Social lubricant

Beyond taste and affordability, the group also pointed to the role Chinese tea beverage shops play in everyday cultural exchanges. In many ways, these brands have become part of everyday life, offering familiarity and choice to a generation already shaped by global tastes rather than explicitly presenting "Chinese culture".

"I think it's definitely good for cultural exchange. People get to see a glimpse of diversity and different cultures," Ishtiyaq Shajahan said.

Analysts said the growth of the Chinese tea drink market has been driven in part by younger consumers.

An article in the Michigan Journal of Economics noted that in the US, where multicultural food traditions are widely embraced, boba tea has gained popularity as an alternative to coffee, particularly among younger consumers.

Industry data points to similar trends. A 2021 CLSA consumer survey found that 94 percent of adults age 20 to 29 had purchased bubble tea in the previous three months.

Aqib Shajahan said shifting consumer preferences have created space for international brands.

"Right now, people just want a change of pace, you know, they want more diversity, more variety, more options," he said, adding more US consumers are trying to branch out into "different international things".