What is Chatime we hear you ask? Well that’s exactly what we wanted to know as well. Chatime are delighted to announce they are set to open their first Scottish branch in Edinburgh on the 2nd June. Chatime are creators of authentic, refreshing and delicious Taiwanese bubble teas. They are set to open in the hustle and bustle of the Old Town on 14 Bank Street, just minutes away from the castle and in the middle of the busy shopping district.
So what is bubble tea?
Put simply, bubble tea is a rejuvenating tea-based beverage – which can be served both ice-cold and piping hot. This innovative take on tea was created in the 1980s by the street vendors of Taiwan, and keen as they were to experiment with bold new flavours and alluring colours in order to attract more trade and stay ahead of competitors, the bubble tea repertoire expanded brightly and rapidly. Before long, bubble tea had made it into the established teashops of Taiwan and a tea-drinking phenomenon was born.
But where do the bubbles come in?
Also known as pearl milk tea or boba milk tea, the word ‘bubble’ is actually an Anglicisation of ‘boba,’ which means ‘large’ and refers to the oversized and chewy tapioca balls that you’ll often see added to this revitalising and often filling drink. Customers can suck these little pearls up through a straw and/or fish them out with the spoon shaped tip, making for a unique tea experience! Most recipes for bubble tea involve a tea base, mixed with fruit or milk. Slushy-style versions of bubble tea are also available at Chatime, made with ice and blended with syrup or fruit for an extra refreshing drink. The Cha is brewed fresh in store, using tea leaves and only the highest quality natural ingredients. A team of artisan tea developers and testers develop and create each recipe ensuring that the menus change regularly to offer new and delectable flavour fusions, keeping the concept dynamic and adventurous at all times.
The interior design for Chatime Edinburgh articulates the idea of traditional Asian tea culture in a modern and place-specific context. The mixture of dark wooden floors and light wood panelling is inspired by Chatime’s Taiwanese roots, as are the natural grey tones which accentuate the space. The lounge area offers a relaxing environment with grey sofas, soft lighting and chilled music, which allows for a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Peter Wong, founder of Chatime UK comments “We’re excited to launch our first store in Scotland and to have found such a brilliant location in the centre of the city. Bubble Tea is the perfect summer refreshment and we can’t wait to welcome the people of Edinburgh in to try our delicious selection.”
This all sounds pretty good to us, so to celebrate their grand opening they’ve got a fantastic offer. Buy ONE get ONE FREE between 2nd and 10th June.
Chatime | 14 Bank Street, EH1 2LN, Edinburgh |
Opening hours:
11am – 9pm, Monday – Sunday
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