Where did bubble tea begin - and why has it become so popular - we deep dive into this chewy drink made for Instagram. But why is the tea product growing in popularity? And while this beverage is exceptionally “grammable,” there’s just one problem with this popular drink. Super cute interior. So bubble tea, boba tea and pearl milk tea all mean the same thing. Bubble tea can be found nationwide, from mall food courts to the drink menus of high-end restaurants But its origins are in Taiwan. It was so addictive and sweet, I thought I was going to get diabetes. Bubble tea can give you instant energy. I went with ‘a little.’ A customised, revitalising drink and meal in one. It's just so good. "A lot of people when they see the toppings go 'Oh, that’s bubble tea!' The first tapioca balls used were very small, roughly pea-sized, hence the name "pearl milk tea." In her spare time, she enjoys playing water polo, the flute, and watching Netflix. Your email address will not be published. This confectionery drink originated from Taiwan and quickly became famous worldwide, with queues lasting for hours. Bubble tea was first invented in Taiwan, during the 80s. We spoke to a professional baker, You don’t need a fancy machine to whip up these refreshing no-churn ice creams. You can have 300 different drinks (30 flavors * 10 toppings (9+1 option of no toppings)= 300). Around the world, tapioca tea is also known as bubble tea, pearl tea or boba. And if you love bubble tea so much, why not try and make it yourself at home? The balls are also known as pearls, so the Chinese translation of 珍珠奶茶 is literally pearl (珍珠) milk (奶) tea (茶). Pearl milk tea  (珍珠奶茶), sometimes referred to as Bubble Tea or Boba, is a Taiwanese drink combines milk tea with tapioca-type balls. And how has it maintained its popularity for almost 30 years? Let’s see why it became so popular in Japan, and what kind of tapioca tea Japanese people drink. Mark Smale, owner of Tea & Bun, in Plymouth said he was surprised at how popular Bubble tea has been at the Asian food site. Invented in the 1980s, bubble tea (also called "black pearl tea" or "boba tea") is a beloved Taiwan classic. 波霸" means "bubble big," but it also happens to be a slang word to represent a woman with large breasts. Boba or bubble tea is a tea based drink that is typically consumed with friends for a quick fix to your sweet cravings. Shops generally have a wide range of flavors to choose from as well. Popping Boba is a little juice ball that has become increasingly popular along with the frozen yogurt craze.It is also known as Bursting Boba, Popping Boba, and Bursting Fruit Bubbles. Turns out all four sides of the grater serve a useful purpose, Man's World Cup Final is ruined by penis shape on his chocolate bar, 6 Totally achievable food resolutions for 2021 that don’t include dieting, Here’s how you can create your own personalised family cookbook, How to master the art of roasting a chicken, 4 Ways I used meal planning to save money every month, Is your freezer a disaster? Smale said: “We took inspiration walking around China Town and were seeing ridiculously long queues of young people waiting for Bubble tea. Bubble tea first became popular in Taiwan in the 1980s, but the originator is unknown. So what makes bubble tea still so popular? The social ritual that comes with bubble tea is a big part of its specific appeal, Wong adds. Bubble tea is also known as 珍珠奶茶 (Zhen Zhu Nai Cha) directly translates to pearl milk tea, but is also known as boba tea in parts of the world. In Japan, it is said to have become popular in the late 1990’s. And a black tea – the most popular variant, accounting for 78% of the tea drunk world-wide – results when the bruised leaves dry quite a long while before being finished in the pan. It was common and well-received in the US quite some time ago, out towards a decade ago now, and it has been quite popular in Thailand for around that time as well. Drinks like “blue galaxy boba”, from Vivi Bubble Tea, also have color schemes perfect for pictures as well. Bubble tea is a popular drink that is high in sugar. Required fields are marked *. Around the world, tapioca tea is also known as bubble tea, pearl tea or boba. Top 10 Best Bubble Tea Shops in Bangkok. Most bubble tea drinks contain an iced tea base mixed with fruit flavour or milk, with small chewy tapioca balls. It’s perfect for adventurous people. A popular tea shop