Theresa Hu, a Taiwanese national now residing in the UK, has embarked on a culinary mission to bring the authentic flavors of Taiwanese bubble tea to Chennai with her cheekily named cafe, Taiwan Maami. Located in Palladium Mall in Velachery, the cafe boasts a welcoming ambiance with bright, cheerful signage, aesthetic wallpaper, and bustling baristas. The walls feature paintings, including one of the bustling marketplace at Jiufen, a town in Taipei renowned as the origin of bubble tea.
The Origins of Bubble Tea
Theresa shares insights into the origins of bubble tea, explaining that the drink dates back to the early 1980s in Taiwan. Contrary to popular belief, the “bubble” in bubble tea refers to the frothy bubbles created by shaking the tea with syrups or sugar in a cocktail shaker, not the tapioca pearls (boba), which were a later addition.
Bringing Bubble Tea to Chennai
Having grown up enjoying bubble tea in Taiwan and witnessing its growing popularity during her time in the UK, Theresa was inspired to introduce her favorite beverage to Chennai. Taiwan Maami’s menu is built on a foundation of organically grown Green Tea, Oolong Tea, and Black Tea from the Nilgiris, along with tapioca pearls imported from Taiwan. The cafe prides itself on using fresh dairy products and avoiding artificial colors.
Menu Highlights
We started our tasting experience with the creme caramel oolong milk tea, featuring a generous layer of cream at the bottom. The menu includes a variety of milk-based teas, such as the classic Taiwan milk teas, which are particularly popular among Taiwanese customers. Other intriguing options include an English cream tea latte, tiramisu latte, basundi milk oolong, and a moringa chocolate oolong latte, all crafted with house-made syrups and ingredients.
Adventurous Choices
We ventured to try the Black Forest black tea latte, a dessert-inspired tea with cherry sauce, cake sauce, shaved chocolate, tea, and boba. While the sharp cherry sauce taste was somewhat overwhelming, the next drink, a virgin mojito green tea, proved to be a refreshing delight. This cold twist on green tea, combined with boba, is a sure palate pleaser for green tea enthusiasts.
Ice Slush and Desserts
Taiwan Maami’s extensive ice slush menu is perfect for Chennai’s hot weather. We sampled the pink guava ice slush with boba, which perfectly complemented the fruity flavors and crushed ice. From the dessert menu, we tried the green tea crystal jelly served on a platter of boba. The boba, glazed in jaggery after being boiled and braised, added a sweet, chewy texture that paired well with the mildly flavored jelly.
Conclusion
Taiwan Maami is a delightful addition to Chennai’s culinary scene, offering a genuine taste of Taiwanese bubble tea. With its authentic ingredients and innovative menu, the cafe is set to win over bubble tea enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
