How bubble tea got its bubbles ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Summary

In this episode of 6 Minute English, hosts Neil and Beth discuss the popularity of tea versus coffee in Britain, highlighting the rise of new tea trends like iced tea and matcha. They introduce bubble tea, a drink invented in Taiwan in 1987 by Liu Han-Chieh, featuring tea mixed with milk, ice, and chewy tapioca balls. The episode explores the drink's history, its spread to international markets, and its potential to revolutionize tea culture in Britain.

Takeaways

• ☕ People in Britain have various preferences for tea and coffee, with a traditional love for tea.
• 🍵 Beth drinks English breakfast tea, matcha tea, and herbal tea daily, showing her love for tea.
• 🌟 A significant part of the program discusses bubble tea, an innovative drink originating from Taiwan.
• 🥤 Bubble tea, also known as pearl milk tea, includes tea mixed with milk, crushed ice, and chewy tapioca balls.
• 🌍 Bubble tea's popularity has spread internationally, especially after being promoted by celebrities like Michael Jordan and Jackie Chan.
• 🇹🇼 The drink was invented in 1987 by Taiwanese teashop owner Liu Han-Chieh, who was inspired by iced milk tea in Japan.
• 🍮 Tapioca balls are the signature ingredient of bubble tea, making it unique and chewy.
• 🔥 The phrase 'spread like wildfire' is used to describe the rapid popularity growth of bubble tea.
• 🔮 The success of bubble tea is considered a 'miracle' by its inventor due to its unexpected and widespread popularity.
• 📊 Despite the rising popularity of coffee, around 59% of Brits still regularly drink tea.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the 6 Minute English episode described in the transcript?

The main topic of the episode is bubble tea, an exciting drink that combines tea with milk, crushed ice, and chewy tapioca balls.

What is the significance of the term 'cuppa' in British English?

In British English, 'cuppa' is an informal term for a cup of tea.

Which beverages does Beth mention she drinks during different times of the day?

Beth mentions drinking English breakfast tea in the morning, matcha tea at lunch, and a calming herbal tea before bed.

What is the estimated proportion of Brits who still regularly drink tea according to the consumer surveys?

According to the consumer surveys, around 59% of Brits still regularly drink tea.

What is the origin of bubble tea, and who is credited with its invention?

Bubble tea was invented in 1987 by Lin Hsiu Hui in Taiwan.

Outlines

00:00

☕️ Introduction and Preferences

Neil and Beth introduce the topic of the program '6 Minute English' from BBC Learning English. They discuss their personal preferences for tea and coffee, with Neil preferring coffee and Beth being a tea enthusiast. They also mention that today's topic will be about the exciting drink called bubble tea and that they will learn some new vocabulary.

05:02

❓ A Question on Tea Drinking Habits

Beth asks Neil a question about the proportion of Brits who still regularly drink tea despite the popularity of coffee. Neil guesses that 49% of Brits still drink tea regularly. Beth will reveal the answer later in the program.

🍵 The Evolution of Tea Drinking

The hosts discuss how tea drinking has evolved in Britain, with new trends such as iced tea and matcha tea becoming popular. They introduce pearl milk tea, also known as bubble tea, and provide a brief explanation from Ben Henderson of BBC World Service's 'Witness History' program about what bubble tea is.

🥤 The Invention of Bubble Tea

The origin of bubble tea is explained, noting that it was invented by Taiwanese teashop owner Liu Han-Chieh in 1987. The 'bubbles' are made from tapioca balls, giving the drink its name. The segment emphasizes the unique and innovative nature of bubble tea.

🌍 Global Spread and Popularity

Liu Han-Chieh's invention gained international popularity, partly due to celebrity endorsements from figures like Michael Jordan and Jackie Chan. The popularity of bubble tea spread rapidly around the world, becoming a trendy beverage in many countries.

📈 Bubble Tea's Impact and Popularity

The spread of bubble tea is described as a revolution in the tea-drinking world, with its smooth, chewy taste captivating many. Liu Han-Chieh describes the rapid spread of bubble tea as a miracle, fueled by media coverage and celebrity influence.

