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什么？波霸奶茶居然真的就是 Boba Tea！？_tea

什么？波霸奶茶居然真的就是 Boba Tea！？_tea

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什么？波霸奶茶居然真的就是 Boba Tea！？

2019-09-23 18:00

来源:

EF英孚教育说英语

原标题：什么？波霸奶茶居然真的就是 Boba Tea！？

你是奶茶爱好者嘛？

你知道奶茶其实在全世界都很受欢迎嘛？

想知道波霸奶茶在美国的历史

就一定不要错过今天的推送了！

继续往下看吧！

⬇️

01

波霸简史

波霸其实就是木薯淀粉圆子，所以它的学名应该叫 Tapioca balls。

虽然说关于波霸的起源有很多不同版本的故事，但是通常认为波霸这个名字最初来自于台南一家茶铺。店铺的老板在1986年第一次把木薯淀粉圆子用“波霸”来命名。

在20世纪90年代的时候波霸已经风靡整个东亚和东南亚地区。在北美，随着亚洲人的聚集，波霸奶茶也逐渐传播开来，并且成为一种文化现象， 后来就有了boba 这一英文单词，含有波霸珍珠的奶茶也可以叫boba tea 或者 bubble tea。

奶茶健康吗

展开全文

像很多茶饮料和咖啡饮品一样，奶茶的营养价值也取决于它是怎么做出来的。

很多含有奶茶饮料都是高糖、高碳水、高热量的。如果你担心你的腰围或者血糖的话，你可以选择点小杯、要求制作时少糖甚至无糖、或者减少喝波霸奶茶的次数，比如只在特生日、升职加薪、或者一些纪念日的时候喝（ 如果你忍得住的话）。

虽然用来制作波霸珍珠的木薯粉本身是没有什么营养的，而且饮料中一定含有大量的糖分，但它的美味和对辛苦工作学习的慰藉是其他饮料比不了的。所以如果真的喜欢的话，喝喝也无妨，记得多运动就好啦！

regular sugar 全糖

less sugar 四分之三糖

half sugar 半糖

quarter sugar 四分之一糖

sugar-free 无糖

03

怎么点波霸

最原始版本的波霸奶茶就是用奶精冲泡的基底茶加上木薯淀粉圆子，后来商家们为了满足不同消费者的需求并且吸引的新的消费客群，越来越多的料可以被加进奶茶中：

仙草冻 (n.) grass jelly

咖啡冻 (n.) coffee jelly

布丁 (n.) pudding

芦荟 (n.) aloe

芋圆 (n.) taro balls

西米 (n.) sago perals

红豆 (n.) red beans

小编最爱的是布丁仙草冻的组合，滑滑的，而且感觉（只是感觉）热量也很低～你最喜欢的加料是什么呢？

也为了迎合当代人追求你健康和苗条身材的趋势，越来越多的商家推出了鲜奶加茶的组合，作为产茶大国，我们的选择更是数不胜数～

果茶 (n.) fruit tea

红茶 (n.) black tea 注意不是 red tea 而是 black tea 哦！

绿茶 (n.) green tea

茉莉花茶 (n.) jasmine tea

梅子绿茶 (n.) plum green tea

白毫 (n.) pekoe

铁观音 (n.) Tie-guan-yin tea

青茶 (n.) light oolong tea

乌龙（n.) oolong tea

你最爱的是哪款茶呢？

04

在家做奶茶

波霸奶茶的制作并不复杂，主要分为准备黑糖糖浆、准备珍珠圆子和准备茶三步。

Make the Syrup

Ingredients:

3 parts water

2 parts white sugar

1 part brown sugar

水煮沸，倒入所有的糖，开小火熬制糖浆，全部融化起泡后离火。

Make the Tapioca Pearls

Ingredients:

4 parts water (or more)

1 part tapioca pearls

在某包买现成的珍珠粉圆，加水煮30分钟，关火倒出珍珠，浸在冷水中冷却，然后用糖浆浸泡。

Make the Tea

Ingredients:

3 ounces Tapioca Pearls

1 cup brewed tea (cooled)

1 cup milk

4 ice cubes

把茶、奶、冰块倒进瓶子里摇匀，倒入放好波霸的杯中，插上吸管就完成啦！

爱喝奶茶就点个“在看”吧！返回搜狐，查看更多

责任编辑：

平台声明：该文观点仅代表作者本人，搜狐号系信息发布平台，搜狐仅提供信息存储空间服务。

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What is boba tea, Taiwan's iconic drink?

