Walk into most bubble tea shops around the world, and the focus is almost always on the toppings — the boba, the jelly, the cream cheese foam. But ask anyone in Taiwan what makes a great bubble tea, and the answer is always the same: the tea.
Tea is not just an ingredient in bubble tea. It is the soul of the drink. Everything else — the milk, the sweetness, the toppings — exists to complement the tea, not to overpower it. At Taiwan Maami, this belief shapes everything we do.
Not All Tea Is Created Equal
There is a world of difference between whole-leaf tea and the crushed, dust-grade tea that ends up in most commercial tea bags and bubble tea powders. Whole-leaf teas retain their essential oils, their complex flavour compounds, and their natural aroma. When you brew them properly, the result is a cup with layers of flavour — floral notes, malty undertones, a gentle sweetness that lingers.
Crushed tea, on the other hand, releases its tannins quickly, producing a bitter, one-dimensional brew that needs heavy sweetening to be palatable. This is why so many bubble tea shops load their drinks with sugar — they are compensating for poor-quality tea.
The Three Pillars: Black, Oolong, and Green
Black tea is the classic foundation of Taiwanese milk tea. Fully oxidised, it produces a rich, robust brew with malty and caramel notes that pair beautifully with milk. Our organic black tea is sourced from Taiwanese estates and brewed to bring out its natural sweetness without bitterness.
Oolong tea sits between black and green tea in terms of oxidation, and it is arguably Taiwan's greatest contribution to the tea world. Taiwanese oolongs are renowned globally for their floral complexity — think orchid, honey, and roasted grain notes that unfold with every sip. Our oolong-based drinks showcase this complexity, making them perfect for those who want something more nuanced.
Green tea is the lightest of the three, with a fresh, vegetal character that works wonderfully with fruit flavours and lighter preparations. Our green tea base is delicate and clean, designed to refresh rather than overwhelm.
Temperature, Time, and Technique
Brewing tea is not as simple as pouring hot water over leaves. Each tea type has an optimal brewing temperature and steeping time that unlocks its best qualities while avoiding bitterness.
Black tea thrives at near-boiling temperatures with a steeping time of three to five minutes. Oolong requires slightly cooler water and a more attentive approach — too long, and the delicate floral notes turn astringent. Green tea is the most sensitive, demanding lower temperatures and shorter steeping times to preserve its fresh, grassy character.
At Taiwan Maami, we have calibrated our brewing process for each tea type. Every batch is brewed fresh, timed precisely, and used within hours — never left sitting overnight or reheated the next day.
Why Certain Teas Work Better with Milk
Not every tea is meant to be a milk tea. The proteins in milk bind with tannins in tea, which is why robust, fully oxidised black teas and medium-oxidised oolongs pair so well with milk — they have enough body to stand up to it. Lighter teas, like green tea and lightly oxidised oolongs, are better enjoyed on their own or with fruit, where their delicate flavours can shine.
This is why our menu is designed the way it is. Our milk tea options use teas that are naturally suited to milk, while our fruit tea and pure tea options highlight teas that are best enjoyed without it.
How Boba Complements, Not Overpowers
In a well-made bubble tea, boba should be a textural accent — a pleasant surprise at the bottom of each sip — not the main event. The chew of freshly made tapioca pearls adds a playful contrast to the smooth tea, but it should never dominate the flavour. This is why we keep our boba lightly sweetened and freshly cooked, so it enhances the tea experience rather than masking it.
Tea-First, Toppings-Second
Our philosophy is simple: if the tea is not good enough to drink on its own, it is not good enough for bubble tea. Every cup we serve starts with a tea base that we are proud of — one that has been carefully selected, properly brewed, and thoughtfully paired.
The toppings, the sweetness, the customisations — they are all there for you to enjoy. But the tea is always the star.
Taste the difference real tea makes — visit Taiwan Maami or order online today.