Although many brands of the Taiwan treat have infiltrated themselves into different cities throughout the UK, Tea 4 U’s new bubble tea store is a first for the town of Reading.  

As a Bubble Tea virgin, I was interested in trying one of the unusual concoctions for the first time, especially with such an emotional back story behind the owners of the Reading shop.

Due to the bubble tea shop being in a central location within the town, for a lot of people who haven’t yet tried it, curiosity will be its biggest advantage.

READ MORE: Mum opens Reading T4 bubble tea shop with 'unbelievable' story

From the second I stepped through their glass doors, I received excellent customer service. Having no idea which flavour I would prefer; I was recommended the most popular flavour on the menu – the Pearl Milk Tea.

A sample of the tapioca balls before hand was unlike any flavour I have yet to experience. The Pearl Milk flavour is a concoction of earl grey black tea, milk, sugar and ice.

Not wanting to try it on the go, I found somewhere to sit before I started sampling my first taste. Unbeknownst to me, this was when the hard part came in.

The first challenge was finding a way to pierce a paper stray through a firm paper lid without spilling the entire thing.

For me, this didn’t go as well as I hoped. I ended up with an explosion of Bubble Tea and covered in the sweet milky concoction.

I’m hoping that was just my clumsiness and not a common problem among consumers!

Once I managed to get the straw through the lid, the flavours were unlike anything I had ever tasted. Because the straw is so large, as you sip, the pearls shoot up with the tea which then can be chewed or swallowed.

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However, it is advised that you chew them alongside the drink instead of swallowing them whole.

The ice gave what would otherwise have been a very sickening drink a refreshing taste that was easy to drink.

Because new batches of tea are made every four hours, everything is fresh and made with ingredients imported from Taiwan.

Other flavours included Lychee, Pearl Mint Tea and even Strawberry Milkshake.

Fruit tea is also available for anyone who isn’t keen on milk, lactose intolerant or vegan.

The shop was opened this week by a 38 year-year old mum of two who after an accident in 2021 was left bed-bound.

With determination and the help of her family she was back on her feet and opening Tea 4 U in Reading high street.