What is boba tea, Taiwan's iconic drink?

Skip to contentNewslettersSubscribeMenuThe chewy tapioca pearls in Taiwanese bubble tea give the drink its signature texture.Photography by Hugh Mitton, AlamyTRAVELThe story behind bubble tea, Taiwan’s iconic drinkTypically a combination of milky tea and chewy tapioca ‘pearls’, the beverage also known as boba tea is so beloved it was the subject of a years-long legal battle.ByClarissa WeiOctober 03, 2023•8 min readThis article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).As much a textural marvel as a refreshing drink, bubble tea is one of Taiwan’s most renowned cultural exports. The eponymous ‘bubbles’ aren’t the result of carbonation, but a pile of chewy, sweet, balls of starch that sit at the bottom of the cup and are sucked up along with the liquid through an extra-wide straw.The first iterations of the drink — also called boba tea — emerged in the 1980s out of Taiwan’s traditional tea shops, and today boba tea shops remain a fixture in most neighbourhoods across the island. Rather than sit-down spots, these are usually grab-and-go establishments, operating at devilishly fast speed.Bubble tea has since proliferated across the world, with dedicated shops popping up everywhere from Berlin to Brasilia, and you’ll find starch pearls (as the bubbles or boba are also known) in much more than milk tea. They’re served in all sorts of ways, whether that’s in rose-scented lattes or even as a pizza topping.Originally, boba tea was just iced milk tea with tapioca pearls.Photography by Brent Hofacker, AlamyOrigins Texture is an important component of Taiwanese cuisine; a lot of dishes on the island exist more for their mouthfeel than flavour, such as crunchy pig’s ears and bouncy fish balls. On the dessert end, chewy starch-based toppings have been a fixture in Taiwan for generations, usually served over ice or in sugar water.Bubble tea as we know it today came into existence almost four decades ago. Two tea houses — Chun Shui Tang in the central city of Taichung and Hanlin Tea Room in the southern city of Tainan — both claim to have invented the drink in 1986. “When we started to drink iced tea, we found there was a lot of variation. So my dad started to think, what else can we do?” says Angela Liu, the daughter of the founder of Chun Shui Tang. The story goes that her father, Liu Han-Chieh, asked his staff to experiment with different toppings and textures, and one of them decided to add tapioca balls — thus the beverage was born.Over in Tainan, the founder of Hanlin Tea Room was inspired by the dessert stalls at his local traditional market. “He’d been thinking for a couple of days how to increase the value of his drink, when he suddenly noticed the starch balls in sugar water that a grandmother was selling,” says Jack Huang, an operations manager at Hanlin. “He thought: why is this only paired with sugar? So he added it to tea.”It’s impossible to definitively verify either story, but the claim to ownership was at one time so fierce that the two tea shops were embroiled in a decade-long lawsuit. In 2019, the court eventually concluded that because bubble tea is not a patented product, who actually invented it is irrelevant.The pearls in the drink are called boba and are made of a mixture of tapioca starch and sugar.Photography by Jeffrey Blackler, AlamyHow bubble tea is made At its most basic, boba — the pearls themselves — are made with a collection of starches, brown sugar and water. The ingredients are rolled together into small balls, which are boiled in water until they turn gummy, chewy and glossy. Tapioca starch — made from cassava root — is the main starch because of its soft and supple texture, but it’s sometimes mixed with sweet potato starch, which gives it a firm finish. The brown sugar, meanwhile, is what’s responsible for boba’s signature dark caramel colour. Because freshly made boba are only good for one or two days, many commercial manufacturers also throw in additives to make it shelf stable.From there, it’s all about what type of drink you want to have it with. Early renditions of boba tea were made with sweet, iced milk tea made with black tea and lactose-free creamer. Times have changed, however, with a huge variety available, such as green, high-mountain oolong, jasmine and tieguanyin (an oolong varietal known for its coffee-like roasted aroma) — sometimes mixed, or even substituted, with fruit-based drinks. The lactose-free creamer of yesteryear, meanwhile, has largely been replaced with full-fat milk, or sometimes non-dairy alternatives.Taipei has world-famous boba tea shops offering different concoctions of bubble tea. Photography by Thant Zaw Wai, Getty ImagesWhere to drink bubble tea in Taipei In the Taiwanese capital, single-origin teas, high-quality full-fat milk and lightly coloured pearls are in vogue, with an emphasis on quality over quantity. Here are three of the city’s best boba tea shops.1. GuijiWith several branches around the city, Guiji is known for its bright orange tapioca balls flavoured with honey, and a quirky menu that rotates around high-quality teas mixed with fruit. The shop does a wonderful tieguanyin tea which is then infused with the bright acidity of kumquat. The menu also regularly features starfruit, winter melon, apples and lime.2. John Tea CompanyInspired by British tea culture, John Tea Company specialises in creamy milk tea made with black tea leaves sourced from India, Taiwan and Sri Lanka. The milk comes from Liu Jia Village, a cooperative of dairy farmers in southern Taiwan known for their rich, full-fat milk. The pearls, which are optional, are small, white and opaque. Each of the five Taipei locations is decked out in royal blue signage and motifs inspired by the East India Company.3. JiateMeaning ‘drink tea’ in Taiwanese, Jiate champions local, single-origin teas. Indulge in the sweet raspberry-like notes of Sun Moon Lake’s black tea, or the floral aromatics of the island’s high-altitude oolong from Alishan. As for additions, there’s the usual boba, as well as green tea jelly or aloe vera. Milk is optional. 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What is Boba Tea

