No, it’s not bubble gum! Rather, it is bubble tea. If this
term sounds strange to you, let’s take a look at the
origins of bubble tea and the place it holds in society
today.
Are you matcha bubble tea wondering how bubble tea got its “bubbly”
name? Well, this is because when it is shaken it
produces a frothy, bubbly texture. Bubble tea is a
combination of iced or hot black or green sweetened
tea with either milk or fruit flavors added to it.
Therefore, there are two types of bubble tea – fruit-
flavored bubble tea and milk bubble tea.
The milky bubble teas can be enjoyed with dairy or
non-dairy creamers. On the other hand, fruit bubble
tea has a wide variety of flavoring that can be added
to it – including the tastes of chocolate, coconut, passion
fruit, and strawberry. These flavors can be added to
the bubble tea as a powder-like substance, juice,
syrup or pulp. After all of the extras are added to it,
the tea is then shaken in a cocktail shaker or put in a
blender.
Gum-like balls made of cooked tapioca (often referred
to as yam starch in Asia) can be added to the bubble
tea drink. These balls are sometimes also referred to
as “pearls” or “Boba”. They sink to the bottom of the
teacup, and are sipped through a wide straw along
with the drink.
They have a diameter of about six millimeters or less,
and are meant to give the drinker something to chew
on between sips of tea. The tapioca pearls have little
taste to them, but are typically soaked in sugar or
honey after being boiled for a half of an hour. They are
typically good to use for up to seven hours after they
are prepared.