News archive

Study Cafe Riyadh: What Actually Makes a Spot Work for Long Sessions

A week into Riyadh's new school term, a genuinely study-friendly cafe comes down to wifi, seating, noise levels and hours, not just the drink on the table.

Sugar Levels and the Search for Healthier Bubble Tea in the Gulf

China's top tea chains post mixed H1 profits as Gulf sugar taxes and menu rules take hold. What sweetness levels like 50 percent actually control in a cup.

Ube Purple Milk Tea Trend Goes Viral: What It Means for Menus

The ube purple milk tea trend is going viral again after a Starbucks China launch. What the purple yam craze could mean for bubble tea menus in the Gulf.

Saudi School Year 2026 Opens Today, Resetting Riyadh's Morning Rhythm

Saudi Arabia's 2026 to 2027 school year begins today for Riyadh, resetting the city's morning drop-off and afternoon pickup rhythm for the semester ahead.

How Fresh Fruit Tea Is Built as Gulf Summer Heat Holds Into Late August

How fresh fruit tea is built: matching fruit to tea base and balancing sweetness against acid, as Gulf temperatures stay near seasonal highs in late August.

Gong Cha Sale to Bain Capital Marks a Reset for Bubble Tea Deals

Bain Capital is buying bubble tea chain Gong Cha for about 4.2 billion yuan, well below its April asking price, a sign of maturing bubble tea consolidation.

Saudi Schools Reopen August 23 as Riyadh's Back-to-School Season Peaks

Saudi Arabia's 2026-2027 school year opens August 23, and Riyadh is resetting for back to school season, from stationery shelves to weekday cafe routines.

Thai Tapioca Export Prices Jump 47% as Bubble Tea Supply Chain Tightens

Thai FOB Bangkok tapioca starch prices rose 47 percent since January 2026, tightening bubble tea's supply chain from Southeast Asian cassava fields to the Gulf.

Ar Rabi's Cafes Become the Default Meeting Point for Riyadh's Young Professionals

As Riyadh's dining and retail economy expands, cafes in north Riyadh districts like Ar Rabi are turning into informal meeting spots for coworkers and friends after work.

Riyadh Metro Line 7 First Phase Targets 2026 Construction Start

Saudi Arabia aims to begin building Riyadh Metro Line 7 in 2026, a 65-kilometer line linking Diriyah Gate to Qiddiya, as its tender process nears a contract award.

Cold Brew Tea Gains Ground in Cairo as Egypt's Heat Wave Persists

Cold brew tea's slow, all-cold steeping method is gaining notice in Cairo as Egypt's heat wave holds daytime highs near 40 degrees Celsius this month.

Saudi Arabia's New Public Art Rules Arrive as Riyadh's Art Cafes Grow

Saudi Arabia's Visual Arts Commission has released new national guidelines for public art, arriving as Riyadh's JAX District cements its art cafe scene.

Al Hamra's Family Weekend Rhythm Holds Before Riyadh Schools Reopen

Saudi public schools return August 23, and Riyadh's Al Hamra district is spending its last summer weekends between neighborhood parks, its mall and family cafes.

Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah Draws Crowds With Free Entry Through September

Diriyah's Bujairi Terrace, Riyadh's heritage dining district by At-Turaif, draws crowds under free entry through September 30 and a new Lebanese restaurant.

Middle East RTD Tea Market to Grow 8.9 Percent a Year to 2031

The Middle East's ready-to-drink tea market is worth 227 million dollars in 2026, led by Saudi Arabia and growing fastest in Qatar, new market data shows.