What is Boba Tea

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What Is Boba Tea and How Do I Make It?

Learn about boba tea's ingredients and history, and glean some ideas on how to make it at home—including with boba tea kits. Join one of the biggest, chewiest, widest-strawed portable beverage trends of the last decade.

By

Joan Bailey

Joan Bailey

Joan has been writing and researching food, culture, and farming for over 13 years. As a former farmer, avid gardener, and university instructor, she brings a researcher's curiosity and a journalist's eye to every topic.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines

Published on March 30, 2022

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Photo: Getty Images / ugurv

Boba tea, aka bubble tea, is a unique blend of tea, milk, sugar and chewy tapioca pearls that is refreshing and satisfying. Born in Taiwan, the beverage has gone on to find fans around the world and now comes in hundreds of flavors and styles. Here's everything you should know about what boba tea is, what it is made of and even how to make it yourself.

Healthy Tea Recipes

What Is Boba Tea?

Boba tea is made of tea, milk, water, sugar and tapioca pearls. Iced sweet milky tea is given a good cocktail-style shake, after which tapioca pearls are added. Typical versions use black, green or oolong tea, although recently more flavors and types have appeared. These range from mocha to fruit-flavored milks with pearls that can be black, white or fruity. Most boba tea is sweet and milky, and the milk can vary from whole milk to nonfat, coconut to almond. Others, such as the fruit-infused versions, might not even contain tea or milk.

However, it is those tapioca pearls that are boba tea's defining characteristic. Nestled at the bottom of each glass, their chewy texture is what makes this unique beverage such a fan favorite. Made from cassava starch mixed with boiling water, the resulting dough is rolled and cut into balls and cooked again in either a brown sugar syrup to achieve the characteristic black color or a plain sugar syrup for white or other flavored pearls. This also gives the boba just a hint of sweetness.

Popping boba, on the other hand, are made either from agar-agar powder, a seaweed extract, or calcium compounds, fruit juice, water and a sweetener. These pearls burst with refreshing fruit juice when bitten and are a more recent addition that occurred with the advent of fruit-based boba teas.

Other additions can include grass, aloe or coffee jellies, taro or sweet potato balls, fresh fruit or red beans, among others.

What Is Cassava, and How Do You Use It?

Origins and History of Boba Tea

Sweet milky tea and tapioca pearls each have a long history in Taiwanese cuisine. The blend of tea and milk was perfected in 1949 when Chang Fan Shu, a former bartender, opened a tea shop. Using his mixology skills and a cocktail shaker, he created a perfect blend of tea and milk topped with a fine froth (the original bubbles in bubble tea) that customers loved.

