“What acknowledgment is there for this deeply Asian beverage?”

This was the key concern for Simu Liu during a recent episode of CBC’s “Dragons’ Den,” which is akin to “Shark Tank” in Canada. A bubble tea brand from Quebec named Bobba showcased their version of this “popular, sugary drink” in their pitch, stating that consumers often feel “uncertain about its ingredients.”

Liu, who identifies as Chinese-Canadian, intervened, saying: “Wait a minute, I have clarity on its ingredients.”

Bubble tea, originating from Taiwan, features a tea base combined with chewy tapioca pearls (“boba” or “pearls”) and has surged in global popularity. Although the entrepreneurs expressed intentions to revolutionize the drink into a more accessible and healthier ready-to-drink format, Liu described this as “alarming” and an instance of cultural appropriation.

“I have concerns about this notion of altering bubble tea,” Liu remarked. “There’s a problem with taking something that has a distinctly Asian identity and attempting to ‘enhance’ it.” The clip from that moment has gained millions of views online, igniting critical discussions about cultural appropriation and the manner in which those who highlight it are treated.

Simu has also called for an end to any harassment directed at the entrepreneurs, who issued a statement on TikTok later on Sunday.

“We will review our branding, packaging, and marketing strategies to ensure they accurately and respectfully represent our partnership with Taiwanese culture and the origins of bubble tea,” they stated. “Additionally, we will commit to learning more about the implications of cultural appropriation to work effectively in a cross-cultural manner.”

Understanding ‘cultural appropriation’

Dr. Neal Lester, who leads the Humanities program at Arizona State University, previously described “cultural appropriation” to YSL News as “the act of taking something from another culture without permission and benefiting from it.”

Cultural appropriation can often manifest as the use of cultural symbols inappropriately, such as donning a Native American headdress for costume purposes.

Conversely, “cultural appreciation” involves seeking to learn about another culture to deepen one’s understanding and foster connections across cultures, as outlined by Greenheart.org, a group that promotes cultural exchange initiatives.

The long-standing exploitation of cultural practices by corporations

“We adapted the Asian version and incorporated fruit and juice,” one entrepreneur claimed to the investors. When Liu asked who on their team was connected to the cultural aspect, they referenced a partner in Taiwan. Liu highlighted that their product’s can lacked any recognition of boba’s origins or Taiwanese heritage.

Melvin Williams, a communication and media studies professor at Pace University, emphasizes that this exemplifies a broader trend of businesses profiting from cultural artifacts, traditions, and experiences without proper acknowledgment.

“While the owners of Bobba can market their products to mass audiences and make profits without consequences, the real creators of these Asian cultural practices will likely find their attempts to ‘disrupt’ bubble tea highly offensive and misinformed,” says Williams. “Liu’s comments provided a crucial lesson in recognizing the harmful effects of cultural appropriation and advocating for educational and entrepreneurial integrity.”

Viewers rushed to comment on the viral video clips to highlight a larger issue. The reluctance of other investors to engage with Liu’s concerns was notable, yet they hurriedly chose to invest in the product nonetheless.

“The responses to Simu and his valid feelings and truths immediately turned me against the others,” commented @xmarissaaaaj.

Another user, @sdmpurple, noted, “The other investors should apologize to Simu for dismissing his genuine concerns.”

Since then, Dragon Manjit Minhas has decided to withdraw her investment offer.

Liu stated that one of his aspirations as an investor is to support businesses led by minority entrepreneurs. He chose not to invest because, while interested in promoting boba, he wouldn’t want to do so in this manner.

“This doesn’t uplift minority entrepreneurs,” Liu asserted. “I feel as though I’d be supporting a business profiting from something that is so important to my cultural heritage.”