INTRO
Old people have coffee, Gen Z has boba. New boba places are popping up everywhere and with so many options, it’s hard to know which to choose. Fortunately, we have compiled a review of boba places based on quality, aesthetic, and location in proximity to Trinity.
HI TEA
Unfortunately, every list must have a last place. And, if Hi Tea were looking to re-theme, perhaps a better title would be “Hi Tea, Low Quality.” Hi Tea’s boba offerings are so full of sweetness and sugar that they make actually finishing the drink an impossible task. Not that you would want to, anyway, since the drinks are on the pricier side, the location is difficult to return from and the shop itself is gray and dim.
On the store’s website, the About Us section states that “Hi Tea’s intention is not to make only revenue but also to make sure we have a healthy margin always.” If that slogan sounds vaguely computer-generated, it’s only fitting for a boba shop devoid of passion.
MOGE TEE
In proximity to Trinity, Moge Tee is by far the worst of the shops reviewed. Moge Tee is located 21 miles from Trinity via a 20 minute drive on the highway. Its location just across the street from Lake Highland Preparatory School make it impossible to visit during a free period or lunch break.
In fact, we only considered it due to high recommendations- recommendations that, unfortunately, did not meet reality. Even if Moge Tea was within walking distance of Trinity, it would still not be worth visiting.
Mogee Tea features an iconic cup shaped like a bear for some of its drink and an aesthetic assuredly Instagram worthy. However, Mogee Tee fell short. Their take of a staple drink, brown sugar milk tea, had little flavor and tapioca pearls that were hard instead of their typical soft chewy consistency. Their fruit teas also feature jelly boba of a similarly bad texture.
SHAKA SHAKA
Shaka Shaka Tea is, in every sense of the word, fine. The location is relatively, just a short drive away. The aesthetics are adequate, with a few sets of connect-4’s to play with while you wait for a perfectly normal-looking drink. And the boba is, above all, okay. It doesn’t have the overwhelming sweetness of other locations, but also lacks the richness and flavor that would make you want to return.
Shaka Shaka does have some things in its favor- it is relatively cheap compared to other places, and offers a wide variety of drinks, with the fruit drinks in particular being some of our favorites. However, when it comes to a classic boba, perhaps Shaka Shaka’s biggest sin is the tapioca itself, which contains a texture that coats the tongue in unpleasantness for hours after drinking. Aim higher.
SHEN
Shen Tea is the realistic goal that every boba shop should aim for- not perfect, but consistent. The shop is likely the closest to Trinity, and it’s adorable pink-and-fluffy aesthetic is wonderful. And while the relatively limited boba options never amaze, they also never disappoint. For a boba search plagued by inconsistency and disappointments, the joy of having a close, reliable option cannot be overstated.
FROSTY FOX
Finally, first place. Frosty Fox features multiple locations. Two of which were visited for this review. Frosty’s Oviedo location is slightly closer to Trinity at a 15-16 minute drive on most days while its Baldwin location ranges around a 19-20 minute drive. Both locations feature a clean modern aesthetic and the same menu options. Notably, Frosty Fox’s menu features the “Puffle” which is a fluffy waffle served with soft serve ice cream and dessert toppings.
