Review

Ten One Teahouse occupies a corner unit at the intersection of Gloucester Street and Newbury Street, on the upper level.

From the outside, the shop presents a rather unwelcoming facade: the door had two deadbolts and a shim-protected lock cover. Fortunately, the interior was far warmer. There was high-top seating along the perimeter and a central island. One of my favorite things about the space was its charming logo and whimsical theme. A large wall opposite the counter featured an adorable mural of a squirrel army manufacturing drinks. The cohesive branding and attention to detail gave the shop a relaxed and cozy vibe. The temperature and humidity were both well controlled.

Orders were placed at one of two automated kiosks, and they appeared to accept online orders as well. During my visit, a single employee was responsible for preparing all the drinks, and she seemed fairly overwhelmed. Our group of four waited about 15 minutes to receive our beverages, likely because she was also handling a queue of online orders.

I was impressed with the equipment and the variety of boba available. They offered four types: Brown Sugar Boba, White Honey Boba, Blue Butterfly Boba, and Dragon Fruit Boba. The shop also featured what appeared to be tea on tap—a level of beverage tech I didn’t know existed. Even more exciting was their unusually large selection of osmanthus drinks.

I ordered a large “Ten One Milk Green Tea” with Brown Sugar Boba and Green Tea Jelly for a total of $8.75. I was both excited and slightly disappointed: the ordering system let me choose the type of milk used, but the options were limited to whole milk, lactose-free milk, and oat milk. I would have loved to see a skim or 2% option. Still, the ability to choose milk at all is a rare and appreciated feature.

The drink itself was excellent. Although it cost the same as San Chen, it was roughly twice the size, making it a much better value. The green tea jelly was the best I’ve had so far—super firm with a great texture. The boba was also outstanding; it seems they add extra sugar to the mix, as one might expect from something called “Brown Sugar Boba.”

Pros

• Excellent tea with a wide variety of options
• Surprisingly high-tech: tea on tap
• Four distinct types of boba, including some rare flavors
• Comfortable atmosphere with well-controlled temperature and humidity

Cons

• Extensive menu slows down service when understaffed
• Prices are on the higher side for casual boba

Overall

Ten One Teahouse is a great choice, especially if you're looking to try some more exotic flavors.