Meanwhile, tapioca pearls were a popular dessert topping, especially on Taiwan's fruit- and fresh crème-smothered shaved ice extravaganzas. Made from cassava, a South American plant that came to Taiwan during Japanese rule from 1895 to 1945, the chewy pearls were favored for their colorful contrast.

The two, however, didn't meet until the 1980s. The exact origin story remains unclear, with some claiming Lin Hsiu Hui, product manager for Chun Shui Tang, a tea shop, tipped some pearls into her tea during a staff meeting, and others stating it was invented by Hanlin Tea Room. Regardless, once the combination was made, Taiwan's favorite beverage was born.

The term "boba" has a clear history, though. The bigger-than-usual black tapioca balls borrowed their moniker from a Chinese slang term which was also the nickname for Amy Yip, a Taiwanese movie actress and sex symbol of the same era, famed for her ample bosom.

These Glittery Tea Bombs Burst into Flavorful, Flowery Drinks—and We Can't Stop Watching

Nutritional Value & Healthful Benefits

Made from cassava starch or a seaweed extract, the pearls are naturally gluten-free and vegan. Cassava is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that can reduce inflammation and supports collagen production. It is also a source of fiber and vitamin B6, which helps with brain development and supports nervous system and immune system health.

While boba tea can be a high-calorie drink because of the milk and sugar, this can be balanced by switching to a fruit-based version or simply passing on the milk. A fruit base increases the vitamins, while a simple tea version also lets you enjoy the benefits of boba tea with less concern for calories. Many boba tea shops also allow customers to adjust the level of sweetness.

How to Make Boba Tea

Boba tea is simple to make, and with a bit of time, patience and practice you can tailor the recipe to your taste buds' preferences.

Steep your favorite tea in boiling water for five minutes for maximum flavor. You can also cold-brew the tea, letting it sit for upward of 12 hours in the refrigerator for a slightly less bitter and less caffeinated base. Blend it with your preferred milk to taste and add the syrup-cooked boba for a picture-perfect homemade boba tea.

Boba tea pearls can be purchased pre-made or can be handmade by mixing cassava starch with boiling water to form a dough to roll out and cut into balls. The tapioca pearls start out white but turn black when cooked in a brown sugar syrup. Some people add black food coloring, but a hearty brown sugar syrup should also do the trick.

Boba tea kits are another option, especially nice for beginners learning the steps to creating a unique brew without any guesswork.

Where Can I Buy Boba Tea?

These days, boba tea can be found in almost any city and its suburbs anywhere in the world. In the U.S. alone, there are nearly 3,400 shops, with the market only expected to grow.

Boba tea kits or the ingredients—tea, fruit juice, sugar, cassava starch (or tapioca pearls) and milk—are available in shops or online. Popping boba can also be ordered online or made at home with items purchased at specialty shops or online.

Bottom Line

Boba tea is a refreshing beverage phenomenon full of sweetness and chewiness that comes in an endless variety of flavors and styles. Next time you head out for a coffee, try boba tea instead and see what delicious fun you can have. You might just discover your new favorite beverage.

6 Amazing Health Benefits of Tea

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跟它比，喜茶算什么 | 旧金山两个华裔小哥开的奶茶店Boba Guys，老美都甘愿排队三小时 - 知乎

