Deep-rooted & different

Tapioca in R City Mall is a colourful kiosk that serves sweet-bubbled teas in seven flavours, each infused with a hint of this root plant. Recommended for the risk-taker

Deep-rooted & different

Tapioca in R City Mall is a colourful kiosk that serves sweet-bubbled teas in seven flavours, each infused with a hint of this root plant. Recommended for the risk-taker

Intrigued by what bubble teas are and what they taste like, we headed to Tapioca inside Ghatkopar's R City Mall. Not your typical sit-down juice bar; instead, it's a small, colourful kiosk on the second floor. The wall beside it sported a display that gave passers-by and the uninitiated an introduction to bubble teas and the seven different flavours they are available in; incidentally, they come with either tapioca or cassava at the
bottom. The owners at this stall claim that Tapioca emerged from a concept borrowed from Taiwan.

Passion Fruit bubble tea

Sufficiently convinced, we chose the Strawberry Bubble Tea and the Honeydew Bubble Tea (Rs 125 for both). A tad expensive we thought, but we hoped this exotic, healthy drink would be worth it. Five minutes later, our drinks arrived, accompanied with unusually huge straws. We were explained that the straw would help suck the pearl-shaped tapiocas that had settled at the base of the plastic glasses. A fancy-looking machine (akin to bright slot machines in Las Vegas) helped add the tapioca and seal the drink. The attendant told us proudly that it had been shipped all the way from Taiwan.

Since there was no seating area in sight, we had to walk a few paces to find a comfortable space to savour our unique drinks. The first sip of the Strawberry Bubble Tea was tasty and refreshing. It tasted a bit like tea with a strong strawberry flavour. The drink was adequately sweet and was served chilled. As we continued sipping, the flavours of tapioca gradually emerged. It was chewy and slightly sweetu00a0-- it was a different experience, unlike that felt while sipping on any other cold beverage. While the Honeydew Bubble Tea didn't score high, the fruity Passion Fruit Bubble Tea won our vote.u00a0 After a while of sampling and testing our palate's limits, we weren't sure if we were in the mood for more risk-taking, particularly with the compulsion of having to chew on something. The task of eating and drinking together didn't appeal any more. Besides one needs to be prepared for a distinct aftertaste that stays in the mouth.

Tapioca
Food: decent
Service: efficient
Ambience: nice
At Second floor, next to Ethnicity, R-City Mall, LBS Marg, Ghatkopar. Call 67755817 Tapioca didn't know we were the there. The Guideu00a0reviews anonymously and pays for meals

What are bubble teas?
Bubble tea is a sweetly flavoured tea beverage, which was invented in Taiwan in the 1980s. It contains a tea base mixed with fruit and/or milk. These teas are usually available in different fruit flavours. The beverage contains small, slightly sweet chewy balls of tapioca, also known as cassava. Tapioca is a starch extracted from the root of the plant species Manihot esculenta. The pellet form called Pearl Tapioca is used in the bubble teas. Tapioca is a major source of carbohydrates and provides energy. It is also easily digestible by the body.