Bubble Tea: 10 Surprising Facts

1

The origin

Street vendors saw the demand for refreshing drinks and invented bubble tea.

2

popularity

Bubble tea originated in Taiwan and has spread to countries worldwide, with over 800 shops in the U.S. and in 30 other countries.

3

The name

Bubble tea has different names in different countries, including "boba" which means "big breasts" in Mandarin. The name refers to the foam on the surface, not the pearls added.

4

EVEN MCDONALD’S GOT IN ON IT

McDonald's offered bubble tea for a month in its 800 German locations in 2012, featuring 252 possible combinations of tea, milk, syrup, boba, and jelly.

5

ADULTS DRINK BUBBLE TEA, TOO

Bubble tea isn't just for kids, it's like iced tea but more fun.

6

THE TEA IS SERVED IN A SEALED CUP

Bubble tea can be served in cups that are completely sealed with plastic cellophane, allowing vigorous shaking and spill-free drinking until you pierce the seal.

7

TAPIOCA PEARLS CAN BE BROWN OR WHITE

Bubble tea pearls are made from cassava starch, rolled into balls with white or brown variations. Brown pearls may contain harmful dyes like caramel coloring.

8

BOBA ARE SUPER CHEWY

Boba are boiled for 3 hours with sugar for a smooth, soft consistency like gummy bears, and can become mushy if overcooked or hard if undercooked.

9

YOU CAN ORDER IT WITHOUT THE TAPIOCA  PEARLS

Yes, You can order it with the tropical pearls.

10

DAIRY MILK OR NON-DAIRY?

Milk is a crucial part of bubble tea, and can be dairy or non-dairy. It's important to use fresh milk rather than canned, condensed milk which is heavy and artificially sweetened.