跟它比，喜茶算什么 | 旧金山两个华裔小哥开的奶茶店Boba Guys，老美都甘愿排队三小时 - 知乎切换模式写文章登录/注册跟它比，喜茶算什么 | 旧金山两个华裔小哥开的奶茶店Boba Guys，老美都甘愿排队三小时大上海吃货小分队很酷很爱吃的魔都饭醉团伙忘记是从哪年开始，大街小巷都开始有奶茶店：港式的，台式的，加珍珠，加椰果……从学校门口的平凡小店，到现在火到排队n小时还限购的喜茶。（图片来自网络）而且，有华人的地方就会有奶茶店，顺带把奶茶文化传播给美国人民。不分种族、年龄、政治倾向，都会爱上奶茶boba tea。一副和谐景象……“选啥总统啊！我要喝奶茶！”希婆2016年在纽约法拉盛第一次喝到奶茶，打开了新世界的大门~ 图片来自网络说起来，美国也有跟喜茶一样火爆的奶茶店！不是国内开来的连锁，是旧金山本土品牌。Boba Guys（图片来自网络）不仅和喜茶一样，经常排队，是刷爆社交媒体的网红，而且以讲究原料品质出名，在旧金山乃至全美国，已经火了十年！时间回到2004年。同在旧金山一家公司工作的两个华裔小伙——来自德州的Bin，来自新泽西的Andrew，偶然约在一起打了个乒乓球，发现很谈得来，成为了好朋友，每天午饭时间会去公司附近喝奶茶。有天，这家奶茶关门了……两人寻遍全城的奶茶店，不满意，决定自己开始做奶茶。取名Boba Guys，“做奶茶的哥们儿”。（图片来自网络）穿上实验室大褂，带上炫酷的护目镜，像做实验一样，精确把握奶和茶的比例。连煮珍珠都小心翼翼。（图片来自网络）旧金山乃至加州的餐饮，都提倡健康、天然的理念，Boba Guys也不例外。他们坚持不用人工香精和提前配置的奶茶粉，不是想“开家奶茶店，赚赚钱喝喝茶”这么简单，而是想要成为世界上最好的奶茶。“要成为衡量品质的标杆。有些人还没习惯把做到极致卓越作为对自己的预期”（图片来自instagram）既然旗帜鲜明地反对奶茶粉，原料当然是颇有讲究：选用旧金山湾区原产的斯特劳斯Straus牛奶，来自纳帕附近的小镇佩塔路玛Petaluma，是全美国最知名的乳制品产区之一。茶叶则要追溯到原产地中国，为此还专门成立公司Tea People，每年去中国考察进货。（图片来自Tea People官网）店里摆着龙井、毛峰、太平猴魁、正山小种……让你误以为闯进了国内某家茶馆。不仅使用茶叶泡出的原茶，他们的奶茶中还用到了三种茶，调制出独家的不可复制的口味。（图片来自官网）甜度也是很关键的。冷饮中当然是加糖浆最理想，Boba Guys选择自制蔗糖糖浆（美国大多使用玉米糖浆）水果味奶茶也是来自真正的水果泥而非人工香精色素。 最早，Boba Guys用pop-up快闪店的形式，借用其他餐厅的地盘卖奶茶。既节约成本，也是很直观的市场测试。第一家Boba Guys实体店开在Mission传教区。这是旧金山历史最悠久的地段，曾经是墨西哥裔聚居区，现在成为了三番吃货们必须打卡的圣地。奔放恣意的墙绘涂鸦，创意无穷的咖啡馆和餐厅，美食密度极高。（图片来自网络）自从开了Boba Guys，Mission区也变得更热闹了，不得不发ins请大家排队时不要挡住邻居的大门。（图片来自instagram）随后几年，稳步扩张。并没有急于做成遍布全旧金山的连锁店，而致力于保持自己的风格和品质，还机智地运用全美乃至全世界最大的众筹网站Kickstarter，众筹了一个奶茶实验室Boba Guys Lab。（截图来自kickstarter）旨在创造更多好喝有趣的新饮品，就在旧金山最核心的联合广场Union Square。（图片来自网络）延续白色为主、原木色家具的风格，简约现代，一进店里就让人心情舒畅。2016年，在Hayes Valley开了一家旗舰店。（图片来自网络）还开到了纽约曼哈顿。开业时炒鸡火爆。（图片来自网络）和食蚁兽logo以及富有设计感的马赛克地板合影，已经成为来旧金山必须达成的成就之一。（图片来自instagram）除了基本款奶茶以外，现在店里最受欢迎的网红产品是——草莓+抹茶（图片来自instagram）最近还推出了粉嫩版的matchella亚洲风味的黑芝麻拿铁也是相当有特色按照小分队废仙女的话说“很像冰镇黑芝麻糊……”（图片来自Yelp）还有冰淇淋机里挤出来的抹茶味soft serve冰淇淋，使用Straus乳制品，奶香浓郁。（图片来自Yelp）去年推出的夏日特饮Tropic Thunder：芒果泥+浓郁椰奶+西柚……咦这不是杨枝甘露吗？（图片来自instagram）每次尝试都让粉丝们惊喜。不过，“吹”得这么厉害，你肯定还是会问：“到底值得排队去喝吗？”至少老美都爱Boba Guys爱到不行。Twitter上一搜，全是“离开Boba Guys就活不了”的节奏。“久仰大名，终于试了，一点儿没失望，我喝过的最好的奶茶”“没喝过Boba Guys的人生是不完整的”“Boba Gusy这队排得跟夜店一样”“跟我哥一起专为Boba Guys开到三番，这趟跑得值了”巴特，Boba Guys合咱中国人的口味吗？嗯，简单来说，一个字淡因为我们平时喝的奶茶，口味很重，里面加了很多香精奶精，于是味蕾被这种奶茶培养得有点顿感，会觉得天然无添加的奶茶太淡。小分队的肉宝说：“organic牛奶总归是没有奶精那么香吧……”……不健康的东西总是更好吃。东北饭饼饼觉得：“其实茶味挺浓的，我觉得还挺好喝”小蜜桃也一直是茉莉花奶茶的忠实拥趸。但大多数人持保留意见。不管怎么说，这群执着的奶茶爱好者，把奶茶当做事业，精心打磨，让美国人接触到了好茶，重新认识奶茶，让带有亚洲元素的传统甜品进入美国主流市场，变成旧金山街头最潮的饮料，还创造了令人瞩目的商业价值，本身就是一件了不起的成就！下次去旧金山，别忘了找找这只喝奶茶的土豚（不是食蚁兽是土豚！）~撰文 | 汪排骨是喵星人看看小分队还吃了什么好吃的*最香的居酒屋呀，藏在最深的巷子里*全球吸粉70万,火到上海的这款荔枝清酒蛋糕值得吃吗？*周一晚,从未断片的我们居然在"清醒公司"集体喝挂了*魔都最强火锅店终极对决：大龙燚VS小龙坎！有TA还要什么哥老官【账号介绍】[大上海吃货小分队]由中美两地资深吃货设立，立志分享和解决“吃”这一哲学问题，不仅分享魔都美食美酒，也分享国外有故事和有情怀的美食发现，关注我们，将不定期挑选粉丝一起探索好吃好玩的餐厅。微信公众号：fzshanghai遇见在魔都对美食热爱的你笔芯~发布于 2018-05-16 09:53旧金山 (San Francisco)奶茶美国​赞同 24​​添加评论​分享​喜欢​收藏​申请

