Here’s the tea: You may not have your go-to extra large milk tea with EXTRA, EXTRA large, chewy, and gooey pearls in the meantime.
Photo: Freepik
An unexpected tapioca pearl shortage in Metro Manila has left both milk tea chains and customers scrambling and feeling more frustrated than ever! But don’t worry—milk tea shops have found a very delicious and creative solution: offering raisins as alternative add-ons!
“Meron po kaming mga customers na hindi na tumutuloy sa order nila kapag nalaman nilang wala na kaming pearls. Kung magtuluy-tuloy itong shortage, baka magkaubusan na rin po kami ng pasensya kakasabi ng ‘Wala na pong pearls, sorry po (We have customers who cancel their orders as soon as they find out we’re out of pearls. If this shortage continues, we might also run out of patience from constantly saying, ‘We’re out of pearls, sorry!’)!'” said one milk tea shop owner.
We were also able to talk with a customer who was devastated by the boba shortage: “Hindi ko na nabibili ‘yung usual order ko na large wintermelon milk with extra pearls. Ang lungkot lang parang relasyon namin, wala nang add-ons (I can’t buy my usual order of large wintermelon milk tea with extra pearls anymore. It’s sad—just like my relationship, no more add-ons).”
With tapioca shipments taking their sweet time (literally), several milk tea shops have started limiting online orders. Meanwhile, some shop owners are offering “free raisin add-ons” with every in-store purchase.
However, milk tea lovers are not taking this any longer! As the popular saying goes, “Milk tea is life, boba is lifer!”
What’s your take on this, milk tea enthusiasts?
Alert! Pearls Rapidly In Low Supply – Frustrated Orderers Outraged, Lines Stalled!
