“I'm so passionate about bubble tea,” says Snow Li, owner of Yobo Cafe and a soon-to-be graduate of Lehigh University. The café is a full-on passion project for this senior, who started the business in the fall of 2017 with another Lehigh student. She says the majority of customers are fellow Lehigh classmates, admitting that the summers can get a little slow without a semester full of students within walking distance, but anyone who appreciates bubble tea—or is interested in giving it a try—is more than welcome to come hang out in this cozy spot!
Li says the drink is super popular in China, but when she learned how many calories, trans fats and artificial ingredients are typically used, she wanted to create her own healthier recipes. At Yobo Cafe, they use honey instead of sugar or syrup, real tea (many imported from China) and real milk instead of powders. The drink can be made lactose-free, with almond or soy milk. And, of course, the “boba” at the bottom of the teas are boiled balls of tapioca. Ask for a layer of milk foam, made from cream cheese, at the top of your tea for the perfect mix of sweet and salty.
The most popular bubble tea Yobo serves is the “Brown & White,” representing Lehigh University school spirit, but the flavor combinations are endless.
The Purple Taro, pictured here, is made with real taro roots and is a house special, meaning Li personally developed the recipe with her team. At the time of press, they were about to launch a brown sugar creation and were also developing their own spin on Harry Potter's famous butter beer.
Hungry for more? Order the Hong Kong Egg Waffle, layered with the ice cream, syrup and toppings of your choice!
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