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The best bubble tea in Toronto has advanced to impressive standards, with this popular Taiwanese beverage taking over the city thanks to many design-forward chains from Asia featuring unique offerings and interesting flavour combinations. Things have definitely gotten fancy.
Here is the best bubble tea in Toronto.
4 - Chatime Toronto![]()
This global brand has practically become synonymous with bubble tea in Toronto, with a whole slew of locations throughout the GTA and in the city. Zippy drink names like “MMMaple,” “Salted Caramel Yum” and “Oh (Ginger) Snap!” milk teas keep things intriguing, while faves like roasted grass jelly milk tea and the light, refreshing and ombre (IG-ready) Starry Lemon, made with all-natural butterfly pea flower tea, keep regulars returning.
6 - Gong Cha Tea![]()
Known for its “Milk Foam” drinks, this Taiwanese chain has a location each in Markham, Scarborough, North York and downtown. Refreshing teas (or coffee) are topped with a salty cream that makes for a nice taste and texture contrast to the sweet beverages.
8 - Sharetea (Yonge & Dundas)![]()
Over 50 flavours of Black, Oolong, Green, Milk and Fruit teas are available at the branches of this popular bubble tea chain from Taiwan. Well-made, sweet and salty Creama drinks are a highlight here, as is the Handmade Taro Fresh Milk, with real bits of taro in it.
5 - CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice (Yonge St.)![]()
High-quality ingredients make this large, international Taiwanese chain – with two locations downtown and more in the GTA – really stand out. Popular orders include the Two Ladies milk tea, with tapioca pearls and pudding, the Three Guys tea, which adds grass jelly to the previous drink, along with the Lemon King (similar to lemonade) and Bubble Gaga (a mix of green tea and passionfruit juice topped with coconut jelly and pearls).
10 - Royaltea![]()
Responsible for the drink-in-a-lightbulb trend, this smaller Chinese bubble tea chain with a location in Scarborough and another in Chinatown downtown also features intriguing beverages like the Osmanthus Oolong with Durian Mousse, where the mousse is made from a combination of cheese, milk, fresh cream and fresh blended durian, a divisive fruit if there ever was one.
9 - Happy Lemon![]()
With a cheerful-sounding name and cutesy marketing, this bubble tea shop found on the ground floor of Markham’s Pacific Mall is Toronto’s first for this franchise hailing from Shanghai. Salted cheese drinks are topped with cheese-flavoured foam and Japanese pink rock salt, while its Lemon Series beverages and green teas mixed with Yakult are also signature offerings.
11 - Latea Era![]()
This Scarborough cafe is the first overseas location of a fast-growing Chinese bubble tea chain. All its tea leaves come directly from China while matcha is sourced from Japan. Known for its “crown” topping, a signature cheese-like salted foam that sits atop many of the shop’s drinks, those who want a break from it should try the Oreo Puff Cream Milk Tea that’s topped with crumbled Oreos instead.
3 - The Alley![]()
Relaxed vibes in inviting spaces that favour exposed brick and wood accents can be found at the handful of locations of this Taiwanese chain around the city. With most cafes found in the GTA and one downtown, its many fans admire the care put into its creative drinks, from the fresh, handcrafted-in-house “deerioca” (tapioca balls named to reflect the chain’s deer imagery) with flavours that change from strawberry to black sesame, to the high-quality tea used.
7 - Funky Munky![]()
The rustic and retro feel of this coffee and bubble tea house is surprising, since it's located in a Markham strip mall. This lively yet comfortable space offers hot and cold bubble teas along with its signature FM Style Tea, which is similar to Hong Kong-style tea but with a mix of evaporated and steamed milks, plus Coftea, FM’s twist on Yuan Yang, combining tea with freshly ground and pressed coffee.
The opening date for the most anticipated Toronto art event in recent memory is steadily creeping up, but the AGO is already in full hype mode months in advance.
Yayoi Kusama's dazzling Infinity Mirrors exhibit will be unveiled on March 3, 2018, and those interested in checking out the exhibit are being warned to be at the ready when tickets go on sale lest they miss out.
This "is unlike any exhibition the AGO has presented before," reads a note on the gallery website by way of explaining the procedure for purchasing tickets to the show, which will only be available online.
