Aroma Corner, the best boba place in town!Aroma Corner; cafe, tea house, and pastry shop. Serving coffee as good, if not better than any Starbucks creation I've tasted. Situated in a cozy corner of Old Kings and Baymeadows, across from Winn Dixie, this is the perfect quick light lunch spot, with friendly owners, free wi-fi and a clean, quiet atmosphere.
You don't need to know what "Boba" is to enjoy this uniquely charming cafe, but I'll let you in on one of Asia's best kept secrets.
Boba is tapioca, made from the cassava root.However, this is not the caviar-esque tapioca you had in pudding at your grandmother's house. Boba, or tapioca pearls, are much denser, almost the consistency of a gummy bear, but worlds better. Mildly sweet in flavor and when homemade, as they always are at Aroma Corner, satiny soft on the outside and slightly chewy at the center. Boba sit at the bottom of any tea or coffee drink and are eaten through large straws--be careful because it can get noisy! Aroma Corner also offer delicate tea and coffee flavored jelly squares which give a sweeter contrast to the boba.
The second best part of the boba experience, the first being eating, is watching your tea transform from all of its components into the magical concoction it is. If your tea is hot, your milk will be steamed and added to the freshly brewed tea, then simple syrup and your boba or tea jelly is added and it's into the sealing machine. Your tea will be shaken until frothy and it's time to enjoy! Aroma Corner offers a frequent customer card; collect stamps with every drink purchase to earn a free drink!
Michelle, the shop owner has brought this trend all the way from Asia, and her warm smile and helpful suggestions show that she knows her stuff. Everything at Aroma Corner is homemade, from the freshly brewed tea, to the boba pearls, to the pastries and cakes under the glass case. Michelle is an expert pastry chef and offers a variety of beautiful and personalized cakes for any occasion. Be sure to look at her cake portfolio when you stop by!
My addictions run along the lines of the iced Jasmine Milk Tea with Boba , the Caramel Latte, and the warm Royal Tea Latte with Tea Jelly. From the dessert case you must try the Chocolate Mousse, the Asian custard style dessert, Nie Loung, the tirimusu is hard to pass up, and any of the selection of cheesecakes is sure to please even unadventurous eaters. Light breakfast or lunch options are the Peanut Butter Crumble Toast, the Breakfast Egg and Cheese Wrap, the Veggie/Egg Wrap or the Asian Cold Noodle Salad (my personal favorite after a long day).
As mentioned before, Aroma Corner offers free wi-fi, so come with your laptop, try a boba tea, a veggie wrap or a piece of tirimisu and plan to stay. It's also a great place for a casual date or just to hang out with your friends; the outdoor seating is cozy!
Aroma Corner
5111 Baymeadows Road
Jacksonville, FL 32217
(904) 737-2622
Aroma Corner IS a great place. It's so bright and uncommonly clean. The "sweets" are so good simply because they are not cloyingly sweet...quite different from most American-style desserts. Great review of a great tea and coffee shop!
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