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Boba has gained enormous popularity in recent years and continues to be a staple for many college students, including myself. For me, boba is the drink I just keep coming back to because of its delicious comforting taste, unique texture, and different ways to customize based on my mood. Thankfully for me, Los Angeles is home to a multitude of options, including both chains and franchises. One delicious boba option we love here at Spoon UCLA is Latea Lounge! (Address: 3851 Main St, Culver City, CA 90232)
About Latea
Located in Culver City, Latea is 8 miles from UCLA, or a 30-minute bus ride. They have a wide variety of beverages, including bubble tea and iced tea, and snacks as well. Here is an introduction their manager shared with us:
“Latea Bubble Tea Lounge, located in Culver City, CA, has a rich history and an unwavering commitment to tradition. Founded in 2013 by Jack Hsiao in West Lafayette, Indiana, near Purdue University, the original Latea has grown into a family business with four U.S. locations, with Culver City being the only California branch. What sets Latea apart is their handcrafted bobas, rooted in a cherished family recipe passed down from their grandmother, dating back to the early ’80s in Taiwan. Unlike many who rely on imported, pre-made bobas, Latea is dedicated to showcasing their craftsmanship by preparing everything in-house using high-quality ingredients. Inspired by their grandmother’s legacy as a professional catering chef, who valued a family-centric approach to cooking, Latea Culver City strives to ensure that every customer experiences the love and commitment to quality food that has been passed down through generations.”
The Taste Test
Latea has a wide variety of drinks, but I’d like to highlight two of their bestsellers. First is a classic: Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea. This drink is a classic for a reason, and Latea’s is tasty. The house-roasted brown sugar adds sweetness to the drink without overpowering it. It also provides a depth of flavor that goes with the creaminess of the milk. The tea in this drink was also well-balanced and its flavor shone through. Latea’s handcrafted boba though, was one of my favorite parts: its chewy texture was a excellent addition to the creamy, sweet milk tea and I could truly tell it was handmade. I would recommend this drink if you’re looking for a classic milk tea option.
Another one of their classic drinks in the Grapefruit Green Tea. I like fruit teas because they’re so refreshing, and this drink was no exception. The green tea was fresh–there were even actual grapefruit pieces in the drink. The fruit added a great texture to the drink and a tanginess that balanced out its sweetness. The sweetness of the honey boba, earthiness of the green tea, and bittersweetness of the grapefruit blended into a delicious refreshment. I would recommend this drink if you’re looking for a thirst-quenching fruit tea option.
Beyond their expertly crafted drinks, Latea also boasts a spacious and calm study environment. When I went for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised to see how many chairs and tables they had. The decor is clean and sleek. They also have free wifi and lots of outlets, which are essentials for a study spot. My friend and I were able to spend a productive evening there catching up on work!
Latea is also currently doing a Happy Hour promotion every week on Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, where customers can get a Buy One Get One any drink when they participate on social media.
Overall, I would highly recommend giving Latea a visit, for both their handcrafted boba tea drinks and the pleasant study environment!