What is bubble tea? What the drink consists of and how to prepare it?
The fashion for a tea drink with sweet balls came from Asia, after which it was loved all over the world, including Russia. Interest in the treat is growing: it is expected that in 2024 the world market of bubble tea will reach $2.63 billion. We found out what bubble tea is made of, where you can try this drink and how to make it yourself.
What is bubble tea
Bubble tea (or boba tea) is a delightful drink that combines tea, milk, and chewy candies made of tapioca or fruit jelly. This beverage was invented in Taiwan, though the exact details of its origin are somewhat obscure.
According to one popular tale, in the 1980s, the owner of a teahouse in downtown Taichung encouraged his staff to experiment with different drink flavors. One innovative employee proposed adding tapioca balls, a favored dessert in Southeast Asia, to their teas.
Another story attributes the invention of bubble tea to a teahouse founder in Tainan, inspired by a local market stall where an elderly woman sold starch balls in sugar water.
As bubble tea spread globally, thanks to Asian diasporas in cities like New York, London, and Berlin, it began to gain recognition in the West during the 2000s. The drink has since become widely popular, with tea shops proliferating worldwide, akin to how online casinos like Slotozen
have expanded. Slotozen is known for offering a vast array of slots games, providing a fun and engaging experience much like the diverse flavors of bubble tea.
What bubble tea looks like: photo
Bubble tea is poured into transparent wide-mouth glasses with a volume of 350-700 ml, sealed with plastic film. Usually the drink has a delicate coffee colour, with dark brown tapioca balls visible at the bottom of the container. Alternative versions can be different colours depending on the additives. Sometimes the boba is decorated with an airy cap of cream cheese and cream. The tea is drunk through a wide straw that lets the tapioca balls pass through.
What flavours does boba tee come in
Boba ti in the original version has the flavour of tea with milk and sugar, the zest is given by edible jelly balls. When preparing the drink, baristas experiment with types of tea and milk, replacing it with soya, nut or lactose-free milk.
Sometimes bubble tee is made with coffee or cocoa. In addition to the dairy version, there is also a fruit version – with juice and puree added. Among the most popular flavours of bubble tea are strawberry, matcha, mango, burnt sugar and taro (an Asian plant with edible tubers that gives the drink its purple colour).
Bubble tee balls
According to the original recipe, bubble tea balls are made from tapioca, a starch derived from cassava tubers. In the XVI century, Europeans brought this plant from South America to Africa and began to grow it to make flour. The product then travelled to Asia, where it was used to improve the flavour and texture of dishes, as well as in the preparation of desserts. Over time, people came up with the idea of making small balls of tapioca, which became the basis for bubble tea.
Also added to the drink are jus-balls (popping boba), which are made from seaweed extract, fruit juice, water and sweetener. The resulting bubbles are gel-coated bubbles that burst in the mouth when pressed. Sometimes jelly, which is cut into small pieces, is used as the base for bubble tees.
What a bubble tee is made of and how many calories are in it
Classic boba tee is made from tea, milk, sugar syrup and tapioca balls. Berries and fruits, juices, coffee, matcha, and syrups are also added to the tea. An average 490ml serving of a standard 490ml brown sugar-based bubble tea contains:
- 270 calories;
- carbohydrates – 45 grams;
- fat – 7 grams;
- protein – 6 grams;
- fibre – 0 grams.
These are approximate figures. The final caloric content depends on the ratio of ingredients and the presence of toppings.
Bubble Tea Ingredients
- black leaf tea;
- milk (to taste);
- tapioca balls
- sugar
- water
- ice
How to make Bubble Tea
- Prepare the syrup: mix the water and sugar in a saucepan in a 1:1 ratio, place over medium heat and wait for the sugar to dissolve.
- In a separate container, boil the tapioca according to the instructions on the packet: the cooking time depends on the size and type of balls. Make sure they do not stick to the bottom and walls. Cool the cooked tapioca with cold water. Or buy ready-made jus balls, they are sold in speciality shops and on marketplaces.
- Brew the tea for 15-20 minutes, cool and strain.
- In a large glass, mix 2-3 tablespoons of the balls and half of the sugar syrup. Then add ice and 200 ml of tea.
- Pour in the milk (3 tablespoons or to taste) and top with the rest of the syrup.
This is a classic bubble tee recipe, however you can experiment with any ingredients. Black tea can easily be replaced with milk oolong, rooibos or green tea with jasmine, coffee, cocoa or matcha, and regular milk can be replaced with alternative milk or fruit juice. You can add syrups with different flavours, condensed milk, caramel, jam and other toppings.
