Pioneering the Love for Bubble Tea in Canada: Ten Ren's Tea

Written by fête Chinoise Editorial Team (Kayla Lo, with notes from Deborah Lau-Yu)
Interviewed by Rhonda Lam and Kayla Lo
Images provided by Ten Ren’s Tea

In light of what happened with the Dragons’ Den incident of cultural appropriation of boba, we wanted to shine the spotlight on one of the original bubble tea franchises from Taiwan that opened in Toronto and Canada in the mid-1980s, and one that many readers here might remember as the place they gathered with high school friends, had their first date, hosted a business meeting or simply the place that finally served a drink with Asian fruit flavours that were familiar. What was the flavour of your first bubble tea? Do you remember? Green tea or black tea? Lychee, Mango, Taro, Durian, or Strawberry? Regardless of your first love of the bubble tea menu, if you grew up in the 80s and 90s in the Greater Toronto Area, it was highly likely ordered at Ten Ren's Tea at Market Village, Pacific Mall, Metro Square, or Times Square and Commerce Gate.

We sat down with Ten Ren's Tea General Manager, Monica, to reminisce their journey of bringing their realm of tea culture to Canada, and to celebrate them as pioneers in this space. As immigrants and entrepreneurs, they have been a force in the industry for over 4 decades, and remained true to their roots through their product offerings and retail environments. 

Founded in Taiwan in 1953, Ten Ren’s Tea was one of the first brands to introduce Asian tea traditions to Canadian customers. Specializing in tea retail and manufacturing, their vision has always been to connect with the essence and heritage of tea.

Today, Ten Ren’s Tea serves a broad audience, drawing in tea enthusiasts who appreciate the history and quality of traditional teas, as well as younger generations who are captivated by the modern, customizable bubble tea offerings.

Tea culture holds significant importance in Asian societies, with each variety—be it oolong, green, black, or red tea—offering unique flavours and experiences. Tea represents mindfulness, community, and connection, traditionally enjoyed at Asian homes, social gatherings, and restaurants. In today’s fast-paced world, tea has adapted to become a portable pleasure, much like coffee. One notable evolution of this tradition is bubble tea.

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Originating in Taiwan during the 1980s, bubble tea consists of three core ingredients: tapioca, milk, and tea. Over the years, it has evolved to feature a wide array of flavours, from fruity beverages to various toppings like jellies, puddings, agar, and popping boba, satisfying every palate and transforming bubble tea into a global sensation.

As interest in bubble tea surged in the late 1990s, Ten Ren’s naturally incorporated it into their product lineup in early 1997, staying true to their tea expertise. Monica, Ten Ren’s General Manager, recalls the early days when customers in Canada were unfamiliar with bubble tea, often asking, "What is bubble tea?" and "What is tapioca?" These inquiries created an opportunity for Ten Ren’s to share the essence of bubble tea with their growing customer base. Today, most people are well-acquainted with bubble tea, and Ten Ren’s continues to honour its roots by focusing on quality tea bases in every cup, with a beverage menu that showcases a variety of customization options.

The versatility and inclusiveness of bubble tea has inspired numerous creative innovations and collaborations over the years, all centred around its core.

“The essence of bubble tea lies in the tea itself,” Monica explains. “At Ten Ren’s, our bubble tea offerings always begin with high-quality tea bases.” While the brand continues to innovate and introduce new menu items, they remain committed to what makes bubble tea special: the perfect balance between the tea and other ingredients.

The brand’s guiding principles of being natural, healthy, and authentic continue to shine through as it sources teas and ingredients directly from Taiwan, ensuring all products meet certified health standards. Ten Ren offers packaged loose-leaf teas both in-store and online, with its website providing detailed descriptions of each tea’s origins, aroma, flavour, and brewing instructions, allowing everyone to enjoy the richness of tea at home.

Today, countless bubble tea brands have launched their businesses in Canada. A Quebec-based brand, Bobba, recently sparked conversations about cultural sensitivity and representation when they introduced pre-packaged and alcoholic versions of bubble tea on CBC’s Dragon’s Den. During their presentation, guest dragon and Chinese-Canadian actor Simu Liu raised concerns about the lack of acknowledgment for bubble tea's origins in their branding, as well as the misleading marketing claims surrounding their “healthier” and “unique” product options. The brand also failed to credit their Taiwanese partners, who they claimed collaborated on developing the product, raising questions about potential cultural appropriation.

Monica notes that this incident serves as a reminder for Ten Ren’s of the importance of respecting the heritage behind cultural products like bubble tea. “It’s essential to maintain transparency and honour the traditions behind these offerings,” she shares. This event has reinforced the brand’s commitment to staying true to its roots and the authentic value of its products.

Recognizing the cultural significance and representation that bubble tea embodies, we feel a responsibility to tell its story and proudly highlight businesses that have supported the community in promoting Asian tea culture in Canada over the years. As we continue to spread the essence of this rich culinary tradition, we hope bubble tea will continue to gain popularity while fostering a correct understanding among the public regarding its true essence.

To celebrate bubble tea with us, join our giveaway now for a chance to win a $100 gift card at Ten Ren's Tea! (P.S. They also offer tea fusion meals at their locations—don't miss out!)

Celebrate the Tradition of Boba with us

Win a $100 Gift Card at Ten Ren’s Tea and $100 Fête Chinoise Online Store Credit!
For giveaway details and rules, please refer to Fête Chinoise’s Social Media.

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