Members will get first crack at tickets starting on December 12, 2017, while the public will have to await until January 16, 2018 to reserve spots.
That lag time might suggest that the AGO sees the exhibit as clever way to boost membership, but you can bet that the demand really will be outrageous. It certainly has been elsewhere.
A post shared by Art Gallery of Ontario (@agotoronto) on Oct 17, 2017 at 8:04am PDT
Part of the reason the interest is sure to be so high is that entry to the exhibition will be timed. Unlike a conventional show, each ticket will have a designated entry date and time for viewing Infinity Mirrors.
Once inside, viewers will be allotted "20 to 30 seconds in each of the six rooms, as directed by the artist’s intent." Wait times between rooms are expected to be 20 minutes, so prospective visitors are told to reserve two hours for viewing the exhibition.
Two hours of waiting for three minutes of viewing sounds like a total drag, but most people still rave about the experience of seeing a Kusama show in person. The widely held sentiment is that it's totally worth it.
Perhaps the key to making the most of the experience is to fight the urge to take a ton of selfies in favour of really soaking up what each room has to offer.
The TTC is in the midst of a major modernization plan with the roll out of Presto and accessibility upgrades at many of its stations, but it the upgrades don't come without a few headaches.
Queen Station is about to lose its old turnstiles in favour of fare gates, which is going to result in a host of closures at the busy downtown subway stop.
The most noteworthy of these will involve the full closure of the station this weekend from 11 p.m. on Friday, October 20 to 6 a.m. on Monday, October 23. During this period, Line 1 trains will bypass the station.
There will be other closures as well, but these will be restricted to late night hours. The station will be closed at 11 p.m. on both October 18 and 19 and then from October 23 all the way to the end of November.
Fortunately, both King and Dundas stations are a short walk away. The installation of fare gates at all TTC stations is expected to be complete by next spring. You can see track which other stations are slated for closures here.
A new Mexican restaurant near College and Bathurst from one of Toronto's most popular chefs will be hot as fire this winter, mark my words.
Quetzal, a Partisans-designed, Grant van Gameren-owned joint is set to open at 419 College in the former Cafe Awtash space by the end of this year, welcoming Toronto into a "warm, boisterous, convivial atmosphere" with fire everywhere.
A post shared by Quetzal (@quetzaltoronto) on Dec 5, 2016 at 5:08pm PST
The restaurant "will celebrate regional Mexican cuisine, inspired by traditional flavours and cooking styles, all cooked over a breathtaking 28 foot-long open fire that runs the span of the space," according to a press release.
Large format sharing plates will be offered alongside individual dishes, encouraging guests to have fun, chat with their neighbours, celebrate."
Sounds fun, but back to that 28-foot-long super-fire.
A post shared by Quetzal (@quetzaltoronto) on Aug 9, 2016 at 11:46am PDT
"The restaurant will be elemental; everything will be cooked over an open flame, roasted in the wood burning oven, grilled, or cooked on the estufa lorena," reads the release.
As for what will be cooked on that fire (and in the kitchen, of course), things sound quite promising: grilled meats and fish, traditional moles, Peruvian ceviches and salsas featuring little-known native ingredients like maguey worms and chicatana ants.
"Chefs Julio Guajardo and Kate Chomyshyn will introduce Canadians to the huge array of cuisine found in Mexico," the restaurant promises. "Specifically Oaxaca, Yucatan, Baja California and other regions known for creating some of Mexico's most iconic dishes."
Bring it on.
Toronto city councillor Gord Perks has heard the cries of his Parkdale constituents to save Tibet Kitchen loud and clear – there's just nothing he can do about it.
"Like you, I desperately want this business, which adds so much to our neighbourhood, to succeed," said Perks of the 13-year-old Tibetan food restaurant in a statement. "When the owner of Tibet Kitchen contacted my office about a month ago, my staff and I immediately got to work."
The statement was issued Tuesday in response a Change.org petition that's been circulating among members of the tight-knight Parkdale neighbourhood this week.
Perks says that he and his staff provided advice to the restaurant's owner, put him in touch with appropriate public servants, and offered to help him with "all the necessary paper work."
