In a recent interview, Olivia Chen and Pauline Ang, co-founders of the canned boba tea brand Twrl, shared their mission to promote their products in light of recent discussions around cultural appropriation sparked by actor Simu Liu. Liu criticized a Quebec-based entrepreneur for selling boba tea in a way he deemed disconnected from its Taiwanese roots, referring to it as “cultural appropriation.” This controversy has led to new developments for Chen and Ang, as Liu’s investment team expressed interest in potentially investing in Twrl.
Olivia Chen, of Taiwanese-American descent, revealed that after watching Liu on the Canadian show “Dragons’ Den,” she decided to create a TikTok video to highlight that there are other options available in the market, like Twrl. She stated, “I wanted to push for these conversations and educate some people in the process.”
Liu, who is a guest investor on Canada’s CBC show “Dragons’ Den,” remarked on the lack of connection between the entrepreneur’s packaged boba products and their Taiwanese heritage, criticizing their claim of having made the traditional drink “better.” He decided against investing, stating he wanted to support a business that respects and honors the cultural heritage he values. Liu’s comments ignited considerable discussion, leading to the Quebec entrepreneur’s public apology and a withdrawal of investment from backers who had initially pledged a million Canadian dollars.
Chen expressed her concern that the boba tea manufacturer in question seemed to be entering the space simply to capitalize on market opportunities without a genuine love for boba tea. She believes that discussions around these issues can have positive outcomes, saying, “I want to channel the energy that everyone is focused on and ask: ‘Do other entrepreneurs like myself have a chance to rise up?’”
Twrl continues to collaborate with tea farmers from Japan and China, ensuring that their boba ingredients are sourced from Taiwan and that their packaging is designed in collaboration with Asian artists. Their beverages, featuring flavors like ube and hojicha, are available in Sprouts supermarkets, Whole Foods locations across ten states, and on Amazon. Chen mentioned that additional investment could significantly accelerate their marketing efforts, allowing the brand to reach a wider audience.