in China called Hey Tea starts with a milk tea like you would if ordering a bubble tea but then adds a thick layer of whipped cream cheese instead of tapioca pearls. Part of the allure of bubble tea among Singaporeans is to be credited to its versatility. It’s perfect for adventurous people. Oh, grate! And why else would boba stores make drinks like”Light Bulb Boba” or “Cotton Candy Boba”? What’s not to love? But regardless of your tea-drinking style, at some point, your mind will eventually drift to bubble tea. Leave me alone. There’s a reason why bubble tea is so popular - it’s hard to pass up this sweet, ice-cold drink dotted with chewy boba tapioca pearls. “Chinese now consume five times more milk tea than coffee. Boba first originated from Taiwan specifically in Tainan and Taichung in the 1980s. In Japan, it is said to have become popular in the late 1990’s. While bubble tea does contain a lot of sugar, it has been around since the 1980's after being invented in Taiwan, so in moderate consumption is definitely a treat! Bubble tea is "my thing." You can have 300 different drinks (30 flavors * 10 toppings (9+1 option of no toppings)= 300). Located in the heart of Chinatown, … Milk tea is popular in lots of places. Literally translated, "波霸" means "bubble big," but it also happens to be a slang word to represent a woman with large breasts. Dine in available. You can get bubble tea in South Africa at The Bubble Tea Company. A little smaller than the regular tapioca boba, the Popping Juice Boba is filled with fruit juice and and "pop"s when bitten into. Aside from pearls, boba shops offer a wide variety of toppings like j. elly (of many flavors), chia seeds, creama/crema, aloe vera, and popping boba. Thirdly, there has always been a strong “milk-and-tea culture” in Asia, and this can definitely explain why bubble tea is a hit among many Asians. It’s been over 30 years since the birth of the drink in Taiwan. Whether you’ve heard of boba from watching Hillary Clinton drink boba for the first time, or just growing up with it, you know once you try it, there’s no backing out. Japan missed the boat on the first world bubble tea phenomenon perhaps due to the lost years after the economic bubble of the 1980s collapsed and with it, many people’s appetite for travel. The girl was in a diabetic coma for five days last month. Bubble tea is full of sugary ingredients, so it’s far from healthy. Bubble tea is full of sugary ingredients, so it’s far from healthy. Food. This includes the exotic ones like taro, matcha, lychee, guava, passion fruit, and even avocado boba. And while this beverage is exceptionally “grammable,” there’s just one problem with this popular drink. Visit eatout.co.za to find the perfect restaurant near you. And again, there are many different flavors to choose from. Why Singaporeans love bubble tea Images adapted from: @xxyng92 (top left), Eatbook (bottom left and right) Come lunchtime, at precisely 12pm on the dot, a war cry is taken up among the knowing comrades of the office: “Who wants bubble tea?” The horde then descends upon the nearest stall, either from the Gong Cha-KOI-LiHO […] Pearl milk teaBoba milk teaBoba teaTapioca teaPearl teaMilk teaTapioca pearl drinkMomiMomi milk teaQQ“The drink with the fat straw”, or any combination of the above. Part of the allure of bubble tea among Singaporeans is to be credited to its versatility. Although boba came from Asia it quickly became popular amongst English speaking countries. When I saw the English menu, I learned that you could specify the amount of sugar you want. Geri Lavrov / Getty Images. Why Singaporeans love bubble tea Images adapted from: @xxyng92 (top left), Eatbook (bottom left and right) Come lunchtime, at precisely 12pm on the dot, a war cry is taken up among the knowing comrades of the office: “Who wants bubble tea?” The horde then descends upon the nearest stall, either from the Gong Cha-KOI-LiHO […] Bubble tea is also known as 珍珠奶茶 (Zhen Zhu Nai Cha) directly translates to pearl milk tea, but is also known as boba tea in parts of the world. From crowd favourites such as brown sugar boba milk and green tea/ oolong tea, to more exotic combinations of cheese tea or fruit tea flavours for the more adventurous tastebuds, bubble tea is always the perfect sweet treat for anyone and any occasion. They are cooked in sugar and water until they reach a chewy consistency. Bubble tea, also known as boba milk tea or pearl tea, is a drink made from a range of fruity flavors or coffee or tea, sugar, and various toppings, including the ‘bubbles.’ The central ingredients in this tea are the bubbles or pearls or boba. While western countries are immersed in the coffee lifestyle, … So how did Japan get left out of this trend 20 years or so ago, and more astonishingly, just why is it suddenly popular here for seemingly no good reason? The unusual combination of chewy tapioca and crunchy ice in a sweet beverage creates a distinct delight for the taste buds. The Introduction of Tapioca Tea in Japan. I wish bubble tea was more readily available in more places. or just growing up with it, you know once you try it, there’s no backing out. It's just so good. Chewy tapioca balls in iced tea; doesn’t sound appealing? To be completely honest, a lot of people get boba simply for the aesthetic appeal (aka for Instagram). When and why did boba become popular in the U.S.? After the arrival of pearl milk tea to China, coffee has taken a backseat. Originated in Taiwan almost four decades ago, somehow boba tea went on to become mainstream popularity not only in Taiwan and China but all over the world. She is currently a rising high school junior in the Bay Area. READ MORE：EXOTIC AND WEIRD FRUITS PEOPLE EAT IN CHINA. Bubble milk tea is a local favourite that has become as ubiquitous as coffee. So, hop on the boba train today; You won’t be disappointed. Here are a few reasons why people around the globe have come to love bubble tea. I was sceptical at first too, but there’s something novel yet practical about the squishy, chewy tapioca balls in cold, milky, sweet, flavoured tea that’s both thirst-quenching and hunger-busting. Also known as boba, boba milk tea, pearl milk tea, tapioca pearl drink, PT, momi milk tea, bubble drink, QQ, boba ice tea, zhen zhu nai cha, BBT, and boba juice, it is thought to have been invented in Taichung, Taiwan around 1982. Are There Any Benefits Of Bubble Tea? The pearl milk tea products attract a lot young female students, and over the years (with the young people becoming adults), this craze is also expanding among working professionals and men. Back To TOC. Make sure to shake it up (like you would a bubble tea) to disperse the cheeseyness throughout the drink otherwise you’ll be left with salty cheese to slurp up. What Is Bubble Tea (Boba Milk Tea) And Why Is It So Popular? But regardless of your tea-drinking style, at some point, your mind will eventually drift to bubble tea. Popping Bobas: film-covered fruit juice balls that burst in your mouth. Unsurprisingly popular amongst Taiwanese Americans and other Americans of East Asian descent, it is regarded by many as a symbol of Asian American youth culture. Why is it so popular, especially among the Asian crowd not just in Australia, but in Western countries in general? Chorley in Lancashire got its first bubble tea bar in July. It takes balls to drink bubble tea. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. Bubble tea is "my thing." The new milk tea boosted the popularity of his teahouse immensely and Lin Hsiu Hui, who was product manager at the time, created the pearls by combining tapioca ball and sweetened pudding with the iced tea. "Bubble milk tea started to blossom in Thailand early last year, and the popularity has sustained, as evidenced by long queues at bubble milk stores in … "Boba" itself refers to tapioca balls made from the cassava root. Your email address will not be published. Leave me alone. It’s now more popular than ever; indeed, the compound annual growth rate of the bubble tea market from 2017-2023 is estimated to be 7.3%. I first had bubble tea when I was nine – and this great love affair has seen me through the highs and lows in life. Lin Han-Chieh came up with the idea of milk tea after seeing how the Japanese added milk to their coffee. Oritea有茶. Technomic, a Chicago-based food-services industry consulting firm, estimates that there are well over 1,000 of these shops operating in the U.S. — most of them small regional chains. People buying bubble tea at Gong Cha bubble tea … Also called Brown Sugar Bubble tea, Brown Sugar Boba Milk tea, and Tiger Sugar Milk tea. Patrick Yeh, founder of New York City-based Bar Pa Tea, said boba … , sometimes referred to as Bubble Tea or Boba, is a Taiwanese drink combines milk tea with tapioca-type balls. It’s easy to be confused about bubble