Bad news: the Tibet Kitchen is losing its location. This explains what I can and can't do: https://t.co/Y0PFjhXcAz
— Gord Perks (@gordperks) October 17, 2017
What the more than 1,100 backers of the petition want, however, is for Perks to change a local by-law so that Tibet Kitchen can move into a spot that isn't of interest to a multinational corporation.
"This is something I can not legally do, and frankly should not do," says Perks in the release.
"Your petition asks me to give one specific business an exemption from the rules. This troubles me," he continues. "I don’t believe individual politicians should be able to change the rules so that a specific business succeeds or fails."
The petition's organizers remain unswayed, however.
"Needless to say, we are not deterred by this response," reads an update on Change.org in response to Perks' statement. "We are meeting him next week, and will be considering next steps beyond that."
When you casually peruse the real estate listings for enough legitimate Toronto mansions, it becomes easy to forget that most homes in a neighbourhood like Rosedale are wildly beyond the reach of even high earning people in Toronto these days.
Take this property at 1 May St., for example. It's on a quiet cul de sac near Craigleigh Gardens, and while it only boasts three bedrooms (+1), the combination of location and luxury finishes puts its listing price at a whopping $7.5 million.
It seems a bit much at first glance, but the longer you look, the more it makes sense. Everything is oozes with class here, from the Limestone floors to the custom Scavolini kitchen. The design is immaculate.
Even if the master bedroom is a bit on the bland side, the walk-in closet and en suite are reminders of the luxury on offer. Ditto for the spiral staircase and open wine cellar at the entrance to the basement. What more could you ever want?
Specs
Address: 1 May St.
Price: $7.5 million
Lot Size: 50 x 126 feet
Bedrooms: 3 + 1
Bathrooms: 6
Parking: 4
Walk Score: 37
Transit Score: 86
Listing agent: Elise S. Kalles
Listing ID: C3943679
Good For
Someone who's just been hired as the CEO of a Toronto-based company. A Rosedale address is an immediate status symbol, one that very few can afford.
Move On If
You're comfortable being recognized as new money. Take your $7.5 million and drop it down further from the core, and you can get yourself five plus bedrooms and a pool.
Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage for sponsoring our house of the week. All editorial written and selected by blogTO.
Today in Toronto a huge Mexican dinner party goes down, a one-night beer festival takes place, and an Indigenous film festival arrives.
Events you might want to check out:
The best bubble tea in Toronto has advanced to impressive standards, with this popular Taiwanese beverage taking over the city thanks to many design-forward chains from Asia featuring unique offerings and interesting flavour combinations. Things have definitely gotten fancy.
Here is the best bubble tea in Toronto.
4 - Chatime Toronto
Gord Downie, the much-loved frontman for the Tragically Hip, has died at the age of 53. A statement from Downie's family posted to the band's Twitter feed confirms that the singer passed away on Tuesday night with his children and family nearby.
Statement - https://t.co/vOTvlJ2jqA pic.twitter.com/Z6dHmr1xpM
— The Tragically Hip (@thehipdotcom) October 18, 2017
Downie announced that he had an incurable form of brain cancer in May 2016 after which the Tragically Hip embarked on one last tour, which culminated with a final show in the band's hometown of Kingston that was broadcast across the country.
Knowing this day was coming doesn’t make it any less devastating. Gord and the band improved Canada. Let’s all cry and kiss together.
— Polaris Music Prize (@PolarisPrize) October 18, 2017
Amongst the many things that the singer, poet, and musician will be remembered for is his contribution to the Canada's mythology, from lyrics about Bill Barilko to the sprawling landscape of the prairies to Bobcaygeon, the cottage area northeast of Toronto.
We have Gord (and the Tragically Hip) to thank for mythologizing and preserving so many Canadian stories. A true poet and historian.
— Chris Bateman (@chrisbateman) October 18, 2017
The Hip will always be a Kingston band, but this city had certainly adopted Downie and his bandmates long ago. The outpouring of emotion immediately following his death has already been profound.
RIP Gord Downie. A true Canadian icon. #TragicallyHip pic.twitter.com/XItBUkWcac
— Cause We're Canadian (@MadelnCanada) October 18, 2017
Along with his musical and literary work, Downie was also engaged in advocacy for issues he was passionate about. His work to support Canada's indigenous communities was a particular focus in the final stage of his life.
