Cuisine Scene: Boba
Given that there seems to be a boba tea shop on every other corner, you may be surprised to learn that the popular drink, identifiable by its sweetness and pearl-shaped tapioca balls, was invented less than 40 years ago in Taiwan. It has since spread all over the globe with Long Beach doing its part; there are almost as many boba shops in town as coffee houses. Almost. Allow us to suggest a few terrific spots in town likely to fit you to a delicious tea.
CHA FOR TEA
Freshly made and open to customization, allowing customers to get the proper balance of sweetness and tea, Cha For Tea’s (5720 E. Seventh St.) most popular creations include a Mango Green Tea with half boba and half jelly fruit as well as a Roasted Brown Sugar Boba Latte. Lots of customers also grab something to eat, with crispy chicken and crispy dumplings being popular choices.
CALITEA
Located just off the Traffic Circle, CaliTea (4549 E Pacific Coast Hwy) has a spacious, comfortable interior great for relaxing with your drink, whether alone or meeting up with a friend. CaliTea prides themselves on never pre-brewing their tea but always brewing to order. Among the most ordered of their rather voluminous menu, are the Cali Milk Tea, Hibiscus Cooler Tea and Avocado Smoothie.
LOOSE LEAF
This popular downtown spot uses nothing artificial–creamer powder, food coloring, etc. Loose Leaf (315 Promenade North) teas are made fresh using an innovative tea press that is similar to an Espresso Machine, allowing them to consistently brew each cup of iced tea. Strawberry and Green Tea Matcha Latte, as well as Thai and Hong Kong Milk Tea are very popular.
KNEAD DONUTS & TEA
One of the drawbacks of being a main mover in Long Beach’s donut renaissance, is that people forget it’s called Knead Donuts & TEA. Indeed, the drinks Knead creates are just as important as their doughy gems. In fact, they are just as proud of their iced Vietnamese Coffee with Boba–which they will tell you is the best you’ll ever have–as their signature creme brulee donut. Same goes for their Passion Fruit Tea, Strawberry Mango Smoothie or Brown Sugar Milk Tea.
BOBA TEA HOUSE
This family-owned, West Long Beach shop serves a wide-range of classic milk teas–from taro to jasmine to almond to strawberry–all of which are affordably priced. To go with those drinks, Boba Tea House (1336 W Willow St) features a full menu of popular food items. Many longtime customers believe a Chicken Bahn Mi sandwich accompanied by a Milk Tea Boba is an absolute must.