The new business will serve “smoochies,” a nickname for fresh fruit smoothies served with “boba,” or bubble tea served with tapioca pearls, said Mirpuri, who is opening the business along with Dr. Susan Alcasid.
Tapioca pearls are gummy-like spheres made from starch and casava root, a plant native to South America, Mirpuri said.
The drink originated in Taiwan in the 1980s when a tea stand added the “boba” to its frothy tea drinks to create imaginative, new beverages. Because the drinks had tapioca pearl “bubbles” at the top and bottom, the drink became known as bubble tea.”
“(Boba) is a fun, delicious, unique drink that we want to introduce here in Cincinnati,” Mirpuri said. “We also will serve fruit shakes, milk teas, fruit teas paired with our sweet and savory crepes.”
Variations of the creamy-texture drink come in classic and island flavors and are made from mangoes, avocado, coconut, corn and other fruits.
Mirpuri and Alcasid said they plan to open additional Smoochies Boba & Crepes locations, first in downtown Cincinnati’s Findlay Market and other locations throughout Ohio thereafter.
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