What's not to love about the sensation that is bubble tea? It combines rich and creamy milk-based tea with sweet, chewy pearls that burst with flavor. It's a strange concept, but this phenomenon has caught the attention of many taste buds around the globe.

It has captured the curiosity of many food and drink enthusiasts since its invention in the 80s, and it has more recently experienced a surge in interest on social media. The hashtag 'bubbletea' now has over 2 billion uses on TikTok! But what exactly is bubble tea, where did it come from, and what should you expect when trying it for the first time? 

What Is Bubble Tea?

Bubble tea, also known as boba or pearl milk tea, is a drink made with black tea, ice, milk, sweetener, and of course, the chewy bubble-like tapioca pearls that burst with flavor. It is usually served cold and is typically fruit-flavored. Popular flavors include:

• Plain tea (black tea or jasmine tea)

• Strawberry

• Honeydew Melon

• Mango

• Blueberry

• Passionfruit

However, don't be surprised if you see flavors such as yogurt, cereal, and aloe jelly. You can also add toppings to enhance the flavor. Common toppings include:

• Fresh Fruit

• Ice Cream

• Chia Seeds

• Oats

• Whipped Cream

• Adzuki or Mung Beans

History Of Bubble Tea

Bubble tea is thought to have originated in the late 1980s. Drinking milk tea is common in many regions, including East Asian cultures. Although the origins of boba are debated, it's likely that it originated in Taiwan, where ice shards and tapioca balls (pearl-like balls made with cassava starch) are common desserts. It's no surprise that ice, tapioca balls, and milk tea were eventually combined to create the fruity beverage we know and love today.

Over time bubble tea in Taiwan evolved to include the addition of fruit flavorings and sweeteners. Eventually, the dairy milk from the tea was swapped out to use a plant-based alternative, which adds to the creaminess and compliments the sweetness of this fruity drink.

After gaining fame in Asia, bubble teas were most likely brought over to the U.S. by Taiwanese immigrants in the 1990s. It may be surprising to some that this chewable tea soared to popularity within western cultures so easily, as it does sound like a peculiar mix of ingredients. There are now over 3,390 bubble tea stores in the U.S. alone. With larger corporations capitalizing on the popularity of this drink and bringing it to the masses in the early 2010s, including brands such as Boba Guys.  

How Bubble Tea Is Made 

It's probably not hard to find bubble tea in your local mall. However, there is always an option to make this drink at home should you fancy the challenge (although we reckon it's pretty straightforward, and you shouldn't have trouble recreating this summery drink at home).

Ingredients In Bubble Tea

Chewy Tapioca Balls/Pearls
Find these in the freezer aisle of your local Asian supermarket.

Tea
Ideal Chinese tea, but any black tea is sufficient. Brew with hot water, a little over 1 cup per serving.

Syrups/Sweetener
Such as brown sugar syrup or honey.

Non-Dairy Milk
Choose your favorite milk (nut and soy milks work great) or use a half and half mix of plant-based milk and creamer.

Ice
Should you wish to drink your bubble tea cold. 

Try This Great Drink

Now that you know more about what bubble tea actually is and the origins of boba. You may be excited to try a drink or discover some novel flavors.

What's your favorite bubble tea flavor? Please leave a comment about what you think about this drink or send us a message on Instagram. We'd love to chat about all things food with you!