Starbucks Hojicha

Starbucks lauched two new drinks this summer to stay competitive with Taiwan pearl tea business - Greentea with Red Bean and Hojicha with Earl Grey Jelly. Although Starbucks defends fiercely that it is not trying to imitate bubble milk tea, but one taste of it and customers couldn't agree more that it IS pearl milk tea!

At S$8.00 a serving for grande size, it is 3 times more than the Taiwanese version. Tastewise it has nothing special, except carrying the Starbucks logo.

What starbucks can compete is the environment, but still doesn't justify to pay 3 times more to drink bubble milk tea like beverage at Starbucks. Unless you absolutely need a place to chill and read a book.