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History of Bubble Tea
Tea’s history
Bubble tea emerged in China in the late 1980s, extending first to the neighboring countries of East Asia, and then migrating to Canada and the Chinatown of New York, from where it passed to several points on the US west coast. In Mexico City it can be found in oriental establishments and in the Bubble Town cafeteria, in the Zona Rosa.
There are two places that claim to be the creator of bubble tea. One is the tea house Chun Shui Tang (春水 å ‚) in Taichung (Taiwan), where Liu Han Chie experimented with tea with cold milk by mixing it with fruit, syrup, caramelized sweet potato and tapioca balls in the early 1980s. At first the drink was not popular, a Japanese television program generated interest among businessmen.
The other is the Hanlin tea house (翰林) in Tainan (Taiwan), owned by Tu Tsong He Hanlin, who made the tea using the traditional white fenyuan, which looks like pearls, which supposedly resulted in pearl tea. Soon after, Hanlin changed the white fenyuan (粉 圓) to the black version that is currently known.
The oldest known bubble tea consisted of a mixture of Taiwanese hot black tea, small tapioca pearls (粉 圆), condensed milk and syrup (糖浆) or honey
Benefits of Tea
In ancient China, tea was considered an elixir with medicinal properties. Nowadays, studies published by multiple medical organizations, research institutes and universities, suggest that tea consumption really has a wide range of health benefits:
1. Cancer Prevention: Tea contains flavonoids, antioxidants that help protect the body's cells and tissues from damage caused by free radicals. Clinical studies indicate that these flavonoids can block the action of enzymes and substances that promote cancer growth, suggesting an inverse relationship between tea intake and this disease.
2. Healthy Heart: Studies suggest that frequent tea consumption decreases the occurrence of heart attacks, lowering blood cholesterol, improving blood function in the veins and inhibiting atherosclerosis.
3. Oral Health: Several studies reveal that the habitual ingestion of tea contributes with the reduction of caries, as a result of its high content of fluorine, and it increases the resistance of the teeth to acid and bacteria.
Healthy Bones: A study conducted in Taiwan for more than a decade revealed that frequent tea intake increases bone mineral density in men and women.
4. Gastrointestinal Health: Prolonged consumption of tea could eliminate bacteria that attack the digestive system.
Youth: Studies suggest that tea antioxidants protect the body from the damage of free radicals, associated with the aging process.
5. Weight Loss: Some studies suggest that the combination of caffeine and tea antioxidants promote weight loss, reducing the amount of fat and cholesterol absorbed by the body.
History of Bubble Tea
Tea’s history
Bubble tea emerged in China in the late 1980s, extending first to the neighboring countries of East Asia, and then migrating to Canada and the Chinatown of New York, from where it passed to several points on the US west coast. In Mexico City it can be found in oriental establishments and in the Bubble Town cafeteria, in the Zona Rosa.
There are two places that claim to be the creator of bubble tea. One is the tea house Chun Shui Tang (春水 å ‚) in Taichung (Taiwan), where Liu Han Chie experimented with tea with cold milk by mixing it with fruit, syrup, caramelized sweet potato and tapioca balls in the early 1980s. At first the drink was not popular, a Japanese television program generated interest among businessmen.
The other is the Hanlin tea house (翰林) in Tainan (Taiwan), owned by Tu Tsong He Hanlin, who made the tea using the traditional white fenyuan, which looks like pearls, which supposedly resulted in pearl tea. Soon after, Hanlin changed the white fenyuan (粉 圓) to the black version that is currently known.
The oldest known bubble tea consisted of a mixture of Taiwanese hot black tea, small tapioca pearls (粉 圆), condensed milk and syrup (糖浆) or honey
Benefits of Tea
In ancient China, tea was considered an elixir with medicinal properties. Nowadays, studies published by multiple medical organizations, research institutes and universities, suggest that tea consumption really has a wide range of health benefits:
1. Cancer Prevention: Tea contains flavonoids, antioxidants that help protect the body's cells and tissues from damage caused by free radicals. Clinical studies indicate that these flavonoids can block the action of enzymes and substances that promote cancer growth, suggesting an inverse relationship between tea intake and this disease.
2. Healthy Heart: Studies suggest that frequent tea consumption decreases the occurrence of heart attacks, lowering blood cholesterol, improving blood function in the veins and inhibiting atherosclerosis.
3. Oral Health: Several studies reveal that the habitual ingestion of tea contributes with the reduction of caries, as a result of its high content of fluorine, and it increases the resistance of the teeth to acid and bacteria.
Healthy Bones: A study conducted in Taiwan for more than a decade revealed that frequent tea intake increases bone mineral density in men and women.
4. Gastrointestinal Health: Prolonged consumption of tea could eliminate bacteria that attack the digestive system.
Youth: Studies suggest that tea antioxidants protect the body from the damage of free radicals, associated with the aging process.
5. Weight Loss: Some studies suggest that the combination of caffeine and tea antioxidants promote weight loss, reducing the amount of fat and cholesterol absorbed by the body.
Chinese Legend
According to a Chinese legend, tea was discovered by mere chance by Emperor Shen-Nung some 3,000 years before Christ. This happened as follows: the emperor, along with his entourage, rested in the shade of a large tree. They had lit a fire, and a pot of hot water was bubbling. The heat of the fire dried some leaves on the long branches of the tree. Suddenly, a strong wind arose and blew several leaves into the cauldron with the water. The water was dyed a golden color and a delicious perfume emanated from the cauldron. The emperor tasted the drink and loved both the perfume and the delicious taste. Realizing at once the pleasant and stimulating effect, the cry escaped the emperor: "T'sa", which means "the divine". To this day, in Chinese, tea is called "cha".
Indian and Japanese Legends
From India also comes a legend that goes like this: in the year 500 after Christ, the fakir Dharma made the vow not to sleep for 7 years. However, after 5 years of spiritual immersion, it seemed that he could no longer conquer the dream. Filled with despair and aware of not being able to fulfill his vow, he took some branches from a tree under which he had camped. He filled his mouth with some leaves and chewed them. Soon after, Dharma experienced a refreshing and stimulating effect and regained the necessary energy to fulfill his vow.
The Japanese also have their own legend about the discovery of tea. The penitent Bodhidarma made a promise to meditate for 7 years. Despite his promise, one night he fell asleep. When he woke up the next morning, he got so angry at his breach of promise that he cut his eyelids and threw them to the ground. As soon as their eyelids touched the ground they took root, and soon they became a large bush. When the penitent saw the miracle, an infusion of the leaves was prepared. From all regions came people who had learned of the miracle. Many imitated the penitent and prepared a drink from the leaves. The refreshing and stimulating effect became famous everywhere! The delicious flavor and perfume of the infusion were enough reason to consider it a "divine" gift. In Japanese writing, the eyelid and tea characters are the same to this day.
Why use metal straws?
Metal straws are a smart alternative to the harmful plastic straws that get caught up inside the nostrils of marine wildlife used when drinking boba tea.
As humans, we need to begin to take conscience of the impact of our wastes in the planet. By using ALINK's metal straws, you will make a life-time friend that will accompany you through all your beverages and will reduce you impact in the environment. What is better that enjoying your cup of Bubble Tea while being an environmental activist? Be as green as your green tea milk tea!