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Life & Arts

Quench your thirst at Tapioca Express

Spot offers everything students could want in a regular hangout

by ROBYN MORROW
THE DAILY COUGAR

Tapioca Express offers patrons unique beverages along with friendly service and gives students the perfect place to study while mingling with friends.

The coffee shop popularizes the use of tapioca, or "black pearl," made from tapioca starch, water, corn starch and natural flavors, according to the establishment's Web site. The use of small tapioca balls in beverages originated in Taiwan around 1981 and has since become a trendy drink addition for millions across both coasts.

Express offers customers a wide selection of drinks ranging from fresh juice, coffee, milk teas and its famed snow bubbles, a smoothie-like concoction. 

Customers can order beverages with or without the chewy tapioca pearls that gather near the bottom of your drink of choice.

Express has more than 40 locations in the nation and three in Houston. Customers can enjoy beverages in an atmosphere highly conducive to group meetings and studying. Gamers can escape to a special section in the back of the establishment where computers are provided for gaming purposes.

People often gather around the big screen to watch their favorite television shows or sporting events. Express also allows patrons to connect their own media, including laptops and gaming systems, to the TV for personal use.

The friendly staff at Express' 6357 Westheimer Road location always greets customers with a smile and knows many of its regular customers by name and drink order. The shop's most original drink, the snow bubble, comes in a variety of flavors, including the popular green apple, which tastes similar to a Jolly Rancher with a touch of milk. 

For those who prefer something non-dairy, Express also offers ICEE-like drinks in an arrangement of flavors from passion fruit to strawberry, along with assorted coffee and tea concoctions.

In addition, Express provides free wireless Internet access to its customers. Simply ask for the wireless password with your drink purchase, and you can surf the Internet in a quiet, friendly environment.

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