There is an old Chinese is saying, “Connecting friends with tea.” Tea in Chinese culture is not only a drink but also a medium of communication and exchange. If you are looking for a relaxing afternoon spot that is not a coffee shop but full of unique flavors and sweet treats, the bubble tea and dessert shops near Purdue University will be perfect.
As a longtime sweet tooth, I’ve been exploring the drink and dessert shops on campus and in the surrounding area. Bubble tea originated in Taiwan, has evolved through various modern production methods and has undergone various taste innovations. But it is worth mentioning that several bubble tea shops near the school are not only very authentic but also try to give us fresh experiences.
Bubble tea lounge Latea, located near Wabash Landing, offers drinks centered around bubble tea and offers a seating area. Manager Jack Hsiao has been running the shop for many years in West Lafayette and has always insisted on making bubbles by hand. Hand-made and braised bubbles take about 30 minutes, but most pre-made bubbles on the market can be prepared in about 10-15 minutes. And the milk tea raw materials are imported from Taiwan and Yunnan province, China. Unlike mass produced bubbles, those at Latea are made from tapioca flour, which helps retain the sweetness of the ingredients themselves, rather than syrup to sweeten the bubbles. The green tea used in the shop is roasted in a special way to give it floral notes such as jasmine. Jack said the recipe he uses belonged to his grandmother, and he insists on using it every time.
2. Feng Cha
Another good option is Feng Cha, a milk tea shop that opened last year near Aspire student apartments. The store’s main products are fruit drinks and bubble tea, and new products are constantly introduced. This shop not only boasts an ever-evolving and diverse menu but also attracts customers with its comfortable single sofas and cozy decorations. It provides an ideal gathering spot for guests, whether they are enjoying a peaceful moment alone with a book and bubble tea or having a fun and relaxing time with friends.
3. Tsaocaa
Tsaocca is a bubble tea shop close to campus that is great if you are in a hurry. There are nearly ten kiosks in the store for guests to order at and quickly pick up a cup of bubble milk tea. You can also grab a dessert to go with that tea. Egg waffle, a southern Chinese snack, is the most popular addition to bubble tea. Unlike common waffles, egg waffles are made using a special iron pan with small ball-shaped molds, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft, airy interior, which is how they get their name.
If the above three do not satisfy your taste buds, the last dessert shop may surprise you. Mango Mango Dessert is a national chain. But it has always enjoyed a good reputation and high popularity around Purdue’s campus, especially on weekends, when you can always see two or three friends hanging out. Their menu features an array of mango-based treats, including mango desserts, mango smoothies, flavored crepe cakes, and fresh fruit beverages. According to the marketing manager, all mangoes used to make desserts and drinks in the store are never frozen, which guarantees the freshness of their products and is the key to the store’s secret recipe. Their specialty product is a mango crepe, a dessert made with thin crepes wrapped around fresh mango and cream. Similarly in taste, there are some seasonal desserts like the mochi-mooncake, inspired by the traditional East Asian festival of the moon. These mooncakes come in four inviting flavors: the familiar mango, along with golden lava, taro, and matcha.
Any of these places would warmly welcome you and help you connect with friends over tea. If you want to explore more places in Great Lafayette to get drinks and desserts, please visit our home page Home of Purdue.
Purdue University Student, Keyu Zhu, shares this blog. This blog is part of a series of articles submitted to Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette through a cooperation with a 400-level travel writing class at Purdue University.
