Bubble tea has become a popular drink, particularly among younger adults of the Gen Z demographic. For those unfamiliar with the concept, it is a drink traditionally made with tea, milk, sweeteners and small tapioca balls called boba.

For that reason, the drink which originates from Taiwan is sometimes referred to as boba tea. The small balls, which are made from a starch called tapioca, are placed in the tea for added texture and flavour, sinking to the bottom.

As I strolled along Lichfield Street in Wolverhampton on an afternoon recently, I wasn’t expecting to be savouring the drink for the first time. But I felt I had no choice when No.9 Bubble Tea was offering people free samples while walking past.

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The tray of drinks looked like an array of shots you might find during a night out at Pop World or Gorgeous in the city. However, it was in fact two flavours that were being offered – one blue (taro milk) and one orange (peach and lychee).

“Try them both,” shop-worker Anna insisted. But which one should I pick first? Anna recommended the blue one.

Inside No.9 Bubble Tea
Inside No.9 Bubble Tea

I could see why they called it a milk tea. As soon as I sipped it, I got a sweet milky flavour and the chewy boba balls gave it an edible-like texture and made it more weighty. It was delicious and creamy.

Next up was the peach and lychee fruit tea. The emphasis on this one was being fruity (no surprise here) rather than milky. It tasted very sweet (as you’d expect) and the bubbles felt more light on this one, popping quicker in my mouth with no need for chewing.

Both bubble teas were delicious but if I had to pick a winner, it would be the taro milk tea. I’ll make sure to order a large one the next time I’m passing by.

No.9 Bubble Tea, which was established in 2023, offers a selection of milk bubble teas, iced fruit teas, bubble waffles, milkshakes, slushies and brown sugar milk tea. You can follow them on Instagram and Facebook.