By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
I scream, you scream, we all scream … for bubble tea?
You read that right. Kung Fu Tea has just announced a strategic licensing agreement with Secret Creamery to bring ‘boba’ to the ice cream aisle. This collaboration, brokered by Cronus Global, comes just in time to cool off during this record breaking summer.
If you’re not familiar with bubble tea, it’s a unique Taiwanese drink that mixes tea with milk and fruit and is topped off with chewy tapioca balls. The beverage has exploded in global popularity across the globe over the past decade or so. In my own home town of Vancouver, with its large population of immigrants from Taiwan and China, bubble tea has been a popular beverage for at least 30 years.
Kung Fu Tea, which was founded in Queens, NY in 2010, is the largest purveyor of bubble tea, aka boba, in North America.
The company found its ideal ice cream partner in Secret Creamery, which takes a similar approach to its products.
Las Vegas-based Secret Creamery is renowned for its handcrafted approach to ice cream products, blending unique flavors with premium ingredients to create small-batch delicacies that often sell out within weeks of production.
Now, the high-end ice cream maker is working with Kung Fu Tea to bring its newest gourmet ice cream line to a freezer near you.
TLL Interview: Brand Central Eating up the Competition in Food & Beverage Licensing
“Secret Creamery has a strong reputation for its dedication to quality and passion for unique flavor combinations. They’re the perfect licensing partner as we look to bring our much-loved boba flavors to new and exciting formats modeled after our handcrafted drinks,” said Matt Poveromo, Marketing Manager for Kung Fu Tea.
Launch Flavors announced by the partners include six new flavors:
- Kung Fu Milk Tea – This soon-to-be classic perfectly balances the aromatic notes of a milk tea with the rich, creamy texture of ice cream.
- Taro Cookies and Cream – For those looking for something different, buttery Taro is blended with OREO® chunks for a rich, decadent dessert.
- Thai Tea with Mochi bits – An earthy, sweet Thai tea flavor with mochi bits mixed in for a sweet treat on a hot summer’s day.
- Red Bean Coconut – This rich red bean and creamy coconut flavor provides a sweet, nutty taste as popularized in Asia.
- Matcha Marshmallow – Nutty, savory matcha swirled with fluffy marshmallows for an uplifting frozen snack.
- Rosehip Yuzu Lemonade – Floral rosehip and tangy yuzu are combined in the perfect lemonade ice cream that is sure to have your tastebuds bouncing.
Pre-orders for these new flavors will be available on Secret Creamery’s website beginning July 21 to coincide with National Ice Cream Day. (Shouldn’t that be a national holiday? Just sayin’) Starting August 25, customers will be able to scoop up their favorite pints at select gourmet grocers, national chains, and Kung Fu Tea’s corporate locations in NYC.
Boat Rocker Signs Deal With Heathside For Orphan Black Merch