Under the motto, "Providing quality tea that captivates all people ", Ten Ren Tea & Ginseng Company has been introducing tea from China and Taiwan to the people of America. "Ten Ren" in Chinese means "as if rising to Heaven". The tea, which tastes as good as the name suggests, is loved by not only people of Asian descent, but also other New Yorkers who know the appeal of tea.

Beyond its locations in Chinese neighborhoods of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, Ten Ren Tea has also been promoting the tea culture through seminars with museums and schools and holding Taiwanese style tea ceremonies. Currently, about 15% of Ten Ren customers are said to be non-Asians. And green tea has especially been popular since medical journals reported it as being healthy.

Mr. Mark Lii of Ten Ren Tea treated me to his tea.

Interest in Asian tea is on the rise in America, but according to Ten Ren Tea president, Mark M. Lii, young people back in Taiwan are shying away from tea. "Coffee and cola are more popular than tea" says Mr. Lii. He says there is one tea drink bucking the trend though, a mixture of milk, tea and large tapiocas about a fifth to a half inch in diameter, known as boba tea, which has become extremely popular.

The new face in the Taiwan tea scene, boba tea

Popularity of Boba, originated in Taiwan, reached American shores 3 or 4 years ago. "I hope this will help people get to know the deep culture of tea" says Mr. Lii. His dream is to start a shop where customers can buy boba and traditional teas, and also enjoy light snacks. Ten Ren Tea has been in New York for 16 years, and under its guidance, the city's tea culture still has room to grow.

Boba cafes have popped up in Chinatown		McDonald's in Chinatown in Chinese letterings