I went to try Bubble CiTea in Watford’s atria shopping centre to see what the bubble tea craze is all about.

The chain opened its 47th shop in the Upper Mall between Sports Direct and Juice Bars Fuel in November 2023.

It joins Bubble King, Yi Fang and Bubbleology as one of many stalls that have popped up around the town centre serving the Taiwanese drink in recent years.

Now, I usually have my tea without bubbles, and preferably in a mug, so I went down to see what all the fuss was about. 

As a complete novice, the staff recommended I try the 'Dirty Milk Tea', which is inspired by the original drink first served by the inventor of bubble or 'boba' tea, Liu Han-Chieh, in the 1980s.

Watford Observer: Bubble CiTea open in atria Watford last November.Bubble CiTea open in atria Watford last November. (Image: Newsquest)

The cup is lined with brown sugar syrup, filled with black tea and dark tapioca balls, and then topped with milk.

The visual effect of the brown sweet syrup mixing with the milk tea is what gives it the “dirty” name.

The mouth of the cup is sealed with plastic and you’re invited to stab your extra-wide straw through the seal.

Watford Observer: The classic bubble tea is called Dirty Milk Tea.The classic bubble tea is called Dirty Milk Tea. (Image: Newsquest)

On the first taste, the tea had a pleasant milky, sweet flavour, with dark, rich notes from the brown sugar syrup.

I chose to have some ice in mine, but as it was a brisk January day, so next time I would advise having it served hot like the original 1980s version.

On the other hand, the feeling of sucking up the tapioca pearls was not something I had prepared for.

Watford Observer: Drinking the chewy tapioca pearls can be an odd feeling if you're not expecting it.Drinking the chewy tapioca pearls can be an odd feeling if you're not expecting it. (Image: Newsquest)

If you haven’t tried it before, it can be disconcerting to drink tea through a straw and suddenly swallow a chewy ball. 

But once you get used to the feeling, the soft and sticky balls add another layer of deep brown sugar flavour to the drink. 

Watford Observer: The fruity popping-pearls and jelly chunks are popular with kids, according to the staff.The fruity popping-pearls and jelly chunks are popular with kids, according to the staff. (Image: Newsquest)

If you really want to push the boat out, you can also top your tea with aloe vera pieces, jelly chunks, or a range of exploding fruit-flavoured bubbles.

The bubble tea trend has exploded in the UK in recent years and there are now seven different options in Watford town centre alone.

While it’s a different way for English people to enjoy their tea, and you should give it a try if you haven't already, I think for the moment I will stick to PG Tips.