On the afternoon of August 1, 2025, the line outside Cupertino’s brand-new HeyTea stretched halfway down the block. Teenagers snapped photos of their cheese foam–topped cups while families compared flavors in Mandarin and English. The flagship store—originally founded in China—is the latest addition to Cupertino’s ever-growing list of boba shops.

Bubble tea, or “boba,” was invented in Taiwan in the 1980s, but Cupertino has turned it into a way of life. The city also claims a notable place in history: it’s home to one of the first boba shops ever to open in the U.S., setting the stage for today’s nationwide bubble tea boom. Luke Tsai of KQED recently observed that in parts of Cupertino, “you can find a boba shop literally on every block,” a statement that captures both the density and visibility of these establishments.

For Cupertino’s largely immigrant and Asian American community, boba shops function as cultural hubs. According to U.S. Census data, as of 2023, 71.7% of Cupertino’s 57,300 residents identify as Asian, and more than half are foreign-born. With its sizable immigrant population, the city has become a launchpad for international tea brands eager to enter the U.S. market. These shops double as study spaces and social media backdrops, thanks to their free Wi-Fi and decorated interiors.

From Tp Tea, Teaspoon, Yifang, Tancha, Happy Lemon, MeetFresh, Wow Tea, and now HeyTea, each store offers its own spin on flavors, branding, and atmosphere. The result is a landscape where plazas can host multiple boba shops in a row, each appealing to different demographics—from teens looking for neon-lit hangouts to families seeking traditional Taiwanese desserts.

For local students, the selection can be overwhelming. “Honestly, I think boba is pretty good and a large part of the culture here, but it’s a little over the top and really expensive,” Cupertino High School student Julia Chinnananchi said. “We don’t have other spots for food and drinks because most of Cupertino is overrun by boba places, and it just keeps getting more pricey.”

Cupertino’s median household income is $231,139—one of the highest in the country. That affluence means most customers don’t blink at paying $6–10 for a cup, and with several high schools nearby, the teen market guarantees steady foot traffic. For international chains, the city offers both visibility and a built-in customer base.

“Opening days were really chaotic,” HeyTea employee Luke Lee said. “It was so busy and packed […] the line went around the store.”

As new chains continue to test the waters, Cupertino offers a glimpse into the future of America’s food scene. Whether the market will plateau or keep expanding remains uncertain, but for now, residents can walk into nearly any plaza and choose from a dizzying array of tea shops.

What’s clear is that bubble tea has cemented itself into Cupertino’s identity. Where other cities boast about their coffee culture, Cupertino’s culture is steeped in tapioca pearls and jasmine milk tea.

This article was written for the Yale Daily News’ 2025 Summer Journalism Program for high school students.