: The War of The Rohirrim custom cups with lids and an exclusive shield-shaped straw cap. Customers can also try two of the new flavors as hot drinks in Kung Fu Tea's first-ever customized hot cup. The partnership program will include a social media sweepstakes with prizes from Warner Bros. and a year's worth of Boba Credit through the Kung Fu Tea App.

Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg—a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm's Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.

Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming collaboration between Kung Fu Tea and Warner Bros. Pictures!

About The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

The original anime feature The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim returns audiences to the epic world brought to life in "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy, based on the revered books by J.R.R. Tolkien. Under the direction of award-winning filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama, the talented voice cast is led by Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand, the mighty King of Rohan; Gaia Wise as his daughter Héra; and Luke Pasqualino as Wulf. Miranda Otto, who delivered an unforgettable, award-winning performance in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, reprises her role as Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan, who serves as the tale's narrator. The voice ensemble also includes Lorraine Ashbourne, Yazdan Qafouri, Benjamin Wainwright, Laurence Ubong Williams, Shaun Dooley, Michael Wildman, Jude Akuwu****, Bilal Hasna and Janine Duvitski.

The original feature is being produced by Oscar winner Philippa Boyens, from the screenwriting team behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies, alongside Jason DeMarco and Joseph Chou. The executive producers are Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson, Sam Register, Ken Kamins, Carolyn Blackwood and Toby Emmerich. The screenplay is by Jeffrey Addiss & Will Matthews and Phoebe Gittins & Arty Papageorgiou, story by Addiss & Matthews and Boyens, based on characters created by J.R.R. Tolkien. The music is by Stephen Gallagher.

New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Animation Present, in Association with Wingnut Films, a Warner Bros. Animation and Sola Entertainment Production, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. The film will be distributed theatrically worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, released in cinemas nationwide on December 13, 2024, and internationally beginning 11 December 2024.

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