I have found something new to obsess about.
The bubble tea trend is back in town and it’s taking the “youth of today” by storm. Pronounced CHA-time, these trendy bubble tea outlets have been springing up all over town, since July last year. Most English speaking Malaysians say CHAT-time but whatever the pronunciation, it is a very well established Taiwanese brand of Bubble Tea that is widespread worldwide, from China, South East Asia, Paris, Africa, Canada and Australia.
What I discovered, much to my delight, is that, not only is Chatime’s bubble tea fun to drink, there is also a healthy, low sugar variation that is ideal for fitness freaks like me. Chatime to suit many lifestyles and here are some of the popular ones to look out for. I myself have tried them all and attest to the fact that they taste good.
The Health & Gym Freaks – The thing about chatime drinks is, you can choose your level of sweetness for every drink from the menu. You can choose, slight, less or no sugar at all. This is great for those watching their weight or wanting to reduce their sugar intake.
My favourites:
Honey Lemon Aloe (No added sugar , with lovely chunks of Aloevera)
Honey Pomelo
Taiwanese Ice Plum Tea
Honey Pomelo
Taiwanese Ice Plum Tea
The tea Enthusiasts and purists – Chatime tea’s are made from freshly brewed tea leaves. Nothing is made from the yucky powders and flavoured syrups we all remember of bubble tea from yesteryear. You have fresh classic teas such as TieGuanYin, Pu-Erh and Genmaicha tea’s you can have on its own or with added toppings. Most of their drinks can be served hot too.
The ones to look out for:
Mango green tea
Wintermelon Grass Jelly
Mango Green Tea
Winter Melon Grass Jelly
The Adventurous Drinkers – There are lots of colourful funky new combinations to try if you’re the type to crave something exciting in texture.
I really dig the:
Grapefruit QQ
Japanese Matcha RedBean Smoothie
Strawberry Au lait
Grapefruit QQ
Japanese Matcha Red Bean Smoothie
Strawberry Au Liat
Most Regular size drinks start at RM4.90 a cup and RM5.90-6.90 for Large size cups.
Ciki and her bubble tea… Tea time, oh yeah!!
List of all Malaysian Outlets:
Pavilion KL – Lvl 4 connection level
Timesquare KL – Lower Groundfloor Centercourt
The Gardens Midvalley City – Lower Ground Floor
Sunway Pyramid – First Floor, New wing, Asian Avenue entrance
SS2 Mall – Ground Floor
SS15 Subang – First floor of shop lots; Directly facing Asia Cafe.
First Avenue Penang – 8th Floor; Next to TGV cinemas
LINK: www.chatime.com.my
LINK: fellow blogger who loves CHA
I love me my Japanese matcha red bean smoothie – yummy! 🙂
must admit, this is all new to me. I come from the era of fake powdered bubble tea that just tasted too sweet for my liking. Now Chatime, i LIKE!
That’s exactly the reaction we want from people in Toronto! The people of Toronto have suffered far too long with fake powdered bubble tea. It’s time we introduced them to a little Chatime =)
I’ve just only been inducted to Chatime last week! It makes a great light meal on the go! I wonder if they might do a soy milk substitute down the road so I can indulge in the smoothies!
my favourites are the grapefruit and winter melon. totally awesome;)
I am a fan of the honey lemon aloe vera, can’t take the milk one too much. But yes i have it every day in Philippines! Beats starbucks any time! Best 80php spent!
LOL, don’t you like coffee neko? I like both my coffee and bubble tea;)
i like coffee but not starbucks hehehe… give me illy or lavazz anytime!
What is the special of honey lemon aloe?
YAY!! chatime! <3 hehehe
ya ya ya !
Yea! CHA-Time…I am on my 110th cup now 😀
My favs are the TieGuanYin and Japanese Matcha Tea Lattes…with pearls of course 😀
i LOVE the pearls in my grapefruit QQ!
oooh, i was pavilion just now on a sweltering afternoon. shoulda stopped here for an avocado-laced beverage (sounds excellent, hope they’re fairly generous with the avocado!) 😀
sounds so decadant.. i LIKE!
Bubble tea? I’m fascinated. Is that like flavoured ice tea? and are they fizzy like soda?
not exactly fizzy. more like tea! with stuff in it! LOL
Bubble tea is super popular in New York too! I drink it at least once a week… although we don’t have the low-sugar version yet. I think it’s gonna give me diabetes 🙂
LOL, well in KL you can choose NO sugar. as in sugar free. much much better!
ahhh so now i know why there’s always a long queue at Cha Time!
LOL, yeap!
I love my macha tea with pearls, baby, pearls! 🙂
me too!
Yum! Love Bubble Tea. I wonder how long it would take for this Chaitime brand to come to the states!
hopefully not too long!
Great post! We especially love the pictures =) Just FYI, we’re opening our first outlet in Toronto in September. If you come to Toronto, make sure you stop by for a visit (and a write up ;p)!
OMG where and when in Toronto is the Chatime opening??? I lived in Taipei for 3 years and had a bubble tea from them pretty much every single day :o) Compared to what we have now in Toronto these guys will blow away the competition. We’ve never had authentic Taiwanese bubble tea here before (despite the claims). Please, please, please tell me where you guys are opening (I’m hoping its somewhere in downtown Toronto, and not up in the burbs ie. Richmond Hill or Markham)
The Best Bubble tea will be coming to Downtown Toronto, 132 Dundas St. W.
We will be opening in early September so please “Like” us on facebook to find out about the grand opening date as well as special promotions and offers 🙂
Didn’t realise that Bubble Tea was that popular even in the states.. I really hope they bring it to you soon too;)
Really, wow.. Toronto.. I wanna come!! 😀
I re-discover the love of bubble tea! First time I had was in Tapei and they made it SOOOO sweet!! I didn’t like it at all. But now, I found the right one 😀