2016 Nov 9
Bubbles, bubbles everywhere! The latest trend that has been hitting the nation is none other than the famous bubble tea. In the short time that it has sprung into existence in the country, Bubble Tea has climbed high on the favourite beverage pedestal.
As most of you know, we Lankans love our tea. Plain tea, milk tea, iced tea and, now among the youth especially, bubble tea! And as we love to embrace our Lankan flavours as well, we have King Coconut Water (Thambili) Bubble Tea, Rose Milk or Faluda Bubble Tea, Coconut Jelly Bubble Tea, and Milo Bubble Tea.
However, in an alternate universe, let’s imagine a family of innovative Lankan foodies created this oh-so-heavenly thing called “Bubble Tea”. How would that have turned out?
Okay, so in my mind, this is how it goes. Tapioca pearls or Bubbles as you would have it, would have been sauw (sago) or, if our inventive Lankans favoured something a bit chewier, mini Jujubes. Picture it; Milo Bubble Tea with Strawberry Jujubes (not the greatest concoction, but you know..)! That’s what I’m talking about.
The most popular brand of Jujubes, Glucorasa, which is currently much-loved amongst the older generation, consists of five flavours; lemon, orange, strawberry, apple and pineapple. In the case that these are the substitute for the oh-so-delicious tapioca pearls, there are so many different tropical flavours these jujubes could sync with! They could even have an accompaniment of poppy seeds or kasa-kasa as you may know it (like in Faluda!).
Hence, Bubble Teas could like this (My taste palette would indefinitely vary from everyone else’s, so bear with me here.)
- Mango Bubble Tea with Apple Flavoured Jujubes
- Banana Bubble Tea with Strawberry Flavoured Jujubes
- Rambutan Bubble Tea with Orange Flavoured Jujubes
- Soursop Bubble Tea with Strawberry Flavoured Jujubes
- Avocado Bubble Tea with Apple Flavoured Jujubes
- Jambu Bubble Tea with Orange Flavoured Jujubes
- Dragon Fruit Bubble Tea with Pineapple Flavoured Jujubes
- Pineapple Bubble Tea with Strawberry Flavoured Jujubes
- Papaya Bubble Tea with Lemon Flavoured Jujubes
But coming back to reality, Bubble Tea isn’t all that Sri Lankan. It has its not-so-Lankan flavours, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s something different for us all.
So far, there are three widely known places in our island-nation that serve this fascinating beverage; Bubblelement, Bubble Me Bubble Tea and Mabroc Bubble Tea.
Bubblelement was a classy little shop in Galle Fort, but as people began to love their concoctions more and more, they (thankfully) expanded to Colombo. Alongside their fabulous Bubble Tea, they have a delightful mix of paninis on their menu as well. The ambience of the little boutique is also perfect for perfectly candid photographs. You can dig in to the goodies available at Bubblelement between their working hours; 8AM to 8PM.
On Thimbirigasyaya Road, lies Bubble Me Bubble Tea. They offer a takeaway style experience for those of you on the go, and their menu boasts not only of milk teas but of fruit teas, yoghurt teas, flavoured green teas and slushies! Their wall art is also a delight to look at and is ideal for a good photo-op. They are open from 10AM to 8PM.
Lastly, we have Mabroc Bubble Tea. Descendant of the famous Mabroc Teas, this Bubble Tea store located in the Liberty Plaza Food Court is home to a wide variety of hot and cold Bubble Teas, Bubble Fruiteas, Bubble Shakes, Bubble Snows and Herbal Bubble Teas. The prices are also very reasonable and the store is bright, colorful and filled with happiness! You can indulge at Mabroc Bubble Tea till 10PM.
