TaiGai – The Creator of Fruit-Blended Cheese Tea Arrives in Singapore

I arrived at Taigai (台盖) in NEX just one week before its official launch. Everyone in the shop was dressed in a striking pastel blue t-shirt, busy making drinks. TaiGai is not brewing your usual run-of-the-mill tea, but a special tea that’s topped with cheese.

Originated from Shenzhen since 2015, TaiGai is the original creator of fruit-blended milk cheese crowns, Fruity MILKY KISS, an offering that has become synonymous with the brand. With over 60 stores in China, this popular brand has opened their first overseas outlet in NEX.

Specializing in small-batch cheese-topped brews, TaiGai churns out cups of premium-grade oolong, jasmine, and black tea blanketed with 2-inches of sweet and salty whipped cheese.

TaiGai’s signature range — Fruity Milky Kiss — is a huge hit. Fans brave the queue, rain or shine, to get a taste of it. Whether you prefer a really light concoction, or a rich and decadent one, the Fruity Milky Kiss range definitely has something that will please your palate. I strongly recommend the Pulpy Strawberry Kiss ($6.80) — a blend of fresh strawberries and fragrant Jasmine green tea topped with a strawberry-infused milk crown.

The iconic creamy and frothy “Milk Cheese Crown” is infused with fruits, which makes the drink surprisingly light and satisfying. It’s almost like diving into an airy slice of strawberry cheese cake! The tea, which promises a burst of sweetness and tanginess in every mouthful, is refreshing and is perfect for even a post-lunch treat. It isn’t too heavy so you don’t have to worry about it being very filling.

Other stellar cheese fruit tea concoctions include the Pulpy Pineapple Kiss ($6.20) and Pulpy Black Grape Kiss ($6.20). The grape rendition sports a beautiful shade of deep purple and has a grape-infused milk crown perched on. TaiGai’s dedication to infusing the cheese crown with the corresponding flavour of the drink is pretty impressive.

If you’ll like to play it safe, go for the Milky Kiss Baby Cicada Oolong ($4.90).

Be prepared for the first sip, which will most likely be a whole hit of whipped cheese. Tilt your head back back a little more, and the tea and cheese will flow into your mouth together. It’s akin to drinking a tea milkshake! This pairing works incredibly well —the salted cheese plays up the tea’s floral notes, and the tea, in turn, becomes smooth and creamy.

Other must-tries in the Pure Tea Milky Kiss Series include Milky Kiss Jasmine Green Tea ($4.30), Milky Kiss Sun Moon Lake Black Tea ($4.30) and Milky Kiss Alisan Oolong ($4.50). If you enjoy a little crunch in your tea, why not get some oreo crumbs ($0.80) sprinkled on the cheese?

TaiGai also has a Pure Tea Series where tea aficionados can truly taste the fragrant and delicate flavours of the tea. The Jasmine Green Tea ($3.30), Sun Moon Lake Black Tea ($3.30), Alisan Oolong ($3.50) and Baby Cicada Oolong ($3.90) are just a few of the bestselling options. The tea leaves used in TaiGai’s creations are procured and imported from high-altitude plantations in Taiwan. Tea leaves grown at higher altitude have been known to be richer, smoother, and more fragrant. What’s more, the tea leaves are harvested by hand by the locals, so you can be sure that you’re getting good quality tea that has earned the approval of the farmers.

If you prefer fresh fruit tea, TaiGai’s Fresh Golden Kumquat Burst ($4), Fresh Green Lemon Burst with Green Tea ($4.50), Fresh Yellow Lemon Burst with Black Tea ($4.50) and Orange Burst ($5.90) are right up your alley! They even add cold-pressed juice to this mix, thus retaining the nutritional benefits from the fruits, which are farmed, harvested, and frozen before they are imported to Singapore.

TaiGai OPENING SPECIAL – Not forgetting fans who love milk, TaiGai also has a BEARY CUTE SERIES for a beary limited period of time. From 5 September 2018, you can enjoy the following Beary drinks which come in a cup with an adorable bear-ear lid (unique and exclusive to TaiGai!).

• Beary Co Co (Fresh Milk + Chocolate Sauce + Cocoa Powder + Pearls at $4.90)
• Beary Creative (Milk Tea + any 1 add-ons (choice of pearls, nata de coco and red bean) at $4.50, add $0.80 per extra add-ons)

Combining bittersweet chocolate notes and cheese, this alluring series will not disappoint. It is known the Beary Co Co has been selling fast since its opening so make sure you get your hands on at least a cup before stocks run out!

*UPDATE* Beary Cute Series opening promotion is officially sold out. It will be making a comeback with new flavours soon!

Since every cup is made upon order, certain varieties may take up to five minutes to craft. But the wait is definitely worth your while. Time to get in line and queue for your favourite cheese tea!

This post was brought to you by Taigai Singapore.