Hot bubble tea is the way to go
So I was thinking more about things that the free market cannot provide and that the government has to do. Those pre-screened credit card offers in the mail. Goddamn they're annoying. They make me think I'd have one thousand gabillion airline miles if I just sign up for a new card or something. Free market hasn'tt stopped that. I don't know anyone who's like, "Man, I just can't wait to get more junkmail!" But here we are, and the end of the first decade in the 21st century and no free market solution has been invented. You know what else the market does well and poorly at the same time? Bubble tea. Since its popularity has grown beyond its original Asian fan base, you now can find bubble tea on every corner in Chinatown here in New York. Very often you'll see a random shop just buy some colorful powder and add it to hot water to make some fake bubble 'tea'. Bubble tea made without tea is disgusting. It's watery (duh) and the whole experience leaves you wanting. While the choices for bubble tea is neverending, the choices for good bubble tea is few and far between. Saint's Alp is really one of the better ones in New York.
In the summer I tried Ten Ren and their buckwheat bubble tea. During the colder months though, I like getting hot bubble teas instead of cold ones. The ones at Saint's Alp are good. I tried the taro version. The fact that they use tea in their bubble tea is great. It makes a difference in the final product.
Also I just want to take a minute to say that The Walking Dead is AWESOME, and the season finale is this Sunday. If you're not watching this show, you really gotta start. I even started naming my fantasy basketball team after the show, because I have a life. You know, because all I do is eat, watch zombie shows, and play fantasy basketball. Ah life... maybe I need another bubble tea.
Saint's Alp Teahouse
39 3rd Ave.
New York, NY 10003
212-598-1890
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I've only really drank bubble tea during the Summer months (since I think it's overpriced in the US in most cases), so I default to cold, but the best bubble drink I've ever had was hot tapioca pearls made from brown sugar/in brown sugar syrup mixed with the Taiwanese equivalent of half and half. Holy bajeezus that was good. Warm bubbles, cold cream.
Nicholas
December 2, 2010 5:11 pm
Agreed on fake bubble tea. Back in socal real tea places are in greater supply... that's what happens when Taiwanese take over entire neighborhoods on the west coast :P
Strangely I didn't really get into bubble tea until I moved out to NYC. when I go back to CA, hitting the local tea house at closing time has become a really great ritual... nostalgia for times I never had!
James
December 2, 2010 8:23 pm
@Nicholas,
Word, it's definitely overpriced here in the U.S. tea is dirt cheap and tapioca pearls aren't that costly either... The idea of warm bubbles and cold cream just gives me chills. haha. We need this in the states.
@James,
See, that's why socal is awesome. haha. No wonder you want to return to your motherland at some point. The Taiwanese took over Flushing at some point but now it's like one third mainlanders, one third Koreans. Makes it harder to get good bubble tea but the bbq scene sure benefits! And right on about nostalgia for times one never had... I lived in Nashville for like 6 years and never had hot chicken. wtf? haha
Danny
December 3, 2010 11:17 am
I was just thinking about having some hot bubble tea yesterday. Does it make the babbo softer?
The Walking Dead is awesome. Even though some scenes literally made me gag.
ceewonders
December 3, 2010 1:15 pm
Ooh~ warm bubbles with cream = delicious. I also love grass jelly (hot or cold) with the Taiwanese "half and half"...whatever they call it.
I think what I dislike most about "fake bubble tea" is that you can sort of taste the powder? It's just a nasty gritty feeling on the tongue. Blech.
AJ Hwang
December 6, 2010 2:59 pm
I'm a fan of bubble tea myself and I would have to say that you need to try out Kung Fu Tea. They're in the East Village (10th st. between 1st and 2nd ave), and they're also in Flushing. I find their milk tea to be really fragrant and unique amongst the other bubble tea houses in Manhattan. They can adjust the sweetness just like they do in Taiwan. Their tapioca balls are nicely cooked, perfectly QQ! You should definitely try it out sometime.
Terry
December 6, 2010 11:07 pm
@ceewonders,
The scenes are a little gory sometimes, but that's why it's good. Sometimes it's slow during the character developments, but there aren't many zombie shows out there...
@AJ,
Now I gotta go figure out what the heck is this Taiwanese 'half and half'... I'm not sure what you and Nick are talking about. But I want it!
@Terry,
Thanks for the tip about a new place on 10th. I'll try to remember next time I'm in the area.
Danny
December 7, 2010 11:28 am
They're literally little individual packets, a little bit bigger than half and half. Surprisingly, there's actually quite a lot despite the tiny container. I have a picture of the grass jelly one here: http://snacktimemunchies.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/delicious-randomness-snack-till-you-drop/ (post not written by me).
Kung Fu tea is awesome, definitely my favorite go-to place while I'm in Flushing. =) They're a bit pricier and adding grass jelly costs extra.
AJ Hwang
December 7, 2010 3:31 pm
Oooh, definitely keeping this place on my list when I get to New York. The city has sooooo many must-do places for good eat and drink. That's why one is never, ever hungry in New York.
Carolyn Jung
December 22, 2010 12:20 pm