Drink something different! The new Pochi Tea Station, located at 7 University Square, introduces “bubble tea” to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus area.
Originating in Taiwan, bubble tea is a combination of a drink and snack conveniently blended for those on the go. This alternative to the traditional smoothie or soda is definitely worth trying.
The menu at the Pochi Tea Station has your choice of hot drinks, flavored milk, teas, fruit juice ($2.80 each) and smoothies ($3.45 each). The extensive list of flavors ranges from chocolate milk to mung bean milk tea to cantaloupe fruit juice to an avocado smoothie. Customers’ favorites at the tea station are peach, passion fruit and chrysanthemum flavored teas.
Not only does Pochi offer an extensive menu of beverages, but it also serves high-quality snacks to accompany the drinks. Crepes, salads and noodles range from $3.99 to $6.95.
I indulged in the Lucifer, a large portion of chocolate and vanilla crepes, doused with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, drizzled with warm chocolate syrup and sprinkled with almond flakes. The contrast between the warm crepe and cold ice cream made the dessert wonderful.
Pochis’ weekend specialty, Chicken Congee ($4.45) is described as chicken porridge. The porridge serves as a full meal and consists of shredded chicken and spices, finished with fried breadsticks.
The Pochi Tea Station offers 73 different flavors of various flavored teas, milks, fruit juices and smoothies. Exotic flavors such as lychee, mung bean, papaya and green mango dominate the menu.
If your taste buds aren’t exactly adventurous, and you enjoy familiar flavors, the menu offers chocolate milk, strawberry fruit juice and apple smoothies. If you have questions about Pochi’s unusual flavor, the friendly staff can definitely help you out.
The interesting part about Pochi’s drinks is that each drink comes with some sort of gooey garnish. You have a choice of adding tapioca pearls, mixed jelly, lychee coconut jelly, strawberry, taro, egg or chocolate pudding.
During my visit, I ordered a red bean smoothie with mixed jellies, green milk tea with tapioca pearls and passion fruit tea with taro (potato root) pudding. Each flavor combination was sweet and enjoyable.
At first taste, however, the gummy jellies and tapioca pearls made my mouth wonder if I was slurping “bubbles” or caviar-embellished tea. I must admit, the slimy texture definitely made my face pucker with surprise. My immediate response was to spit out the cold gooey substance and gag. But, I decided to be adventurous and finish the beverages I ordered.
Annie, a recent first-time customer at Pochi, describes the tapioca pearls “like little alien’s eggs slithering down your throat. I feel like they are going to pop out of the eggs and run around in my stomach.”
Although the tapioca pearls and mixed jellies may resemble juju bees (or Martian eggs, whatever), after a few slurps, I decided the crazy-colored jellies and tapioca pearls were fun, as long as I kept an open mind. However, I couldn’t quite get over the taro pudding in my passion fruit tea. I definitely felt like I was slurping up phlegm-textured goop through my neon straw.
Pochi’s reinterpretation of the traditional teahouse throbs with bright colors and jazz grooves. I was struck with cheerfully modern décor. The plants and simple artwork created a relaxing, fresh ambience. I must admit, however, that the overwhelming lime green walls and the color motif of the store made my eyes cross.
The café is fully equipped with comfortable lime green sofas and lazy chairs so that you can enjoy the refreshingly calm atmosphere. The teahouse is fully stocked with TVs and books to assist in winding down after a hard day at class.
Pochi also encourages friends to challenge each other in a game of cards or table games such as Jenga and Cranium.
Gabriel Lee, Pochi’s manager, claims that customers keep coming back “?because it’s a fun drink! A snack and drink in one with a mixture of different flavors ? once people start accepting it, they get addicted and keep coming back.”
Lee states that the teahouse not only attracts students, but also recently started alluring working professionals during the lunch hour. She reminds the busy customer that anyone can call ahead and pick up their order whenever it is convenient.
If you are in a rush or are an impatient person, I’d recommend this method to place an order since the service is not speedy.
Overall, I would give Pochi a hesitant thumb up. I loved the food I ordered, and the atmosphere was pleasant. But don’t stare too long at the green walls or you might start to imagine yourself trapped in a sour apple Jolly Rancher.
In regards to Pochi’s teas, juices, milks and smoothies, definitely go in to try them. But if you aren’t in the mood for something different and exotic, or you aren’t a fan of swallowing gooey globs of gelatin, don’t go. Keep an open mind, close your eyes and try not to think of alien eggs.
The Pochi Tea Station’s extensive hours allow you to slurp with a study buddy or visit when captivated by late-night weekend munchies. Its hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday, 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