The Popularity of Bubble Tea
Bubble tea, with its unique combination of flavors and textures, has rapidly become a global phenomenon. This sweet and chewy drink has managed to capture the hearts of people worldwide, particularly among younger audiences. The rise in social media, especially platforms like Instagram and TikTok, has helped fuel the drink’s popularity. Colorful drinks adorned with tapioca pearls, fruit jellies, and innovative toppings have become an Instagram staple. Each post of a beautifully prepared bubble tea helps spread awareness and makes it even more desirable.
The popularity of bubble tea can be attributed to its customizability. From the base (tea, coffee, or fruit juice) to the type of milk (dairy, soy, almond, or oat milk), and an array of toppings (tapioca balls, popping boba, fruit, and jellies), bubble tea offers endless combinations. This flexibility means that people with different tastes, dietary needs, and preferences can enjoy the drink in their own way.
Additionally, bubble tea shops often provide options to adjust the sugar level and ice quantity, catering to those who prefer either a sweeter or more health-conscious version of the drink. This adaptability has made bubble tea a go-to beverage for many who seek both variety and personalized options.
Health Considerations of Bubble Tea
While bubble tea is undeniably delicious, it’s worth noting the health implications of regularly consuming the beverage, particularly in its classic form, which tends to be high in sugar and calories. The sweeteners, syrups, and condensed milk used in some versions contribute to its high-calorie content, and the tapioca pearls themselves are primarily starch, which can spike blood sugar levels.
A standard 490 ml serving of bubble tea can contain around 270 calories, with 45 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of fat, and 6 grams of protein. However, the exact nutritional content can vary depending on the ingredients used. For those watching their calorie intake, switching to unsweetened tea, using sugar substitutes, or opting for smaller portions of tapioca pearls can help reduce the calorie load.
Another health consideration is the lack of fiber in traditional bubble tea. The drink often contains little to no fiber, making it less filling despite its caloric density. This could lead to overconsumption, especially when bubble tea is treated as a snack or dessert.
To make bubble tea a bit healthier, many shops and home recipes now offer lighter versions of the drink, including sugar-free syrups, non-dairy milk options, and healthier toppings like chia seeds or fresh fruit.
Bubble Tea and the Future of Beverage Trends
The future of bubble tea looks promising, with experts predicting continued growth in its global market. Innovations in flavors, ingredients, and presentation are likely to keep bubble tea at the forefront of global beverage trends. As consumer demand evolves, so will the need for healthier and more sustainable versions of the drink.
One area where bubble tea is likely to see innovation is in the realm of health-conscious products. With more people looking for ways to reduce sugar and artificial additives in their diets, bubble tea shops may focus on developing lower-calorie, nutrient-rich alternatives. For example, introducing superfoods like chia seeds, matcha, or spirulina as ingredients could provide a health boost without sacrificing flavor.
Furthermore, technological advances are likely to change the way bubble tea is consumed. From bubble tea vending machines to personalized drinks ordered through apps, the experience of ordering and enjoying bubble tea could become even more interactive. This fusion of technology and beverage culture is already taking hold in parts of Asia, where customers can watch robots prepare their drinks or customize their orders down to the smallest detail through digital kiosks.
Conclusion
Bubble tea, once a niche beverage from Taiwan, has transcended cultural boundaries to become a global phenomenon. With its unique combination of flavors, textures, and endless customization options, it has captured the hearts of people worldwide. While the drink’s popularity continues to grow, so too does awareness of its health and environmental impacts, leading to innovations in healthier ingredients and sustainable practices.
Whether enjoyed in its traditional form or as part of new and exciting recipes, bubble tea is here to stay, offering a unique drinking experience that perfectly reflects the evolving landscape of global food and beverage culture. As it continues to expand and evolve, bubble tea will likely remain a favorite for years to come, blending the familiar with the exotic, the traditional with the innovative.
Bubble Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- black leaf tea
- milk to taste;
- 3 tablespoons tapioca balls
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons water
- ice
Instructions
- Prepare the syrup: mix the water and sugar in a saucepan in a 1:1 ratio, place over medium heat and wait for the sugar to dissolve.
- In a separate container, boil the tapioca according to the instructions on the packet: the cooking time depends on the size and type of balls. Make sure they do not stick to the bottom and walls. Cool the cooked tapioca with cold water. Or buy ready-made jus balls, they are sold in speciality shops and on marketplaces.
- Brew the tea for 15-20 minutes, cool and strain.
- In a large glass, mix 2-3 tablespoons of the balls and half of the sugar syrup. Then add ice and 200 ml of tea.
- Pour in the milk (3 tablespoons or to taste) and top with the rest of the syrup.
