Bubble Tea and the World
For this project, we are interested in how bubble tea has spread on a global scale. The British and Tea No one knows who first added milk to tea, as it is a common practice among many cultures, however there is no doubt that the modern tea culture was largely influenced by the relationship between China and Britain during the years surrounding the Opium Wars. The British, being fond in particular of black teas and integrating milk as an essential part of their tea culture, had a profound influence on the regions they colonized and traded with. It is the opinion of the author that the British insistence on adding milk to tea, and their power within the tea industry as a result of “stealing” tea from China paved the way for the eventual formation of the tapioca and milk infused drink so many people know and love today. Globalization The spread of westernization led to a homogenized trend of culture, in this case Western consumerism methods of convenience and individua...