The history of Asian drinks

The world of Asian drinks is an enchanting one, brimming with flavours, textures, and cultural significance – step into any tea shop and you will be dazzled by the flavours and combinations on offer! From the trendy bubble tea to the traditional matcha and from sarasaparilla to matcha, each variety has its unique charm and tells the story of another piece of culture and heritage.

Tea is synonymous with Asian drinks and at Taipec we are proud to offer a wide variety of Asian drinks in the UK. But Asian drinks are more than just tea. In the next section we will take a look at some of the Asian drinks on sale through Taipec, starting off with something a little different.

Asian drinks that Taipec offers

There is a huge variety of Asian drinks on offer here in the UK that Taipec hand picks using our local Taiwanese network of contacts. These include:

Sarsaparilla Drinks

Sarasaparilla is a drink similar in taste to root beer which is made from the roots of the Sarsaparilla plant. Originally from India, this drink is still common across south east asia, often being consumed similar to more traditional teas, as a tasty and refreshing beverage. 

Although not common in the UK, sarsaparilla drinks are growing in popularity and make a welcome and quirky addition to any menu. Sarsaparilla is known for its earthy and slightly sweet flavour profile, and it is often consumed for its purported health benefits, including improving digestion and detoxifying the body.

Milk Tea

Milk tea is somewhat of a cultural icon across South East Asia and is practically synonymous with South East Asian culture. A diverse and adaptable drink that can be enjoyed plain, with sweeteners, or as part of a bubble tea, milky teas blend the rich flavours of tea with the creamy goodness of milk.

Milk tea refers simply to any tea with milk added. Consumed all over the world and a staple of millions of households, milk tea has an enduring quality that will not be fading any time soon.

When it comes to milk tea, Taiwan is undoubtedly a global powerhouse. Renowned for its unique and flavorful variations of this beloved beverage, Taiwan has a rich history intertwined with the development of milk tea. It was in Taiwan that milk teas were first combined with tapioca pearls to create the now ubiquitous bubble tea that the world knows and loves. And this is why Taipec is proud to source our milk teas from Taiwan.

Green Tea

Another tea with a strong heritage and almost universal appeal is green tea. Green tea is famous for its medicinal use and soothing properties. High in antioxidants, green tea is a favourite around the world. In fact, written history of the purported health benefits of green tea goes all the way back to the 13th century!

And it isn’t just milky teas that make a great bubble tea! Green teas work as an excellent base for a bubble tea fan looking for something with a health kick!

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is a traditional South East Asian tea with intricate flavours and rich aromas. Falling somewhere on the taste spectrum between green tea and black tea, it’s unique flavour is due to its preparation. Oolong tea is semi-oxidised and the leaves are often rolled into tight balls or twisted into long, wiry strands, giving the tea a distinct elegance. 

Oolong tea is diverse in flavour with a range spanning from floral and fruity to toasty and nutty, depending on the variety used. Taiwan is renowned for its impressive selection of Oolong teas and the tea has a rich cultural heritage here.

Teas from Taipec

Here at Taipec we are passionate about bringing the best of Taiwan to the UK. And this starts with Tea. We offer a wide range of teas, in every flavour for every occasion. Contact us for all of your Asian drink needs.