A couple of times a week I drive past this little cafe in a strip mall called "Gossip Tapioca Drinks." I've driven by it so many times thinking, "I wonder what a tapioca drink tastes like," that today, my curiosity got the best of me. The cafe is located in the same building as a vietnamese restaurant. The employee gave me a list of the different types of tapioca drinks they sell- they even show pictures, too! (But these aren't that helpful- they are just plastic cups full of green, brown, white, etc. colored liquid).
After some careful consideration (these drinks are NOT cheap), I chose the White Chocolate Banana Coconut Tapioca drink. I completely expected a smoothie with tapioca the consistency of tapioca pudding... WRONG. This experience was a cultural shock of sorts. The tapioca is actually a tapioca pearl- either black or white colored- and they are the size of a small grape. WEIRD. I tried to keep an open mind; the drink part was actually pretty good. Gossip puts its drinks in plastic cups, then seals the top with a plastic cellophane (similar to Lolly-Cup, a cafe, minus the tapioca pearls, in the same area as Gossip). You then grab an over-sized straw, shove it through the cellophane, and you drink your drink. So at the same time I was drinking the sweet, enjoyable taste of white chocolate, banana and coconut, I kept sucking these weird tapioca pearls into my mouth. The taste is just a "bigger," stronger version of those little beads you get in tapioca pudding. It's extremely chewy, a little slimey; overall a very different cultural drinking experience. But hey, now I can say I have tried and survived a tapioca drink. Can you?
And just in case you are curious, here is some information about tapioca pearls: it comes from a plant called the cassava. It was originally cultivated in South America, but can now be found all over the world. This drink I had is a common drink found in southeast Asia- the Asians make these sweet drinks, and they add the tapioca pearls as a chewy contrast for the "drinking experience." Larger pearls are used for these drinks, instead of the smaller tapioca pearls you find in tapioca pudding. So, if you find yourself in Salt Lake City, on 3300 South and on the west side of the freeway, AND you are feeling adventurous- try a tapioca drink at Gossip. It's definitely a unique treat.
After some careful consideration (these drinks are NOT cheap), I chose the White Chocolate Banana Coconut Tapioca drink. I completely expected a smoothie with tapioca the consistency of tapioca pudding... WRONG. This experience was a cultural shock of sorts. The tapioca is actually a tapioca pearl- either black or white colored- and they are the size of a small grape. WEIRD. I tried to keep an open mind; the drink part was actually pretty good. Gossip puts its drinks in plastic cups, then seals the top with a plastic cellophane (similar to Lolly-Cup, a cafe, minus the tapioca pearls, in the same area as Gossip). You then grab an over-sized straw, shove it through the cellophane, and you drink your drink. So at the same time I was drinking the sweet, enjoyable taste of white chocolate, banana and coconut, I kept sucking these weird tapioca pearls into my mouth. The taste is just a "bigger," stronger version of those little beads you get in tapioca pudding. It's extremely chewy, a little slimey; overall a very different cultural drinking experience. But hey, now I can say I have tried and survived a tapioca drink. Can you?
And just in case you are curious, here is some information about tapioca pearls: it comes from a plant called the cassava. It was originally cultivated in South America, but can now be found all over the world. This drink I had is a common drink found in southeast Asia- the Asians make these sweet drinks, and they add the tapioca pearls as a chewy contrast for the "drinking experience." Larger pearls are used for these drinks, instead of the smaller tapioca pearls you find in tapioca pudding. So, if you find yourself in Salt Lake City, on 3300 South and on the west side of the freeway, AND you are feeling adventurous- try a tapioca drink at Gossip. It's definitely a unique treat.
4 comments:
Jen I think I live some adventures through you. 1) Stu would never let me spend money on a drink! 2) He would never let me spend money on a Tapioca drink just to cure my curiosity! And 3 He would never let me spend money to drive out there to buy a drink. So maybe some day He will and we shall got here and buy us a drink!!! sounds like a funky drink to try.
HA HA! I love those stupid things. There is a place right by my college where I go and snatch one up before every class. Don't keep drinking them. You'll be an addict!
doesn't lolly cup still sell the tapioca balls? I used to go out there to lolly cup with my friend steve all time in high school. I love them - yummy little treat. I'm just like you - have to buy a little treat everywhere i go.
Looks interesting! I love you commentary ~ you really do have a great way of describing things!
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