
No, there are no bubbles in bubble tea. In fact, bubble tea — also known as boba tea — sometimes might not even have tea as an ingredient but could be made from coffee, milk, fruit, or chewy "pearls" found at the bottom of the cup. However it's made, bubble tea is suddenly all the rage and can be found nationwide, from mall food courts to high-end restaurants.
Originating in Taiwan, bubble tea appears to be named for the milk froth formed when the drink is shaken. But when it's referred to as "boba," that's a Taiwanese slang term for the pearls.
So where can someone interested in Baltimore homes for sale go if they'd like a bubble tea?
- WOW Food Cafe - 222 N. Charles St., Baltimore
Just a 15-minute walk from the Inner Harbor, the WOW Food Cafe is widely touted for its "real" Chinese food, including its celebrated boba tea. Menu items include Cantonese congee, minced pork rice, and fried chicken curry rice, not to mention appetizers such as Japanese fried mochi, Cantonese fried golden bun, or fried fish balls. And that's just the food items; boba drinks are many and varied, including tea drinks with and without milk. WOW is conveniently located in the EATS Food Court.
- HH Tea - 30 W. Biddle St., Baltimore
Proclaiming itself the "best bubble tea cafe near UB (University of Baltimore)," HH Tea offers a quick bubble tea experience, with some grab-and-go snacks. There's also a table game bar, and you can get your card stamped every time you make a purchase and get the eighth drink free.
- Simply Sip Tea - 413 S. High St., Baltimore
Billed as "the finest tea shop," Simply Sip Tea is a tiny space with a couple of seats where you can wait for your drink. The shop offers an extensive tea menu, including fruit teas with real chopped fruit (you'll love the Coconut Mango Bliss); milk cap tea and house milk tea (try Jasmine Green Milk Tea); natural teas; and specials, such as Matcha Milk Tea Adzuki. Boba and Sago toppings are also available. Open every day and into the evening, Simply Sip Tea is located in the Little Italy section of Baltimore, known for its vintage houses, charming cafes, and warm atmosphere.
- Kung Fu Tea - 508 York Road, Towson
Founded by four friends, among them a native Taiwanese who had a successful boba tea chain back home, Kung Fu Tea is part of a chain, which has locations in four countries and across the country. The menu offers punch (try Honey Lemonade); slushes (the non-dairy Taro Slush is creamy and sweet); milk caps (the Winter Melon Milk Cap is salty, creamy and dessert-like); and milk strikes, including the Red Bean Wow Milk, made with whole milk and brown sugar. Besides the Towson shop, Kung Fu also has locations in Nottingham and near Owings Mills homes for sale.
- TeaDo - 3355 St. Johns Lane, Ellicott City
TeaDo bills itself as a contemporary tea house, and it lives up to the name. With locations in other Eastern cities, TeaDo in family-friendly and scenic Ellicott City offers a refreshing break from whatever you're up to as you pass through, including looking at Ellicott City homes for sale. At TeaDo, you're likely to be dazzled by the varied menu of special teas, smoothies, aloe vera drinks, popping bubbles drinks, seasonal specialties, fruit teas, and snacks.
Want a bubble tea shop or some other special amenity near your new home? Our real estate agents can help. Contact us today.