Tea, a gift from British colonialists, has entrenched itself as a beloved local beverage in the Indian Subcontinent. In Dhaka, engaging in some tea talk with a warm cup has become a quintessentially Dhakaite pastime.
However, the narrative takes an intriguing turn with the emergence of Boba Tea – a flavorful concoction featuring tapioca pearls, albeit at a somewhat premium price.
Over the recent years, Dhaka’s streets have witnessed the proliferation of cafes offering diverse variations of bubble tea. The introduction of Boba tea to Bangladesh can be credited to Formosa QQ, incorporating tapioca pearls into smoothies and juices. Nevertheless, the fervor for boba pearls in milk or tea-based beverages truly took root with the arrival of the Taiwanese brand ‘Chatime’ in 2014.
Since then, the boba tea trend has flourished, prompting The Business Standard to explore the most buzzworthy boba teas in town.
Gotcha’s Brown Sugar Cheese Tea
A perennial favorite and the drink that catapulted Gotcha to popularity, the Brown Sugar Cheese Tea boasts a foundation of imported brown sugar, black boba pearls, milk tea, and a cream cheese topping. The imported cream cheese powder from Taiwan imparts a subtly creamy and salty undertone to the beverage.
Gotcha offers a range of topping options, including burning grass jelly, pudding jelly, and coconut jelly. Undoubtedly, the Brown Sugar Cheese Tea stands out with its creamy consistency, chewy black pearls, and caramelized notes, leaving behind a delightful creamy aftertaste.
Koi Thé’s Classic Milk Tea
In the realm of upscale boba destinations in Dhaka, Koi Thé consistently takes the lead. As an internationally reputed chain originating from Taiwan and now partnered with the TAD group in Bangladesh, Koi Thé delivers the classic essence of milk tea. The Koi Milk Tea, a signature blend of raw black tea sourced directly from Taiwan, offers a unique experience with every sip.
According to Tahamid Adnan, the operations manager of Koi in Bangladesh, everything in the tea, except the water, is sourced internationally. The blend of raw black tea and milk, coupled with a preferred level of sweetener, creates a delightful treat with a smooth, creamy texture that lingers on the taste buds. The inclusion of golden tapioca pearls elevates the experience, making Koi a preferred choice for Dhakaites.
Chamichi’s Brown Sugar Milk Tea
Launched contemporaneously with Koi Thé, Chamichi has swiftly ascended the ranks as one of Dhaka’s best boba tea spots in recent months. While not dramatically distinct from its counterparts, Chamichi puts its own spin on the Brown Sugar Milk Tea, offering a slightly sweeter yet consistently enjoyable variant.
Despite the sweetness, the taste of the milk tea remains discernible, and the combination of cream cheese and golden bubbles at the end proves satisfying. Noteworthy are the tapioca pearls, with a fine texture that bursts in the mouth, leaving a craving for more.
Sifat Arman, one of Chamichi’s founders, emphasizes the rarity of popping boba pearls in Dhaka, presenting them as the standout element in their fruit-based drinks.