tea because the drink goes by so many different names depending where it is sold. Bubble tea is a drink that contains milk or tea, or both. And how has it maintained its popularity for almost 30 years? It was common and well-received in the US quite some time ago, out towards a decade ago now, and it has been quite popular in Thailand for around that time as well. In 2017, the popularity of the tea-based fruity milk shoots off the road when it became accepted particularly in the west-with bubble tea shops like Gongcha reporting a huge boom in business. Since then, the popularity of boba has spread from Southeast and East Asian countries to mainly the US and Canada. This prevents leaking until you pierce the sealed top with a fat straw – which allows you to suck up the last of the delicious ‘bubbles’. Bubble tea is served in transparent cups with a fat straw so that - as you sip - the tapioca balls (also known as “pearls” or “boba”) come shooting up it and can be chewed as you swallow down the delicious liquid. Drinks like iced coffee or juice have the same constant texture, but with boba, the pearls offer a sort of “break” from the same boring consistency. The social ritual that comes with bubble tea is a big part of its specific appeal, Wong adds. And a black tea – the most popular variant, accounting for 78% of the tea drunk world-wide – results when the bruised leaves dry quite a long while before being finished in the pan. 3. Bubble tea consumption in particular, continues to rise at a high rate each year. And, boba shops like Boba Guys, Boba Bar, or Vivi Bubble Tea, have artsy wallpapers and backgrounds in stores that are great for instagram pictures too. Bubble tea first became popular in Taiwan in the 1980s, but the originator is unknown. And at Happy Lemon, another popular boba chain, they have a whole series of salted cheese drinks. Bubble tea was created 40 years ago in Taiwan, although there are a number of rumours about who is the actual creator. 1. The sweet taste of the tea paired with the chewy tapioca balls make up the unique element that boba provides. On my return, I was surprised to see that bubble tea spots had bubbled up all over the country. Bubble tea (also known as pearl milk tea, bubble milk tea, or boba; Chinese: 珍珠奶茶; pinyin: zhēn zhū nǎi chá, 波霸奶茶; bō bà nǎi chá; or 泡泡茶; pào pào chá in Singapore) is a tea-based drink.Originating in Taichung, Taiwan in the early 1980s, it includes chewy tapioca balls ("boba" or "pearls") or a … This addictive drink has skyrocketed in popularity in the last decade and boba shops have even dubbed the “Asian Starbucks”. These captions and the number of participants show the attraction of bubble tea around the world. So just what is the fuss about bubble tea? So how did bubble tea—this chewy, strange, and foreign drink—become so successful? Also known as boba, boba milk tea, pearl milk tea, tapioca pearl drink, PT, momi milk tea, bubble drink, QQ, boba ice tea, zhen zhu nai cha, BBT, and boba juice, it is thought to have been invented in Taichung, Taiwan around 1982. Bubble tea was invented in Taiwan, and the "bubble" part of its name refers to the froth you get from … So without further ado, these 7 best bubble tea shops get our stamp of approval. It’s been over 30 years since the birth of the drink in Taiwan. And at Happy Lemon, another popular boba chain, they have a whole series of salted cheese drinks. Despite all the sugar, bubble tea is associated with a few health benefits. Later, a tea shop owner experimented with larger balls,  and used "波霸" to denote the difference. Bubble tea shops have become part of the tapestry in many North American cities, particularly those with large Asian populations, such as Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Toronto. The students tested five popular brands of bubble tea for their sugar content and found that two brands tested for incredibly high sugar content – Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea and Bubble Milk Tea ordered with 100 percent sugar which has 18.5 and 20.5 teaspoons of sugar, respectively. Why are beverages so popular ? Aside from pearls, boba shops offer a wide variety of toppings like jelly (of many flavors), chia seeds, creama/crema, aloe vera, and popping boba. We’re here to give it a makeover with these 5 genius tips, 7 easy oven bakes that make great leftovers, What is the difference between butter and margarine? Boba