🇬🇧 Tea vs. Coffee in Britain

Beth reveals that 59% of Brits still regularly drink tea, contrary to Neil's guess. They reflect on the potential for a bubble tea revolution in Britain. The hosts then recap the vocabulary learned in the program, including terms like 'cuppa,' 'signature,' 'chewy,' 'innovative,' 'spread like wildfire,' and 'miracle.' They conclude the show, inviting listeners to join again next time.

Keywords

💡Tea

Tea is a popular beverage made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. In the script, tea is central to the discussion, highlighting its historical significance and modern trends. The script mentions various types of tea, such as English breakfast tea, matcha, and herbal tea, indicating the diversity within this category. Tea is also contrasted with coffee, showing its continued popularity despite the rise of coffee consumption.

💡Coffee

Coffee is a widely consumed beverage made from roasted coffee beans. The script notes that British supermarkets sell almost twice as much coffee as tea, reflecting a shift in consumer preference. However, it also points out that a majority of Brits still prefer tea, suggesting a balanced preference between the two beverages.

💡Cuppa

The term 'cuppa' is an informal British English expression for a cup of tea. It encapsulates the cultural significance of tea in the UK. The script uses this term to introduce the topic and to emphasize the everyday nature of tea drinking in British life.

💡Bubble Tea

Bubble tea, also known as pearl milk tea, is a modern tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan. It is characterized by the addition of chewy tapioca balls and can be flavored in various ways. The script discusses the invention of bubble tea by Liu Han-Chieh in 1987, highlighting its innovative nature and global popularity.

💡Tapioca

Tapioca is a starch extracted from the cassava root, used in various food products. In the context of the script, tapioca balls are the signature ingredient of bubble tea, providing a unique texture. The script explains that the 'bubbles' in bubble tea refer to these tapioca balls, which are chewy and require significant chewing before swallowing.

💡Signature

The term 'signature' in the script refers to a special feature or characteristic that is particularly known for something. It is used to describe the tapioca balls in bubble tea, which are its defining element. The script also uses the term to illustrate the concept of something being uniquely associated with a particular place or culture, such as paella with Spain.

💡Innovative

Innovative is an adjective used to describe something that is new and original. The script applies this term to bubble tea, emphasizing its novelty and the creativity involved in its creation. The innovative aspect of bubble tea is highlighted through its unique combination of flavors and textures.

💡Spread Like Wildfire

The idiom 'spread like wildfire' is used in the script to describe something that becomes quickly known by many people. It is used to illustrate the rapid global spread of bubble tea, which gained popularity due to its unique taste and celebrity endorsements.

💡Matcha

Matcha is a type of powdered green tea that is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies. The script mentions matcha tea as one of the types of tea that Beth prefers, indicating its popularity and the trend towards green tea in modern tea culture.

💡Herbal Tea

Herbal tea is a type of tea made from various plants and herbs, rather than the traditional tea plant. The script mentions calming herbal tea as a choice for before bed, highlighting its role in relaxation and the variety of teas available for different purposes.

💡Miracle

A miracle is described in the script as a very lucky event that is surprising and unexpected. The term is used to describe the unexpected success of bubble tea, emphasizing the serendipitous nature of its global popularity.

Highlights

Neil and Beth discuss tea and coffee preferences, introducing the topic of bubble tea.

Beth is a tea drinker, preferring English breakfast tea, matcha, and herbal tea at different times of the day.

Neil guesses that 49% of Brits still regularly drink tea, setting up a question about tea consumption in the UK.

British supermarkets sell almost twice as much coffee as tea, indicating a preference for coffee among Brits.

Traditional tea drinking in Britain has evolved with new trends like iced tea and green matcha tea.

The traditional English cuppa is described as black tea with a splash of milk.

Pearl milk tea, also known as bubble tea, is a new trend in tea drinking.

Bubble tea is a mix of tea, milk, crushed ice, and chewy tapioca balls.

Tapioca balls are the signature ingredient of bubble tea, giving it its name.

Different flavors can be added to bubble tea due to the neutral taste of tapioca.

Bubble tea

Transcripts

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from

BBC Learning English. I'm Neil.

And I'm Beth.

Are you a tea or coffee drinker, Neil?

Well, I usually drink a cup of coffee in the morning.

How about you, Beth?

I'm definitely a tea drinker.

There's nothing like a good cuppa to start the day.

Yes, a cuppa -

it's a word in British English meaning a cup of tea, right?

