The Boba Phenomenon
Bubble Tea, also known as Boba or Pearl Tea has created quite a stir wherever it is introduced. Each time a new bubble tea shop opens, many quizzical customers peer into the windows and wonder, "What is Bubble Tea?".
The craze known as Boba tea started with humble beginnings in Taiwain in the early 80s. When a tea stand owner was struck with brilliance and decided to add tapioca pearls to their cool, flavored tea drinks a new era was established in drink history. Now, bubble tea shops and stands are becoming as ubiquitous as Starbuck's in some cases. In California, it is not uncommon to see boba tea shops wherever you go.
Most bubble tea is made by adding tapioca pearls ("Boba") to flavored, cool tea. The tapioca lends an interesting new texture to a refreshing drink. It is quite unlike the tapioca pudding many people think of when they hear "tapioca". Most people enjoy it so much they consider themselves "Boba Addicts". Others may prefer the drink without the pearls. Any way you like it, bubble tea is a sweet, refreshing treat.
Some flavors include:
- Almond
- Banana
- Black Milk Tea
- Blue Hawaii
- Blueberry
- Cantaloupe
- Chocolate
- Coconut
- Frozen Granita
- Green Apple
- Green Tea
- Honeydew (Many drinkers favor this one)
- Kiwi
- Lavender Black Tea
- Lychee
- Mango
- Mocha
- Papaya
- Passion Fruit
- Pineapple
- Red Bean
- Rose Black Tea
- Strawberry
- Taro (Sweet Potato)
- Vanila
- Watermelon
For a list of companies that sell Bubble Tea supplies and equipment, check out our list of Bubble tea supplies and equipment distributors.