Thanks for being a big part of the soundtrack of our lives, Gord. Rest In Peace. #GordDownie pic.twitter.com/ZPQ9g35HeT
— John Derringer (@JohnDerringer) October 18, 2017
Downie's last solo album Introduce Yerself, recorded in the final months of his life, will be released on October 27 by Arts & Crafts.
He will be remembered for a lifetime of music and his deep exploration of what it means to be Canadian. 
Richmond Hill’s premier shopping destination is getting a huge makeover.
Hillcrest Mall, which has been expanding rapidly over the past couple years, has announced several new additions to its north wing.
Retailers like HomeSense, Marshalls, and Browns will be taking over the space formerly occupied by Target before the company’s Canadian demise in 2015.
What is perhaps most exciting, though, is the addition of another Miniso location. The Chinese company, which brands itself as a “Japanese lifestyle” store, will be opening sometime this winter.
Often considered to be in competition with Dollarama, Uniqlo, and Muji, Miniso offers a huge range of products for cheap. Kitchenware, cosmetics, toys, clothing, and other products are all offered for very low prices, sometimes as low as $3.
Other retailers are planned for occupancy in the coming months. Hillcrest says the renovations will include new washrooms and “an upgraded food court” (can you believe they didn't call it a food hall?).
The plans focus heavily on design and aesthetics. Cosmetic upgrades to design on both the interior and exterior of the shopping centre are all in the works.
This weekend is a killer for subway closures in Toronto. Not only will a major section of Line 1 be closed Saturday and Sunday due to signal upgrades, but one of the busiest stations in the system will be closed all weekend due to fare gate construction.
There will be no subway service between Sheppard West and St. George stations on October 21 and 22 for the installation and testing of Automatic Train Control. All trains on Line 1 will turn back southbound at St George Station.
Dupont and Glencairn stations will be closed during this period. All other stations will remain open for the sale of fares and connection to surface routes.
Due to traffic impacts from numerous on-street construction activities, shuttle buses will operate between Sheppard West and Lawrence West stations during this closure.
Customers are encouraged to use existing east-west bus/streetcar routes to the Yonge portion of Line 1 or north-south bus routes to Line 2. Additional service is being added to these routes during the subway closure.
Customers travelling on Line 2 who wish to travel northbound should transfer at Yonge-Bloor Station. There is no shuttle bus service from St George Station.
Also worth noting is that trains on Line 1 will bypass Queen Station both ways starting at 11 p.m. on October 20 until approximately 6 a.m. on October 23 due to fare gate construction at the station.
The closure will continue during the week with trains bypassing the station both ways starting at 11 p.m. each night from October 23 until the end of November. Service will resume at the regularly scheduled time each morning.
Toronto's first long range winter forecast is out, and it looks like it’s going to be a snowy season this year, at least if these sorts of predictions can be trusted.
A new weather forecast from AccuWeather show an above-average rate of snowfall for much of Ontario and Quebec this winter, and Toronto is in the centre of the affected areas.
Southern Ontario and Quebec are going to see a ton of snow this year. Image from AccuWeather.
A low-impact La Niña will create conditions favourable for precipitation in much of Eastern Canada, causing above average snow for the region.
The forecast also notes that there's a good chance that Toronto will be faced with a few huge snow storms, though that's pretty much what we expect each year.
For some, this is terrible news. For others, however, it may be a good thing. The large amount of snowfall will create great conditions for those who love to ski and go snowmobiling. It also might be good for a few snow days from work.
Make sure to bundle up this winter! 
Driving downtown Toronto can sometimes be confusing. Crossing over bike lanes, navigating down one-way streets, and standing still for hours on the Gardiner can befuddle even the best of drivers.
There are, however, extra-bewildering cases.
509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina turning back at Queens Quay due to an auto blocking the rails in the Harbourfront tunnel.
— Official TTC Tweets (@TTCnotices) October 18, 2017
One of these happened today when another (yes, another) car drove into the Union Station streetcar tunnel and got lodged on the tracks.
Even with all the signage, this happened again. #ttc #queensquay #idiots @TTChelps @TTCnotices pic.twitter.com/H18R5FsMDt
— Lucas Kschischang (@kschischang) October 18, 2017
Happening once is understandable, happening twice is concerning, but when it happens for a third time and beyond, it's downright hilarious. Or depressing. Or both.
