Milk tea, bubble tea, pearl tea, etc., has in recent years become something of a national obsession in China, especially among the young. But the craze hit new heights in Nanjing last week, as citizens became demented over a new shop’s opening.
Modern China Tea Shop, known as Chayan Yuese (茶颜悦色) in China, opened its first two stores in Nanjing last Thursday, 18 August. But not for long. Everything was sold out by 09:30 and the shops shuttered.
现代中国茶饮店（在中国被称为茶颜悦色）于8月18日星期四在南京开设了首批两家店。但不会持续太久。到 09:30 所有东西都卖完了，商店关门了。
At their branch in Jiangning District, queues had begun forming outside the Kingmo shopping mall opposite 1912 as early as 04:00. District police officers were deployed to the location to maintain public order.
在他们位于江宁区的分店，早在凌晨4点00分，1912对面的金模购物中心外就已经开始排起了长龙。地区警察已部署到该地点维持公共秩序。
For those who didn’t fancy such an early start, scalpers had set up dedicated platforms on WeChat. Services on offer included standing in line to purchase the specialty tea, at prices of up to ¥200 per cup.
对于那些不喜欢这么早开始的人，黄牛们在微信上建立了专门的平台。提供的服务包括排队购买特色茶，每杯价格高达 200 日元。
Local media subsequently contacted the Nanjing Market Supervision Bureau, which responded that it was illegal for scalpers to buy on behalf of others.
当地媒体随后联系南京市市场监管局，该局回应称，黄牛代购属于违法行为。
Modern China Tea Shop makes Bubble Tea Public Apology
现代中国茶店公开道歉珍珠奶茶
The following day, 19 August, Modern China Tea Shop posted an apology on their official WeChat account. It said that that a simple cup of milk tea had caused too many unnecessary discussions, disrupted people’s attention and brought a “storm” to Nanjing. The statement concluded, “The company is deeply sorry for this”, reports The Paper.
次日，即8月19日，现代中国茶饮在其官方微信账号上发布道歉声明。据称，一杯简单的奶茶引发了太多不必要的讨论，扰乱了人们的注意力，给南京带来了一场“风暴”。据澎湃新闻报道，声明最后表示，“公司对此深表歉意”。
Modern China Tea Shop’s success stems from a marketing effort that positions the brand as focusing on Chinese style and history. Traditional Chinese illustrations and stories are depicted on its products in a move which resonates with consumers during a time when it’s cool to be Chinese.
现代中国茶馆的成功源于将品牌定位为专注于中国风格和历史的营销努力。其产品上描绘了中国传统的插图和故事，在这个“中国人很酷”的时代，这一举措引起了消费者的共鸣。
The brand was was established in 2015 and is headquartered on the Huangxing Pedestrian Street of Changsha, capital of Hunan Province.
该品牌成立于2015年，总部位于湖南省省会长沙市黄兴步行街。
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, has its roots in Taiwan and dates from the 1980s. The unique chewy texture loved by many was an invention of Taiwanese artist and entrepreneur, Tu Tsong-he, who added black tapioca balls to traditional milk tea in 1986.
珍珠奶茶，也称为珍珠奶茶，起源于台湾，可以追溯到 20 世纪 80 年代。这种深受许多人喜爱的独特耐嚼口感是台湾艺术家兼企业家涂宗和的发明，他于 1986 年在传统奶茶中添加了黑木薯球。
