Bubble tea becomes a 'sacred offering'

Bubble Tea is a hypercaloric Taiwanese drink. In Thailand, it is customary to present offerings to the gods. Usually, the choice falls on incense, flowers and foods such as fruit.

Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Can a fashionable drink become an offering to temple gods? The question has sparked a heated debate among Thai Buddhists, after food critic Payunbud published the photo of an offering table (picture 2) with cups of bubble tea.

Also known as boba, bubble tea is a Taiwanese tea-based drink (with or without milk) with chewy toppings, known as "pearls" with syrup inside.

In Thailand, a country steeped in Theravada Buddhist traditions, it is customary to make an offering to the buddhas to see one’s wishes fulfilled.

Offerings usually range from incense and flowers to food like fruit but, for some faithful, gods should not be denied some of the more modern pleasures.

Payunbud’s picture went viral quickly, and in just a few hours was shared by tens of thousands on the main online platforms.

The food blogger later posted am exchange with a woman who said she offered Ganesha - a Hindu god - five large cups of Bubble tea, because he had heeded her prayers.

Despite positive feedback, criticism was not far behind. In addition to those who felt "offended" by bubble tea offerings, others simply consider it rather inappropriate for a sacred place.

(Photo credit: Twitter).

• thailand
• religion
• buddhism
• offerings
• gods
• bubble tea