what is bubble tea?

bubble tea, also known as boba tea, is a type of tea-based drink that is made with brewed tea, milk and/or juice, sweetener and "pearls", which are chewy balls of tapioca starch. Originating in Taiwan, bubble tea has become increasing popular worldwide and can now be found in cafes, restaurants and even convenience stores.

The base of bubble tea can be black tea, green tea, oolong tea, jasmine tea or any other type of tea. This tea is brewed and sweetened with a sweetener such as simple syrup, honey or artificial sweetener. Milk and/or juice, such as coconut milk, almond milk and lychee juice, are added to create a creamy, sweet and refreshing drink.

The "pearls" in bubble tea are made from tapioca starch, which is a type of carbohydrate derived from the cassava root. These tapioca pearls are boiled and chewy, and come in various sizes. Once cooking is complete, the pearls can be flavored with sugar and food coloring to create a variety of vibrant colors.

Bubble tea is usually served ice cold over a heaping pile of ice to create a refreshing beverage. To enjoy bubble tea, customers use an extra-wide straw to suck up both the liquid and the pearls at the same time.

Bubble tea bars and cafes offer customizations with each drink, such as different tea bases, pearls, flavors and amounts of sugar. Additionally, some places also offer a variety of add-ins, such as green apple cubes, aloe vera jelly, grass jelly, fruit popping pearls and more.