Masuk Free Press

I have always enjoyed boba. So when I heard a new place was opening in Trumbull, I knew I had to try it as soon as possible.

I arrived at the Trumbull Mall, excited to test out the new spot and ready to drop $8 on a drink. I first looked in the food court, expecting the shop to be there. I had to walk around the entire mall to find it before finally finding it on the left of the Cheesecake Factory.

Upon entering, I saw that Black Pearl Bubble Tea was a well-decorated cafe with music playing; a perfect setting for study sessions or hangouts with your friends after a long day of shopping. When I walked up to the register, I was greeted by a fellow Masuk senior, Gianna Petilo. I ordered five drinks: Original Pearl Milk Tea, Oreo Boba, Coffee Boba, Tropical Paradise and Strawberry Cheesecake. After paying about $40 in total, it was time to determine whether this place would live up to my expectations.

Below are the drinks I tasted, listed in the order of my least favorite to favorite.

5.  Strawberry Cheesecake

To start off, my least favorite was a drink that I had ordered with high hopes. It unfortunately did not live up to my expectations. This is not to steer anyone away from ordering the strawberry cheesecake drink; I would absolutely recommend it to people who enjoy strawberry milkshakes. The first things I noticed were its thick texture and sweet flavor, both of which reminded me of a milkshake. The lack of tapioca pearls were the cherry on top of this disappointment of a boba-milkshake concoction.

4. Coffee

This drink lived up to its name with a very strong coffee and chocolate flavor, similar to a mocha drink. It tasted exactly like a latte, with a smooth texture and not too much sweetness. I would recommend this to coffee drinkers, especially those who like a more noticeable coffee flavor. However, it did not take my breath away as much as some of the others did, so the coffee boba only earned fourth place on my list.

3. Oreo

I was impressed by the Oreo boba, which perfectly resembled an Oreo. As soon as I looked at the drink, its dark and chocolatey appearance, I could already tell that I was going to enjoy it.

I found that it was exactly what I was expecting: an Oreo in liquid form. The only criticism I have for the Oreo boba is the texture. Although its rough texture reminded me of an Oreo cookie, it was not as enjoyable to drink as some of the smoother ones.

2. Original

The Original bubble tea is what I picture when I think of bubble tea.

It was the first drink I tried, and it was the perfect drink to ease me into the taste-testing adventure. Its light appearance, smooth texture and strong flavor made it my second favorite. It was a classic drink, with a familiar flavor and appearance. After trying all the other drinks, I found that its boba flavor was the most pronounced.

1. Tropical Paradise

My favorite out of the lineup was definitely the Tropical Paradise. First of all, it was stunning. It featured vibrant layers, which encapsulated the tropical vibe.

While it did not have tapioca pearls, the chunks of fruit more than made up for it. After stirring, the sweetness and fruity flavor became more prominent, making it a delicious and delightful addition to the lineup. I will definitely be ordering this again, and I encourage everyone who goes to Black Pearl Bubble Tea to try this drink.

This experience has not only given me a new favorite destination, but it has also solidified my love for boba. Each of the drinks that I tried at Black Pearl Bubble Tea was divine in its own way, and they were made by a 17-year-old fellow Masuk Student. Whether you want a milkshake or a coffee drink or a classic boba, Black Pearl Bubble Tea is the place to go.