Equestrain rider Laurentia Tan, now 33, has just won a bronze in the Paralympics Grade IA individual championship dressage test, Singapore’s first medal at the London Paralympic Games. She first made news for winning Singapore’s first medal at the Paralympics Games at Beijing 2008. It was also Asia’s first Paralympics equestrian medal.

Doctors once diagnosed her as ‘spastic’ and unable to walk, and told her parents that she would lead a life of a vegetable. Laurentia has come a lot way in overcoming all odds to achieve her dreams. Even though she was profoundly deaf, she performed on form in competitive world riding competitions where she was cued by music!

While eating can be a straightforward task to many, it is a challenge to Laurentia who had developed cerebral palsy due a complication of jaundice after birthday.

However, she did not let this condition handicap her and just laughed about it, “I am always striving to do things that the ‘able bodied’ can do… and that includes using chopsticks, especially when everyone else is using them!”

For many years, she was not able to use the usual chopsticks, and had to use special ones that were joined at the top. She was seldom successful as they were often not strong or flexible enough, and would end up breaking numerous pairs.

But nevertheless, she was determined to use the normal chopsticks in what she thought were weird and wonderful ways.

It first started with fishballs where she would poke a single chopstick through them. And when it came to eating her favourite prawns, the chopstick would go through the middle of the prawn, as though it was curling around the stick.

Alternatively, she would use the two chopsticks like a spoon and try to balance meat on two chopsticks, rather than holding it in between.

It was until in her late teens that she thought she tried using chopsticks with her left hand instead (even though she was right handed), and there was that “Eureka!” moment.

While many of us would just give up after failures, she opened my eyes on how we can always work around things and not allow ourselves to be beaten.

When asked about food, she would sparkle at the thought of her love of seafood such as lobsters and crabs. However, she doesn’t crave for them that much as she could get them fairly easily at London where she is based.

The one thing she would really love to have is a simple Chwee Kueh, which she would describe as little steamed rice cakes with salted vegetable on top.

“I still think of my Ah Gong fondly whenever I eat Chwee Kueh…”

She warmly remembers how her paternal grandfather would go to the market in the mornings to bring home breakfast for the family. Sadly he had passed away, but memories will stay.

Unfortunately, the Seletar Chwee Kueh that she used to have a child is no longer available after the market was demolished. She promised herself that she would try the famous ones at Tiong Bahru the next time she comes back.

Indeed, the Handmade Taro Fresh Milk ($5.40) is the next best thing I have tried at ShareTea, other than the original classic milk bubble tea. Loved that it is not overly sweet or thick, and that it has bite-sized yam bits to ‘play’ with while drinking.

Daniel's Food Diary speaks to Ms Hong Ke Jia, owner of ShareTea Singapore to share her bubbletea experiences.

Why did you decide to bring ShareTea to Singapore?
In May 2010, one of our shareholders came across ShareTea in Hongkong and decided to give it a try as she was intrigued by the long queue at the outlet. She ordered the Red Bean Milk Tea and was won over by the taste.

After her memorable experience, we decided to do a market research on ShareTea and we discovered that the brand was in more than one way different from the bubble teas we know.

The bubbletea competition in Singapore is tough. There is Koi, Gong Cha, A-Gan Tea, Artease Café and many brands. How is ShareTea different from other brands then?
For example, ShareTea offers a fresh fruit tea series using fresh fruit juices. The juices are first frozen below 40 degree Celsius before being exported to various countries. They are later defrosted at the outlets prior to use so consumers are assured of authenticity and quality.

Using real fruit juice in bubble teas is uncommon in Singapore’s market as fruit concentrate or syrups are often added as an alternative because it may cost less and is easier to obtain.

ShareTea sells many types of drinks, over 50 items in the menu – the classic Taiwanese bubble tea, Yakult drink, fruit teas, fresh milk and a filling QQ Happy Family Tea with six different toppings all in one cup. What is your personal favourite flavour?
That’s a tough question, the list can get really long!My latest favourite is our Winter Melon Series, specifically Wintermelon Lime and Wintermelon with Sea Salt Crème, which will be launched in the month of July.

And I understand that you also concoct special beverages for organisations. That’s quite unheard of in the bubbletea world.
That is for SAFRA’s 40th anniversary which got me totally hooked. It is a blend of strawberry and lime. The strawberry red colour of the drink symbolises SAFRA’s 40 sweet Ruby years, while the slight tartness from the lime gives the drink a refreshing after taste.

What is the top selling bubbletea flavour in Singapore?
ShareTea’s bestselling beverages from the milk tea range include the Pearl Milk Tea and Homemade Pudding Milk Tea. Most consumers tend to opt for milk teas as they seek familiar flavours.

How about the non-milk tea series?
The Aloha Fruit Tea, Ume Plum Fruit Tea and Honey Aloe Vera make up the top 3 spots.

Tell us something about the differences between the ShareTea bubble tea in Singapore and Taiwan.
The R&D team is dedicated to conjuring localised concoctions that suit Singaporeans’ palate and lifestyle. One of our latest beverage additions includes the “No-Tea” (Non-Caffeinated) series which we designed for young children and pregnant ladies who may want to avoid caffeine. With these efforts, bubble tea enthusiasts can definitely look forward to more exclusive and exciting drinks to come.

ShareTea Giveaway [Contest Ended]!
To celebrate the opening of three new outlets at Great World City, Jurong Point and JCube, ShareTea would be giving away 3 sets of $20 vouchers to 3 lucky Daniel’s Food Diary readers.

Leave a comment below to say you have done so. Results will be announced next Mon 9 July 2012. Contest winners must be addressees of Singapore to facilitate postage.

Other Related Entries
Share Tea (Wisma)
The Battle of the Bubble Teas
HK Gong Cha v SG Gong Cha
Koi Bubbletea (Toa Payoh)
Woobbee (Tanjong Pagar)

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