Bubble tea has gained worldwide popularity with its unique flavors and chewy tapioca pearls. In the blog post below, we will explore everything you need to know about bubble tea, including its ingredients, how to make it, and its potential health benefits.
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What is Bubble Tea?
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, is a sweet and refreshing drink made by combining tea, milk, and chewy tapioca pearls. It can be served cold or hot and is often customizable with various flavors and toppings. The name "bubble tea" comes from the bubbles that form on top of the drink when it is shaken.
Why Is Bubble Tea So Popular?
Even though bubble tea has been around for a while, in the last few years it has become very popular, and it seems people can't get enough of it.
In fact, the platform Fortune Business Insights estimated that the drink's market was worth a whopping $2.17 billion (£1.76 billion) in 2021, and it is expected to continue expanding.
So why is the drink the subject of such a large buzz? It's hard to say for sure, but a lot of factors, like the wide variety of options, the beverage's taste and vibrant appearance, and the ability for customers to customize their drinks, are probably going to have an impact.
Types of Boba Tea
There are many different types of boba tea, including milk tea, fruit tea, and flavored tea.
- Milk Tea: is the most common type, which is made with black tea, milk, and sugar.
- Flavored Tea: These sweetened teas contain added flavorings but no milk (jasmine green tea, honey black tea).
- Juice: is made with fruit juice or fruit puree instead of milk
How to Make Bubble Tea
Making bubble tea at home is a simple and fun process. Here is a basic recipe for bubble tea:
Bubble Tea Ingredients
The main ingredients for bubble tea are tea, milk, and tapioca pearls. However, other ingredients can be added to customize the flavor, such as fruit juice, fruit puree, or syrups. Some popular toppings include grass jelly, aloe vera cubes, and pudding.
- Ice
- 8-10 tea bags (black, green, or other strong tea of choice)
- 7 cups water plus the necessary quantity for boba balls (see packaging)
- Flavoring syrup (optional)
- 1 bag (8.8 oz) of tapioca pearls
- 2 cups granulated sugar or other sweeteners of desired quantity (optional)
- Whole milk (or a non-dairy option, such as coconut milk, soy milk, or nut milk)
Note: You can also use a convenient bubble tea powder to replace the tea.
Bubble Tea Instructions
- Step 1: Brew the tea of your choice by bringing 6 cups of water to a boil.
- Step 2: Remove the pot from the heat and add tea bags. Let sit until the tea reaches room temperature.
- Step 3: If using flavoring syrup, honey, or a thick sweetener, mix into tea while still warm to enable dissolving.
- Step 4: Make a simple syrup by adding 1 cup of water to a saucepan.
- Step 5: Heat until water is simmering, add in sugar, and stir until dissolved.
- Step 6: Let cool
- Step 7: Prepare the tapioca pearls in a separate pot.
- Step 8: Bring water to a boil (7-10 cups of water for every 1 cup of tapioca pearls)
- Step 9: Add tapioca pearls and cook for around 2-15 minutes (see instructions on bag), and stir occasionally.
- Step 10: Run lukewarm water over pearls, drain, and transfer to a new bowl.
- Step 11: Divide boba pearls between glasses.
- Step 12: Fill each glass with ice.
- Step 13: Pour 1 1/2 cups of tea into each glass.
- Step 14: Add 2-3 tbsp of milk and/or half and half to each glass.
- Step 15: If using a boba milk powder, add a scoop according to the product's instructions.
- Step 16: Stir with a spoon or shake well.
Bubble Tea Toppings
Bubble tea can be topped with various ingredients to add texture and flavor to the drink. Some popular toppings include:
- Tapioca pearls (Crystal Boba, Popping Boba,....)
- Grass jelly
- Aloe vera cubes
- Pudding
- Boba jellies
- Red bean paste
Bubble Tea Flavors
Boba tea flavors range from fruity, sweet options to earthy, herbal options. Black tea, milk, ice, and tapioca pearls are the only ingredients in traditional bubble tea; however, you can add flavor to your beverage by choosing from a variety of boba tea varieties. Here are a few instances:
- Milk tea (original, thai, green, etc.)
- Fruit tea (strawberry, mango, passion fruit, etc.)
- Milkshake tea (chocolate, matcha, taro, etc.)
- Special flavors (rose, lavender, honeydew, taro milk tea, etc.)
Is Bubble Tea Healthy?
Bubble tea can be a healthier alternative to other sweetened beverages, depending on how it is prepared. It is lower in calories and sugar compared to drinks like soda or milkshakes. However, it is still important to consume it in moderation and consider the added sugar from syrups or toppings.
Bubble Tea FAQs
What Is Boba?
Boba, also known as tapioca pearls, are small, chewy balls made from tapioca starch. They are often used in bubble tea but can also be added to other drinks and desserts.
What Is Boba Made of?
Boba is made from tapioca starch, which comes from the cassava root. Sometimes, food coloring and flavoring are added to give it a specific color and taste.
What Is Popping Boba?
Popping boba is a type of boba that contains a small amount of fruit juice or syrup inside. When you bite into it, the juice or syrup "pops" in your mouth, giving an extra burst of flavor.
How to Drink Bubble Tea?
Bubble tea can be enjoyed in various ways, depending on your preference. You can use a straw to sip the drink and chew on the boba pearls, or you can mix everything together and eat the drink with a spoon.
What Is the Difference Between Bubble Tea and Milk Tea?
Bubble tea and milk tea both contain tea and milk, but bubble tea also includes chewy tapioca pearls. Milk tea is typically lighter in flavor and texture, while bubble tea has a more diverse range of flavors and textures due to the added boba pearls and toppings.