什么是波霸？对茶爱好者来说必读_boba

什么是波霸？对茶爱好者来说必读_boba

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什么是波霸？对茶爱好者来说必读

2019-03-07 14:21

来源:

奶茶创业直通车

原标题：什么是波霸？对茶爱好者来说必读

如果你在20世纪90年代末长大，那么你可能还记得boba是你儿时的食物趋势。二十年后，这种甜食仍然没有消散的迹象。事实上，boba咖啡馆仍然是美国各地许多城市的热门聚会场所。虽然波霸茶直到90年代才在各州达到主流地位，其起源实际上可以追溯到20世纪80年代的台湾。这种甜味的茶基饮料有很多种，但它们很容易被漂浮在饮料中的大型彩色木薯球所识别。（“boba”这个名称特指那些耐嚼的小珍珠。）

饮料本身可以是茶或果汁，通常称为波霸茶，泡茶或珍珠奶茶。如果您从未尝过它，最好从基本的波霸奶茶开始，或选择您特别偏爱的味道，如草莓或椰子。很想知道一杯波霸茶里面有什么？继续阅读以了解有关这种时尚美食的更多信息。

什么是波霸？

虽然有各种各样的boba饮料，但最常见的混合物包括与牛奶或水果结合的茶基，通常在甜boba珍珠床上准备。有boba牛奶茶，绿茶，红茶，冰沙，咖啡饮料，以及一系列其他可以增加丰富口味的制剂，从甜味到咸味。奶茶通常用粉状奶精制备，尽管在一些食谱中使用新鲜牛奶。

这是木薯的全部

boba珍珠赋予饮料独特的味道和质地。尽管珍珠可能大或小，但大珍珠在美国的boba咖啡馆中最为常见。

木薯来自木薯根，是一种淀粉。这些珍珠完全不含麸质，通常与红糖混合制成香味，这就是它们如何获得独特的黑色着色。质地类似于软糖熊，由于珍珠吸收杯内的液体，因此风味适应饮料的味道。