What makes this incident all the more surprising is the prevention methods that have been put in place since the last time this happened. The city has added new signage, rumble strips, and clear warnings that drivers cannot enter the tunnel.
ALL CLEAR: The delay at Harbourfront Tunnel has cleared. 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina have returned to regular routing. #TTC
— Official TTC Tweets (@TTCnotices) October 18, 2017
As of noon today, the car has been cleared from the area, but not before a whole bunch of people were delayed and the embarrassing incident was captured in photos. 
Toronto is soon going to be home to several completely new neighbourhoods.
As Google builds the community of the future, the Unilever lands become a second downtown, and Bloor West gets no less than three massive makeovers, South Etobicoke is about to get in on the action.
The newest addition to the growing list of mega developments in Toronto is planned for the former Mr. Christie lands at Lake Shore and Park Lawn right atop Humber Bay Shores.
First Capital Realty wants to build a “whole community” on the sprawling 27-acre site according to Jodie Shpigel, vice president of development.
The area has undergone huge changes in recent years, and has been embattled with a growing population that's putting immense strain on the lack of transit in the area.
City Councillor Mark Grimes, whose ward contains a portion of the area, insists that no residential development take place until transit problems are addressed. Recently, a member of the community began crowdfunding a shuttle bus service to help alleviate some of the pressure.
First Capital Realty contends that the location would have enough room for a GO station and views a transit hub as key to its plans. As of yet, however, Metrolinx hasn't included the area on a list of places they're planning for transit development.
The developers have not yet been granted rezoning by the city, but their plans include retail, the transit hub, community space, restaurants, banks, and other services in addition to the residential component.
Most importantly, perhaps, is that the iconic water tower will remain standing.
The Pickle Barrel, which boasts 12 locations in the Toronto area, just got some new owners.
Cara, the group behind several other popular restaurant chains, such as Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet, Milestones, and Kelseys (to name a few), have announced their takeover of all Pickle Barrel locations this week.
Part of their reasoning for the purchase may be a result of poor sales in sit-down casual eateries, of which Cara is well represented. The trend of flat sales in this particular category is happening across the industry, but Cara is presumably looking to diversify its portfolio.
Swiss Chalet may still be a go-to for takeout, but fewer and fewer people — and in particular young people — are dining in.
Chief Executive Bill Gregson told investors that the company "isn't pleased" with the sales results at its sit-down eateries, and that there are plans to grow sales through added marketing and new menu items.
Over the past few years, Cara has expanded rapidly, acquiring several established brands in the country. The company expects to be operating Pickle Barrel restaurants by the end of the year.
An apartment building in the heart of Queen West wants you to keep off its well manicured lawn, ya hooligans.
And if you don't? Get ready to experience anything from mild boredom to having your flesh consumed by monsters.
Just a stone's throw from OCAD University, the 1960s-era Gallery Towers building at 50 Stephanie St. is surrounded by a private parkette that backs directly onto Grange Park.
The trespassing stakes have been raised at the Gallery Towers. Photo by blogTO.
We know that the area is reserved for apartment building residents because it's enclosed by a short black fence and has several (recently-modified) "private property" markers posted in plain sight.
As spotted by Sean Marshall, the former "trespassers will be prosecuted" signs now promise such penalties as tickling, hungry zombies, and being unimpressed.
It's not clear who spruced up the signs or why, but it could be a tongue-in-cheek statement about the privatization of green spaces in Toronto.
There really isn't much to see at the parkette behind 50 Stephanie St. Photo by blogTO.
What's particularly weird (and, some might argue, funny) about the existence and prominence of these signs in that, well, there's not much more than a flat patch of grass to protect.
The area also backs directly onto Grange Park, which has an abundance of beautiful, newly-revitalized green space that – let's be honest – most people would rather hang out in. 
Toronto real estate is a never-ending whirlwind.
A new report from Zoocasa shows that townhouse sales have plummeted dramatically this month, and are expected to continue dropping.
The mid-month statistics reveal that townhouse sales fell 48 percent year-over-year in Toronto, and plunged 62.1 percent in the GTA month-over-month.
