Tea lovers rejoice - a new shop specialising in world-renowned Taiwanese Bubble tea has opened its doors in Chester city centre.

A craze that’s taking the globe by storm, Bubble tea, an Asian specialty drink containing flavoured tea and tapioca balls, has been popular in the Far East since the 1980s and can be served hot or cold, milky or fruity, drink in or take out.

Outlets serving the drink have popped up in various cities across the country, and Chester is no exception now that the Bloop Bubble Tea cafe on Frodsham Street has opened.

Cestrians try out Bubble tea

Young entrepreuneur Kala Krishnan is the woman behind the new shop, and said she is ‘excited’ to bring the Bubble tea concept to Chester.

“Bubble tea has been a best seller in Asia since the 1980s and is now becoming so in the UK,” she said. “In particular, tourists are seeking out the shop and visitors love the combination of flavours and textures possible with the teas.

“I’m really pleased and proud to be able to bring the concept to Chester and I have plans for Bangor and Blackpool too. It is a brilliant alternative to the coffee shops here. It should really shake things up, literally!”

Bubble tea comes in more than than 30 flavours and is available in endless combinations such as blueberry and grape and mango and coconut.

It contains antioxidants, fibres and polyphenols for health benefits and also comes in traditional flavours like matcha green tea with tapioca ‘bubbles’. The teas can be dairy free, non-gelatine and suitable for vegetarians too.