How Lora Aboulmouna Built Eat Bubbles, Nashville’s Bubble Tea Destination

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TLDR

Walk into Eat Bubbles in Nashville, and you notice the details first. Soft light blue tones meet warm wooden accents. Shelves are filled with small decorative touches that make the space feel personal. The menu is both comforting and adventurous. Between the clink of ice in a matcha latte and the laughter of friends enjoying Hojicha flights, you find the heart of the place: founder Lora Aboulmouna.

Her love for bubble tea began over ten years ago during a visit to her twin sister in New York. A stroll through Chinatown and a first sip of boba was all it took. That spark grew into curiosity, then into a mission. Over the years, Lora traveled through Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. She learned from farmers, tasted dozens of brews, and explored the traditions that gave bubble tea its soul. These experiences shaped the vision for her own shop back in Nashville.

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Crafting Bubble Tea with Purpose

Eat Bubbles is built on authenticity and sustainability, two values that guide every decision in the shop. Lora works closely with her mother, Nada, to create recipes that feel both familiar and new. This partnership is rooted in years of family tradition. As a child, Lora watched her mother grow herbs in the garden and brew fresh teas on the stove. That early experience now inspires the flavors poured into every cup.

The syrups are made on-site in small batches using organic, fair trade ingredients. There are no artificial colors or additives, allowing the natural taste of each tea to shine. The leaves are sourced directly from farmers in Taiwan and Japan, many of whom Lora met during her travels. These partnerships ensure that the teas are not only high quality but also responsibly grown.

Sustainability is part of the shop’s identity. Straws are made from bamboo, sturdy enough to last the whole drink but gentle on the planet. Compost Nashville collects the shop’s organic waste, keeping it out of landfills. Even the packaging is carefully chosen to minimize environmental impact.