At first glance, it may seem that the total inventory of available townhouses is dropping, leading sales to drop as well. However, the report only shows a 15 percent drop in available inventory since October 2016.
While this is significant, it pales in comparison to the drop in sales.
The sales-to-new-listings ratio sat around 36.1 percent, which indicates a buyer's market. A ratio between 40 and 60 percent would indicate a balanced market, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.
Home sales in all categories fell, but not as much as townhouses. Since October of last year, condo sales were down 42 percent, semi-detached houses were down 35 percent, and detached houses fell 34 percent.
Policies from the Ontario government and fears of housing bubbles bursting may have significant impact on sales numbers.
Why townhouses specifically fell is not known. It may be a result of buyers taking higher interest in detached homes, which saw a slight sales increase of a modest one percent in the City, and 11 percent across the GTA.
With Toronto's rental market in full blown Halloween spook mode, it's hard to know what you can get for certain benchmark numbers. What kind of apartment $3,500 got you just a year ago is significantly different than today.
Perhaps that's why this semi-detached rental at 9 Givins St. caught my eye. It seems like a good space for the price in today's market. Sure, $3,500 is a lot to pay in rent, but here it gets you a full house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
It's also possible to rent the house in a furnished state with utilities included for $4,500, but that's considerably less enticing for anyone who lives in the city and isn't an ex-pat worker or looking for a short term rental.
The interior here is tastefully designed, and the furnished basement area is a major boon space-wise. If there's a major drawback, a lack of parking could be cited, but it might be possible to secure an on-street permit.
Not everyone needs three bedrooms, but those who are in the market for a spacious rental will likely find this one alluring.
Specs
Address: 9 Givins St.
Apartment type: Semi-detached house
Rent: $3,500
Furnished? $4,500 all / inc.
Air conditioning? No
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Parking: Not included
Laundry? Yes
Outdoor space? Not specified
Pet friendly? Not specified
Good For
Anyone who needs multiple bedrooms and lots of living space. Families, yes — but you'd think that a trio of young professionals could make a place like this work very well too.
Move On If
If things like convenient parking and ample outdoor space are high on your list, this one might not be so appealing. 
Tragically Hip fans the world around are mourning Gord Downie today, but no where is the loss felt more than at home in Canada.
An outpouring of grief continues to flood Facebook, Twitter and Instagram today in the wake of Downie's untimely passing, but tributes are happening offline, too.
Maple Leafs had the Hip playing in locker-room before today’s skate pic.twitter.com/UtKqEC5xXu
— Gregory Strong (@GregoryStrongCP) October 18, 2017
Toronto-based fans (of which there are probably millions) are reporting that local restaurants, bars and retail stores have been playing The Hip overhead all day.
Stopped for coffee & lunch on my way home from volunteering and all the stores are playing the Tragically Hip and it's beautiful
— Taylor Graham (@taymgraham) October 18, 2017
The late rockstar, who died last at the age of 53 from an incurable form of brain cancer, could be heard singing about his home and native land today at Tim Hortons...
Walked into Tim Hortons and they were playing the Hip. It's that kind of day in Canada.
— Lauren Strapagiel 💀 (@laurenstrapa) October 18, 2017
At Dineen Coffee...
Shout out to my favourite coffee shop in Toronto, @DineenCoffee, for playing the Hip all day long as a tribute to @gorddownie
— Anne Podlipski (@annepodlipski) October 18, 2017
At Mr. Sub...
Listening to The Tragically Hip while eating at Mr. Sub. Feeling very Canadian rn
— Keenan Wells (@HowTallAreYou_) October 18, 2017
At Lisa Marie...
barlisamarie will be playing the hip all night during dinner service.… https://t.co/dtrzBPwTVm
— fidel gastro (@fidelgastros) October 18, 2017
And pretty much anywhere with a radio playing (read: all the cars).
Sourcing day on the market: every radio station in my car, every store playing The Tragically Hip and #GordDownie 😢
— Margot Doiron Austin (@margotaustin) October 18, 2017
Many employers are similarly piping Downie's voice through offices across the city right now.