tea was developed by Liu Han-Chieh and Lin Hsiu Hui in Taichung[source], Taiwan during the 1980’s. (Condensed) milk combined with tea and vice-versa drinks are often drunk by many Asians especially for breakfast … Originating from Taiwan, bubble tea can either be milk-based or tea-based – that is a drink consisting either of milk and tea or just tea. Also, you could choose the amount of ice. It’s easy to be confused about bubble tea because the drink goes by so many different names depending where it is sold. Since then, t… The new milk tea boosted the popularity of his teahouse immensely and Lin Hsiu Hui, who was product manager at the time, created the pearls by combining tapioca ball and sweetened pudding with the iced tea. Do you think only its attractive colors and numerous customizable flavors have made bubble tea this popular? Let’s see why it became so popular in Japan, and what kind of tapioca tea Japanese people drink. Much foreign food, fashion, and pop-culture trends are bought to Japan by enterprising trendsetters who emulate what they come across elsewhere. If you’re the math type, let’s say a shop has 30 flavors and 9 different toppings to choose from. A Trend Once Missed Japan missed the boat on the first world bubble tea phenomenon perhaps due to the lost years after the economic bubble of the 1980s collapsed and with it, many people’s appetite for travel. It relies on the 3 Cs: cheap, convenient, customisable. In fact, Mcdonald's added boba to their menu in Germany in 2012. Boba tea was developed by Liu Han-Chieh and, 波霸" to denote the difference. Why is Bubble Tea so Popular? Bubble tea is "my thing." I wish bubble tea was more readily available in more places. That’s enough to have a different drink everyday for almost a year! The way the drinks look and tastes have become a social phenomenon that everyone wants to be a part of. Leave me alone. Now you can make your own mouth-watering bubble tea at home with real ingredients and a little know how! The basic one is the black pearl milk tea and the green tea milk (among them the Matcha is the most popular). The balls are also known as pearls, so the Chinese translation of, This addictive drink has skyrocketed in popularity in the last decade and boba shops have even dubbed the “Asian Starbucks”. And again, there are many different flavors to choose from. Bubble tea shops started a trend by creating aesthetic drinks that encouraged customers to post their drinks on social media, which went viral and gained lots of attention. Invented in the 1980s, bubble tea (also called "black pearl tea" or "boba tea") is a beloved Taiwan classic. Bubble Tea is taking the UK storm with operators such as Bubbleology and Chatime rolling out sites across the UK. People even have instagram accounts dedicated to boba and it’s aesthetic (@bobaaddiction, @livinthebobalyfe, etc.). In fact, Mcdonald's added boba to their menu in Germany in 2012. It's popularity spread from Taiwan, through to the rest of East Asia, then through to Southeast Asia, and from there, through to the rest of the world, to countries like Australia, the UK, North America, etc. Why is Bubble Tea so Popular? What other drink provides this many foreign flavors? Why “bubble”? So how did bubble tea—this chewy, strange, and foreign drink—become so successful? Classic boba drinks feature tapioca pearls in a milk tea base with ice, often mixed with sugar or flavored syrup. Huddersfield has Bubble n Shake, there is a mobile bubble tea van in Bristol, and it can be found in cities from Glasgow to Portsmouth. Boba tea was developed by Liu Han-Chieh and Lin Hsiu Hui in Taichung[source], Taiwan during the 1980’s. Bubble tea is "my thing." Copyright © 2017 TutorMing Chinese Language and Culture Blog. Most bubble tea drinks contain an iced tea base mixed with fruit flavour or milk, with small chewy tapioca balls. I’d been enjoying bubble tea for years while living in Asia, and hardly expected to find it in South Africa. The trademark "tiger sugar" is coined because of the tiger stripes formation on the cup due to the brown sugar syrup drips. Around every corner in Bangkok there is a bubble tea stand, and in all the malls they take on the image of ‘high so’(Thai slang for upmarket) social meeting places with names like Koi, Kamu, ATM Tea Bar, Fire Tiger Bubble Tea and Osaka Milk Tea just to name a few. Whether you’ve heard of boba from. These delicious fruit or tea infusions can be served either piping hot or iced cold, making a delicious and ever-so-quirky drink and snack. so I think that’s its defining factor." If you’re the math type, let’s say a shop has 30 flavors and 9 different toppings to choose from. So, here it is: You probably can't find these in the States or other Anglo countries, but in East/Southeast Asia, we have cheese tea (芝士茶), proclaimed by many to be bubble tea's successor. 