Taiwan tea entrepreneurs brew up new twist on tradition

TAIPEI: Cheap instant “bubble tea” has become one of Taiwan’s best-known culinary exports – now a new wave of entrepreneurs hopes a high-end modern take on traditional brews will also be sipped worldwide.

Taiwan has been producing tea for more than 200 years and a cup of the island’s famous oolong is obligatory for many visitors, but exports have been knocked by rising labor costs and bubble tea has eclipsed a carefully crafted cuppa.