But there are many different types of tea, which tea

do you like?

Well, I usually drink English breakfast tea in the morning and then a matcha

tea at lunch and then maybe a calming herbal tea before bed.

Wow! It sounds like you're a real tea addict, Beth,

so you'll love this programme because we are discussing

an exciting drink called bubble tea. And, as usual,

we'll be learning some useful new vocabulary as well.

Great. But first, I have a question for you, Neil.

Today, British supermarkets sell almost twice as much coffee as

tea and consumer surveys have found that a majority of Brits

prefer drinking coffee.

So, what proportion of Brits do you think, still regularly drink tea.

Is it a) 39%,

b) 49% or c) 59%?

Well, let me think about that. I'm going to say b) 49%.

OK Neil. I will reveal the answer at the end of the programme.

People have been drinking tea for centuries,

but that doesn't mean, tea drinking hasn't changed over the years. Here

in Britain, new trends such as iced tea and green matcha tea

have become as popular as the traditional English cuppa

which, as everyone knows, is black tea with a splash of milk.

One of the latest tea trends is pearl milk tea,

also called bubble tea,

but if you've never heard of it, don't worry -

here's presenter Ben Henderson,

explaining more for BBC

World Service programme 'Witness history':

For those who don't know,

pearl milk tea or bubble tea is tea usually mixed with milk,

crushed ice and filled with its signature

chewy tapioca balls. But customers can then add whatever flavours

they want. It's innovative and exciting.

Pearl milk tea or bubble tea as it's often called,

was invented in 1987 by Taiwanese teashop owner, Liu

Han-Chieh. The 'bubbles' in a glass of bubble tea are made from balls

of a chewy starch called tapioca. Food which is chewy needs

to be chewed a lot before it becomes soft enough to swallow.

It's these tapioca balls which give bubble tea its name.

You might say they're bubble tea's signature ingredient -

They're a special feature

for which something is particularly known. For example,

paella is the signature dish of Spain.

What's more, because tapioca doesn't have a strong taste,

different flavours can be added,

making bubble tea an innovative, meaning new and original, drink.

Liu Han-Chieh's invention was inspired by a trip to Japan,

where he saw people enjoy an iced milk tea on a hot summer's day.

When he added tapioca balls, which he found in a local market

on his return to Taiwan, the bubbly new beverage was born.

But it was only when famous international celebrities,

including basketball player Michael Jordan and movie star Jackie Chan

started visiting his tea shop that Liu Han-Chieh's

bubble tea began a revolution in the tea-drinking world. Here is Liu Han-Chieh

telling more to BBC World Service Programme

'Witness History':

Pearl milk tea got huge media coverage and it spread like wildfire.

But I always say we have many other products and the reason pearl milk

tea became so popular was pure luck. It was a miracle.

Thanks to its celebrity fans,

Liu Han Chieh's

bubble tea became an international bestseller and news

of his exciting new drink spread like wildfire - an idiom meaning

it became quickly known by many people. As more and more people tried it

and fell in love with its smooth chewy taste,

bubble tea spread to neighbouring countries like South Korea and China

and then to the rest of the world. For Liu Han-Chieh,

it was a miracle -

a very lucky event that is surprising and unexpected.

It's great to hear about something that gives a modern twist to a drink

that's part of a country's traditional culture.

Maybe that's what we need here in Britain, too.

Yes, your question was about the fact

that nowadays more people in Britain prefer coffee than tea.

I think it is time you revealed the answer.

Right, I asked you what percent of Brits still regularly prefer drinking tea

over coffee and you said 49%, which was... the wrong answer

I'm afraid, Neil!

In fact, around 59% of Brits still regularly drink tea.

Maybe it's time for a bubble

tea revolution over here.

OK, let's recap the vocabulary

we've learnt in this programme, starting with cuppa -

an informal word in British English for a cup of tea.

The word signature describes a special feature

for which something is particularly known.

It's chewy - it needs to be chewed a lot before it soft enough to swallow.

The adjective 'innovative' means new and original.

If something spreads like wildfire,

it becomes quickly known by more and more people.

And finally, a miracle is a very lucky event that is surprising and unexpected.

Once again, our six minutes are up

but remember to join us again next time

for more topical discussion and useful vocabulary here at 6 Minute

English. Goodbye for now.

Bye!