BOBA
Boba milk tea is a drink that originated in Taiwan in the 1980’s, typically consisting of a milk tea blend filled with sweet and chewy bite-sized balls made from tapioca starch. Across the US, this drink also goes by the names “bubble milk tea,” to describe the foam floating above a well-shook drink, and “pearl milk tea,” or “tapioca milk tea” after the tapioca balls.
In order for us to enjoy these tapioca balls along with the drink, wide drinking straws are provided with every cup. Drinking methods vary from person to person. You may finish drinking the tea first, then devour the remaining pile of boba balls sitting the bottom of the cup, or actively hunt for each and every boba ball before the tea runs out.
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| Photo courtesy of Getty Images |
In order for us to enjoy these tapioca balls along with the drink, wide drinking straws are provided with every cup. Drinking methods vary from person to person. You may finish drinking the tea first, then devour the remaining pile of boba balls sitting the bottom of the cup, or actively hunt for each and every boba ball before the tea runs out.
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| Photo courtesy of The Foodist |
ADD-ONS
In addition to tapioca balls, boba tea may also include “add-ons” to give a wider range of texture and flavor. Anything tasty and small enough to fit through a boba straw is fair game. They may be pudding, flavored jelly cubes, colored or clear boba balls, or fruit bits such as mango, peach, kiwi, strawberry, lychee, and more.
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| Photo courtesy of AliExpress |
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| Photo courtesy of Recipe Dose |
Served hot, cold, or in slush form, boba drinks are fully customizable to satisfy even the pickiest of drinkers
TEA
The standard boba milk tea uses a combination of black tea and creamer, but other types of tea are used as well. Green tea is a popular alternative, along with Thai Tea and Earl Grey. For people who need a jolt of energy from their drink, coffee can also be added.
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| Photo courtesy of Yelp |
FLAVORS
As good as milk tea already is on its own, it can be enhanced with a countless variety of flavors. Sweet or tangy fruit flavors can be added in the form of syrup. Examples include apple, mango, lemon, honeydew, kiwi, lychee, coconut, and peach. Non-fruit flavors are plentiful as well, including chocolate, pudding, almond, rose, caramel, and more.
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| Photo courtesy of lasrecetascocina.com and yaplakal.com |
BOBA STORES
In Southern California, countless stores are already serving boba milk tea drinks. Some of the more popular franchises like Tapioca Express, Lollicup, and Tea Station, own more than thirty-four branches in California alone. Lollicup and Tapioca Express offers a wide choice of drinks while Tea Station focuses on a healthier selection. Boba drinks don't taste the same everywhere you go so go out there and explore!
