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The Whale Tea Bakery, a new shop dedicated to the popular bubble tea, is set to celebrate its grand opening in Bayport next week.
The shop’s official Instagram and Facebook accounts announced a buy two drinks get a free cake sale for its Sept. 4 grand opening. The deal runs through Sept. 11.
Located at 771 Montauk Hwy. in Bayport, The Whale Tea is a chain of bubble tea shops that originated in China. In recent years, the tri-state area has seen an influx of the shops. However, the new Bayport location is the first Whale Tea to also offer baked goods.
“Most of the time, we are having the bubble tea, people want to eat something,” said Allen Zhang, who, together with partners, owns multiple Whale Tea shops in the United States, including the new Bayport location. “The cake with the tea is a perfect match.
“We are making the cake with different flavors, like the bubble tea flavors,” he continued. “We have mocha and mango. Those are all recipes from China.”
In its display cases, the shop offers single slices of fruity cakes that pair well with like-flavored bubble teas, including the strawberry and mango cake slices. It also bakes cupcakes and lavishly decorated cakes perfect for birthday parties and other celebrations.
While many Whale Tea teas and recipes come from China, Zhang said, many others come from Japan. Additionally, the tapioca boba pearls come from Taiwan.
The shop’s menu is divided into several “series” of teas, including the fresh milk tea series, the crème brûlée series, the fresh fruit tea series and the milk foam fresh tea series. Each offers an array of naturally sweet options.
Among the most refreshing beverages are such staples as the brown sugar and Thai fresh milk teas, indulgent innovations that include the Oreo crème brûlée, and fruity delights like the mango fruit tea and the passionfruit slush.
After settling into Bayport, Zhang said he and his partners plan to open three additional Whale Teas on Long Island. He expects the Manhasset location, which is now under renovation, will open in about a month. A Syosset Whale Tea will follow in about two months and a Huntington location in three to six months.
Bayport will remain the only Whale Tea with its own bakery.
“We keep baking new stuff because we are still opening right now,” Zhang said. “We will have more products coming soon.”
Top: Thai milk tea on counter at Whale Tea Bakery in Bayport.
