Chinatown in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Hanlin Tea Restaurant / 翰林茶館
Since 1986
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 11, 2021
1. Hanlin Tea Restaurant / 翰林茶館 Marker
Hanlin founded the first tea house in 1986, and then created the "Pearl Milk Tea"
becoming fashionable in the world. owes its style to nature, culture, and Zen,
while constantly making an effort to enhance the quality of tea. To create an
environment that keeps on track with the beat of the modern-day world while
leading the tea drinking culture, Hanlin maintains a simple, elegant, bright, and
energetic ambiance. Nowadays, teahouses have become common scene on the
street, and a major part of people's recreational and dining experiences.
Erected by Hanlin Tea Restaurant.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1986.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of the Jenny Lind Theatre and San Francisco City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Portsmouth Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Raising of the American Flag (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Smith Hallidie (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the First Public School in California (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Legacy of Preserving Fish (about 300 feet away); Site of San Francisco’s First Book Store (about 300 feet away); California Star (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
Regarding Hanlin Tea Restaurant / 翰林茶館. For clarity's sake, a better rendering of the first English sentence on the marker would indicate that Hanlin established its first tea house in 1986 - Hanlin did not invent the concept of "tea house". More important though, and the marker's central claim, is that Hanlin invented "Pearl Milk Tea", also
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 11, 2021
2. Hanlin Tea Restaurant / 翰林茶館 Marker - wide view, looking across Washington Street
Also, for even more clarity, it should be understood that even if Hanlin's claim of being first is accepted, it was not invented here at this branch of their restaurant chain (which is now actually under different ownership), but rather at their tea house in Taiwan.
Also see . . .
1. Bubble Tea (Wikipedia).
"Bubble tea (also known as pearl milk tea, bubble milk tea, or boba; Chinese: 珍珠奶茶; pinyin: zhēn zhū nǎi chá, 波霸奶茶; bō bà nǎi chá; or 泡泡茶; pào pào chá in Singapore) is a tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. It most commonly consists of tea accompanied by chewy tapioca balls ("boba" or "pearls"), but it can be made with other toppings as well. There is a common misconception that the name "bubble tea" refers to the appearance of the pearls (or boba), but it originates from the appearance of bubbles in the milk and tea blend after it is removed from the shaking machine.(Submitted on July 12, 2021.)
Bubble tea has many varieties and flavors, but the two most popular varieties are black pearl milk tea and green pearl milk tea with tapioca balls at the bottom."
2. How bubble tea, or boba, went global... (South China Morning Post, January 1, 2020). (Submitted on July 12, 2021.)
3. The rise of bubble tea, one of Taiwan's most beloved beverages (CNN, April 29, 2020). Explains what bubble tea is, its origins, and how it became so popular.
On whether Hanlin or Chun Shui Tang were the first to invent bubble tea: "Over the years, the fight for bubble tea supremacy grew heated. A 10-year litigation kicked off in 2009. The fight was finally settled in 2019 with a disappointing but friendly ending.(Submitted on July 12, 2021.)
The court decided that bubble tea was a drink that anyone or shop can make. It is, therefore, unnecessary to debate who created it."
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
