The first and only one of its kind in India, Tapioca Bar in Bombay serves an interesing drink called Bubbles. Originally a Taiwanese drink, it is fruit-flavoured with the pieces of the Tapioca root and jelly in it. The flavours are many but Tapioca Bar serves 21 flavours, including blueberry, passion fruit, kiwi, plum, grape, champagne grape, cherry, mango, peach, pineapple, chocolate, green apple, lychee and papaya. The fruit extracts and Tapioca make Bubbles a healthy drink, not to mention addictive.

�I was addicted to this drink when I was studying Psychology in New York,� says Zahabiya Khorakiwala, who along with her friend Arshaad Mirza owns Tapioca Bar. Arshaad was working as a software manager in Dallas when he got a taste of Bubbles. When the two returned to Bombay, they started talking about their favourite drink and how much they missed it. �We thought that Bombay should have a place that serves it,� reflects Zahabiya. �Since this drink is so popular in New York, which is not even a hot city, I knew it would do well in Bombay�s climate.�

Of course, before setting up the place, the enterprising duo did some market research to find out if the drink would become popular. �We imported some samples of Bubbles from the US and invited people to come over and try them. While people loved the drink, we weren�t too happy with the quality of the product from our American suppliers,� explains Arshaad.

After some online research, they learned that the drink was originally from Taiwan. �So we went to Taiwan to test the product and get a supplier,� says Arshaad. After nine months of further research and formalities, Tapioca Bar opened its door to Bombay in the summer of 2005.

But Zahabiya and Arshaad were aware that some amount of risk was involved since they were introducing something completely new in Bombay. �We weren�t sure if people would like Tapioca or jelly coming through their straw while sipping a drink. People would either love it or reject it completely. But these were calculated risks,� says Arshaad.

Tapioca Bar today is doing well. �When we started, we thought Bubbles is a drink for youngsters. But a lot of family crowd comes in. We see kids enjoying this drink as well. We realized it is a universal drink,� says Zahabiya.

The vibrant decor of this 550-square feet place complements the drinks served here. Says Arshaad, �We also have board games and card games at the tables.... It is a very casual place where people can come in and sit for as long as they want.� Tapioca Bar also serves snacks like tacos, sandwiches, tortillas and mini meals. The drink is served in two sizes: 350 ml. and 500 ml., and the price ranges between Rs 50 to Rs 80.

Everything, from the flavours to the Tapioca root, the glasses and straws are brought in from Taiwan. Explains Arshaad, �We bring in a year�s supply of the raw material. It�s not freshly-squeezed juice; it is fruit extracts with preservatives, so it lasts long. The Tapioca root is brought in raw and we process it here. At the Bar, we make the drink when it is ordered. But when we do outdoor catering, we make the drinks and keep them cool for serving.�

The 20-something youngsters are enjoying themselves with this business. And apart from concocting Bubbles, they have separate careers as well. Arshaad runs his own software programming firm while Zahabiya works with her father. Yet Bubbles remains their passion and they are open to the idea of expanding the business and franchising Tapioca Bar. �This product suits malls and stand-alone spots. We are hoping to open some kiosk-style Tapioca Bars in malls and franchising to outlets across the city," says Zahabiya. " We have received many offers and we are deciding on them. We started outdoor catering and it has become very popular." Word-of-mouth publicity has got them wedding orders too.

And if you find that you're not in the mood for bubbly, try bubbles instead!Slurp!