Gong cha England, the UK-based operator for the Gong cha brand which has 1,500 outlets worldwide, has chosen Liverpool’s city centre as only its second UK location. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool has been chosen as only the second city in the UK to have a retail outlet dedicated to selling the the best-known ‘bubble tea’ brand in the world.
Gong cha England, the UK-based operator for the Gong cha brand, has chosen Liverpool’s Bold Street as its newest location. The first two outlets were opened in Manchester in 2019.
Bubble tea is created by shaking a tea base with the various elements (milk or fruit purees) in a shaker, similar to how you would shake a cocktail. The signature bubbles – usually the Pearls – are then added, though there are many other toppings available.
Originating in Taiwan in the 1980s, the oldest known bubble tea comprised a mixture of hot Taiwanese black tea, tapioca pearls, condensed milk, and syrup or honey. Many variations followed. The most common are served cold rather than hot.
Gong cha was founded in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, a port city similar to Liverpool. It now operates 1,500 outlets across 20 different territories as far reaching as Taiwan, Korea, New Zealand and the US.
Gong cha, translates as ‘tribute tea for the emperor’ and is a bubble tea store offering a wide range of bubble teas consisting of different textures and layers which can be enjoyed with and without milk.
Gong cha’s “Signature Milk Foam” is a tasty topping that can be added to the drinks. Other toppings such as Pearls (otherwise known as “Boba”) or jellies can also be added to give extra flavours and textures.
The interior at 13 Bold Street takes influence from the brand’s traditional Chinese heritage marrying it with an inviting sense of fun to appeal to the European market. Traditional colours, textures and shapes of Asia are brought together by NoChintz Interiors to celebrate the brand’s origins.
Wooden cladding, inspired by the structure of the tea fields is complemented by stools which reference Taiwanese writing styles. The Gong cha team are following Government guidelines on social distancing and will be offering a takeaway service only upon launch.
Justin Liew, head of Gong cha England, said: “The bubble tea trend has gripped Asia, Oceania and the US, where it is considered a Taiwanese speciality. We have selected Bold Street for our next store as we are confident the people of Liverpool, who clearly love to be the first to know about new trends, will help us build the brand.”