The History of Boba Tea:
Origins and Popularity

Origins

Boba tea (also called bubble tea) is a tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. It most commonly consists of tea accompanied by chewy tapioca balls ("boba" or "pearls"), but it can be made with other toppings as well such as grass jelly, aloe vera, red bean, etc.

The oldest known bubble tea drink consisted of a mixture of hot Taiwanese black tea, tapioca pearls, condensed milk, and syrup or honey. Now, bubble tea is most commonly served cold. The tapioca pearls that make bubble tea so unique were originally made from the starch of the cassava, a tropical shrub known for its starchy roots which was introduced to Taiwan from South America during Japanese colonial rule. Larger pearls quickly replaced these.

Popularity

Bubble tea can take on any flavor you like. Tea houses often offer hundreds of variations. Some classic types of bubble tea that can be found on every tea house menu include:

• Milk Tea: A refreshing combination of brewed black tea, milk, and (optional) tapioca pearls.
• Thai Tea: A strong black tea combined with sweetened condensed milk and studded with (optional) tapioca pearls.
• Taro Tea: Incorporates puréed taro, a purple root similar to sweet potato that has a toasty, sweet flavor.
• Fruit Tea: A fresh fruit-based tea with your choice of boba that is often caffeine-free.