The Origins of Bubble Tea
Bubble tea, or “Boba” tea, is a trendy tea fascination that has been steadily growing in popularity across the globe over the course of the past decade. Even if you have not yet had the opportunity to try this sweet treat, you may have seen it offered at cafes or kiosks popping up at your local mall or shopping district. This sometimes brightly colored beverage, served cold in a plastic cup with a lid and straw, differs dramatically in appearance from traditional tea. So how did it evolve, and what is “boba”?
In 1980s Taiwan, milk tea (black tea steeped extra strong with milk or cream) was a popular street beverage. It is unclear who first thought to add boba (tapioca balls popular in Taiwanese desserts such as puddings and custards) to tea, but when they were combined, a taste sensation was born.
The beverage was initially less sweet, but as the tapioca balls reminded consumers of desserts, the milk in the milk tea was sweetened or replaced with sweet alternatives. Likewise, what was once a drink made with plain black tea blossomed with popularity into many flavors including lychee, matcha, and even strawberry. There are dozens of varieties to enjoy!
Making “boba” is easy, which has positively impacted the popularity of the beverage. The tapioca balls are boiled for a long time until they become soft and chewy, providing a unique texture and candy treat in the bottom of the cup when sipping the tea. There are even special straws that were developed for sipping up the boba.
Over time, as the beverage has become more popular, people have added other ingredient variants like bursting juice pearls or jelly, but the original boba is a classic choice and remains the most popular addition.
The United States is not the only country to get in on the bubble tea craze! It has expanded beyond Taiwan and can be found in China, Japan as well as across Asia. Different regional flavors have popped up in various places, from red bean paste to custard jelly.
To give this unique tea dessert with an interesting history a try, join us next week to learn how to make bubble tea at home!