Many playing #tragicallyhip at work this a.m. Thanks to #GordDownie for the 🎼& efforts to make 🇨🇦a better place. https://t.co/jG2yfdMYFN
— Working at U of T (@workingatuoft) October 18, 2017
Toronto is hearing The Hip frontman at gyms...
@ClimbBasecamp is playing the Hip in the gym. It's nice.
— Alana Delacroix (@AlanaDelacroix) October 18, 2017
Some teachers are even playing his music for students at their schools.
Working on art and listening to the Tragically Hip. Teaching a new generation music appreciation. #holt1718 #TragicallyHip #CanadianLegend pic.twitter.com/pwNrwa3dAO
— Mrs. K. Holt (@MrsHoltPCB) October 18, 2017
Now that's an education Canadian parents can be proud of.
You can expect to hear a lot more Gord over the next few days as bars and restaurants host special events in memoriam of the beloved songwriter.
Soup tea is thing now.
I mean, it's been a thing in Asia for a while, but now it's taking off in Toronto too – just like our good friends activated charcoal, super-expensive melon and cheese-stuffed chicken as big as your face!
Not to be confused with sipping broth (which is also mad trendy as of late), soup tea is not really soup. It's tea.
The difference lies in how these respective savoury drinks are prepared.
Have you tried this yet? Soup Tea from @davidstea - surprisingly really good! This is Tomato Turmeric #davidstea #TomatoTurmeric #SoupTea #cuppa
A post shared by Lorena Sollows (@scrappingcorner) on Sep 29, 2017 at 5:41pm PDT
Broth is basically hot meat water and salt. It takes on the flavour of whatever's boiled in it. Much of what's being sold by the cup right now is "bone broth," which, while thought to have some health benefits, is often jam-packed with sodium. That's why it's so delicious.
Making the perfect cup of Broth with extra virgin olive oil, smoked black pepper and ground Turmeic root -
A post shared by Llance Kezner (@savoryteas) on Sep 12, 2017 at 6:12pm PDT
Soup tea, on the other hand, is made by steeping vegetables, herbs spices and green tea. You can buy it in tea bags, just like Eary Gray, from companies such as the U.S. based Millie's or Numi Organics, which sells savoury "garden" teas.
It also comes in loose-leaf form and can be purchased buy the cup at David's Tea, which has 17 locations across Toronto.
A post shared by Katja Alexander (@kittyxander) on Oct 4, 2017 at 8:44am PDT
David's set the trend on fire locally a few weeks ago when it rolled out its first three flavours of soup tea: Tomato Turmeric, Rosemary Black Pepper and Spicy Rasam.
The company's website says the product has "detoxifying" and "radiance-boosting" health benefits, as well as minerals like calcium and iron. But so do the many purveyors of bone broth.
What seems to make savoury teas more of a sell than broths, aside from having way less salt, is the relative ease in which they can be prepared, consumed and even cooked with.
Soup tea isn't just for soup! 🍜 Tofu scramble seasoned with @davidstea Spicy Rasam and what was tragically the last of @kenzieleightraill 's mom's salsa. 💔 #vegan #tofu #souptea #dtinsider #blackcatsofinstagram
A post shared by Caity (@annihilaity) on Oct 4, 2017 at 10:45am PDT
"Truthfully, making soup with tea isn't anything new," reads a Cooking Light blog post about David's new teas. "Other brands have tried similar versions... but what really gets us is the convenience of a full broth in a bag."
Apparently it's pretty tasty, too. Tea vloggers (which exist, if you didn't know,) seem to be eating this stuff up.
Of course, it could just be a novelty thing.
Hot take: Soup tea is just soup.
— Chris Webb 🌹 (@Cee_Webb) September 29, 2017
Confused comments seem to follow a lot of the people who post about their soup-tea habit online.
"I bought one each of the new soup teas. I'm excited to try them!" wrote one woman on Instagram, to which a commenter replied "Isn't this just soup in a cup?"
"I know I buy some hippie-skippy," wrote someone else on Instagram. "But " DO NOT want something called 'soup tea.'"
Suit yourself.
The Raptors kick off their season with a huge tailgate party tonight. Meanwhile, there's a huge light festival in Nathan Phillips Square, the goths take over the Bata Shoe Museum, and there's a host of film festivals to check out.
Events you might want to check out:
