Springtime Bloom: Fresh Flavour of Sakura Bubble Tea

The temperatures are slowly climbing, the sun’s peeking out of the clouds a little more each day, and tiny buds are starting to open on the trees. That can only mean one thing: Spring is finally here again. 

And while spring promises several fantastic things (Outdoor activities! Patios! The start of baseball season!), one of the best occasions to look forward to is the annual unveiling of seasonal bubble tea flavours. 

If you’re a bubble tea lover, it’s a magical time of year, as globally loved brands like Chatime announce new, fresh drink creations to herald the season. And this year, Chatime has announced that it will be debuting a new line of Sakura bubble teas.  

What is Sakura? How do brands like Chatime leverage its flavour for delicious bubble tea? And where can you try these seasonal concoctions? In this article, let’s spring into the season by exploring Sakura bubble tea. 

What Is Sakura: Definition, Cultural Significance and Flavour

“Sakura” is the Japanese word for cherry blossoms. They grow on the prunus tree, a variety of ornamental cherry tree that produces no fruit. Pale pink, impossibly fine, and growing in thick clusters on the tree, Sakura flowers look absolutely magical when they finally grace the world for a brief couple of weeks in early spring. 

In Japan, cherry blossoms are a symbol of “mono no aware,” the Japanese concept that everything is fleeting – and that we should experience beauty in the moment. 

As for their flavour, some people (perhaps obviously) liken it to a fresh cherry with its rounded sweetness and tartness. People also pick up hints of vanilla, thanks to the blossoms’ high concentration of coumarin (a compound also present in vanilla). 

Sakura and Bubble Tea: A Match Made in Springtime Heaven 

With its cherry-like sweetness and deep vanilla notes, Sakura flavours are a natural fit for bubble tea. They pair beautifully with flavours like: 

*Peach: Sakura’s natural freshness complements the zippiness of peach juice. 

*Green tea: the subtle floral aromas of Sakura match the complexities of green tea. 

*Lychee juice: Lychee has a kind of citrusy, watermelon-y thing going for it, which amplifies the fresh flavours and aromas of Sakura. 

This is just the tip of the cherry tree in terms of flavour pairings. The well-rounded floral notes complement several other traditional bubble tea flavours, too. 

How and Where to Try Sakura Bubble Tea

True to the Japanese concept of mono no aware, all beautiful things are fleeting. And that’s no different of Sakura bubble tea, which graces the Chatime menu for a short time during the spring. You can try it at locations like Chatime Toronto in  Cliffcrest (on Kingston Road in Scarborough), or elsewhere in Ontario and BC. 

When you walk into the shop, ask the “tearistas” for information on the latest Sakura offerings, and inquire about the macaron combo deal: For a limited time, you can purchase a large sakura drink and any macaron of your choice for $9. Similarly, you can check out the Chatime website to see what’s on offer this spring. 

Hopefully, this article has given you all the information you need to seize the season and try a Sakura bubble tea!