Bubble tea, Taiwan's beloved drink, has grown into a global phenomenon, celebrated for its customizable flavors and chewy tapioca pearls. Originating in the 1980s, the drink blends tea, milk, and tapioca "bubbles" for a unique texture. Its invention is claimed by both Hanlin Tea Room&rsquos founder Tu Tsong He, who introduced pearl tea with tapioca, and Chun Shui Tang's Lin Hsiu Hui, who added tapioca to her tea during a staff meeting in 1988. A friendly court ruling eventually allowed any tea shop to serve the drink.Bubble tea is often hand-shaken to create a rich and silky iced beverage with fine air bubbles on top &ndash dubbed foam tea in Taiwan.  Hanlin Tea Room

Bubble tea&rsquos appeal lies in its innovation. Taiwanese brands like Tiger Sugar introduced fresh, brown sugar-laced versions, while international brands like the UK&rsquos Bubbleology adapted the drink with varied toppings. Despite these adaptations, the essence of bubble tea remains rooted in quality tea &ndash a lasting tribute to Taiwan&rsquos tea culture.