1 mo. I'm thinking the reason why you can't find it in the States and other Anglo countries is because non-Asians cannot fathom the idea of "cheese" and "tea" belonging in the same beverage. Boba has been consumed in the West, particularly the US, since the ‘90s. From crowd favourites such as brown sugar boba milk and green tea/ oolong tea, to more exotic combinations of cheese tea or fruit tea flavours for the more adventurous tastebuds, bubble tea is always the perfect sweet treat for anyone and any occasion. What is it and why is it so popular? Fusion tea shop. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The original and most common "topping" is tapioca pearls. Bubble tea is a drink made from tea (usually black tea), milk, syrup, and a special ingredient that captivates the hearts of Chinese people: tapioca pearls. Leave me alone. However, since the invention of bubble tea in Taiwan in the 80s, the drink has evolved to include many flavours and textures. Milk tea is popular in lots of places. It’s now more popular than ever; indeed, the compound annual growth rate of the bubble tea market from 2017-2023 is estimated to be 7.3%. Boba (or bubble tea) has been a beloved treat for decades, originating in Taiwan. Well, not many – given its ingredients and composition. At Boba Guys’, a popular San Francisco boba chain, Strawberry Matcha is a bestseller. In addition, it’s great for when you’re on-the-go because most bubble tea bars use a sealing machine to put a flat cellophane seal over the cup. Literally translated, ". We all love a good caffeine shot, and bubble tea is one of those go-to choices because of its price point which is slightly more expensive than a kopitiam, but less than a Starbucks. Food delivery services like Deliveroo, foodpanda and GrabFood all report statistics that bubble tea rank highly for their most popular orders in the past year. Bubble tea is a drink made from tea (usually black tea), milk, syrup, and a special ingredient that captivates the hearts of Chinese people: tapioca pearls. However, since the invention of bubble tea in Taiwan in the 80s, the drink has evolved to include many flavours and textures. Bubble tea (also called Boba tea) has been around for more than a quarter century and has earned a global position as a widely accepted tea. Whatever you want to call it – Bubble Tea, Boba Tea, Pearl Milk Tea, etc. Not only that but bubble tea is becoming more everyday with new shops opening all around the world. When I first moved to Taiwan, I bought plain bubble tea. EXOTIC AND WEIRD FRUITS PEOPLE EAT IN CHINA, watching Hillary Clinton drink boba for the first time, TutorMing Chinese Language and Culture Blog. Bubble tea is one of those drinks you can easily get your hands on when the cravings hit. That's why you want to be a bit careful about drinking this popular drink. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(566301, '0922e4b7-54cb-4e7a-bc02-b107edca4838', {}); Julia Chang is a contributing writer for TutorMing. There really is no other drink like it. is up to you! Bubble tea or boba tea ( zhen chu nai cha) is a highly caffeinated, sugary drink characterized with the signature black tapioca bubbles or “pearls”. So, why is bubble tea so popular? Lin Han-Chieh came up with the idea of milk tea after seeing how the Japanese added milk to their coffee. At Boba Guys’, a popular San Francisco boba chain, Strawberry Matcha is a bestseller. What Makes Bubble Tea So Popular? The number of stalls popping up in every neighbourhood makes it easily accessible anywhere you are. Bubble tea is in the same league as hawker-style fry-ups, albeit in drink form: easy to prepare and casual enough to consume any time of the day. That’s enough to have a different drink everyday for almost a year! Why are we so obsessed with this Taiwanese milk tea? I normally went with 25%. The Introduction of Tapioca Tea in Japan. Unique Taste, Texture, & Look. 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