波霸简史

虽然有一些相互矛盾的故事，但最常见的是boba起源于台湾台南汉林茶馆。茶馆的主人Tu Tsong-he于1986年首次用白色木薯球销售这种饮料。后来，他转而使用现在熟悉的黑珍珠。到20世纪90年代初，boba在整个东亚和东南亚引起轰动。在北美，它首先在以亚洲人口为主的社区中成为时尚，并逐渐扩展为广泛的文化现象。

波霸健康吗？

与大多数咖啡和茶饮料一样，营养价值取决于制剂。许多boba饮料含有高糖，碳水化合物和卡路里。如果您担心自己的腰围或血糖，那么您肯定想订一份小食物或者在特殊场合保存这种食物。木薯粉本身没有有益的营养成分，但优质的绿茶混合物可以帮助你规避一些内疚。请记住，即使是一个16盎司的绿茶boba也可以装50克以上的碳水化合物，40克的糖和大约240卡路里的热量。

此外，2012年德国亚琛大学医院进行的一项研究发现，boba可能含有多氯联苯（PCBs）形式的微量致癌物质。然而，有些人质疑研究结果，因为研究人员的方法学缺乏透明度，而且结果并未在其他地方复制。在这一点上，研究结果应该采用一粒盐或红糖，就此而言。

虽然boba可能不是你可以选择的最健康的饮料，但它肯定是美味的，值得偶尔挥霍。返回搜狐，查看更多 责任编辑：

平台声明：该文观点仅代表作者本人，搜狐号系信息发布平台，搜狐仅提供信息存储空间服务。

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What is Boba? Everything You Need to Know About Bubble Tea - Thrillist

is Boba? Everything You Need to Know About Bubble Tea - ThrillistSkip to main contentLike Thrillist on Facebook.Follow Thrillist on Instagram.Follow Thrillist on Twitter.Subscribe to Thrillist on YouTube.Follow Thrillist on TikTok.SubscribeGo to NavigationCitiesAtlantaAustinBostonChicagoDallasDenverHoustonLas VegasLos AngelesMiamiNashvilleNew OrleansNew YorkPhiladelphiaPhoenixSan DiegoSan FranciscoWashington DCPlan Your TripTips & HacksWhat to PackLodgingFlightsTrainsCruisesRoad TripsBudgetSplurgeGuides & DestinationsNeighborhood GuidesMapsTravel GuidesTravel InspirationWeekend GetawaysBig CitiesSmall TownsHidden GemsInternational TripsMountainsDesertsForestsBeachesExperiencesArts & CultureCannabisFamilyFood & DrinkHikingLGBTQ+MusicNightlifeOutdoors & NatureShopping & StyleSportsStargazingWellnessNews & TrendsNewsTrendsVideo EatBobaEverything You Ever Needed to Know About BobaFrom taro milk tea to blended slushies with pudding, we've got you covered.By Kat ThompsonUpdated on 5/7/2021 at 12:44 PMPhoto: littlekop/ShutterstockPhoto: littlekop/ShutterstockAs someone who grew up in what might very well be the boba capital of America—the San Gabriel Valley—milk tea courses through my veins. Weekly trips to get boba turned into semi-weekly, then, daily. High school study group sessions took place at boba shops, with Taiwanese-style popcorn chicken and jasmine green tea providing sustenance. Debates over which place has the best, chewiest boba continue to rage, and when the New York Times infamously described boba as “the blobs in your tea,” boba enthusiasts across America collectively rolled our eyes.Boba shops have now bloomed all over America and are no longer limited to the Taiwanese enclaves they once resided in 15 years ago. For those who haven’t had the chance to experience the magic that is boba, and find themselves staring, perplexed, at the overwhelming menu full of customizable options, we are here to guide you.What is boba?The short answer: they’re cassava starch balls.The longer answer: the term boba can, holistically, be in reference to the entire drink-plus-toppings, the most popular topping being tapioca pearls (which also happen to be called boba—I know, it’s confusing, but stay with me!). The drink as a whole is also known as bubble tea, pearl tea, and tapioca tea—depending on what part of the country you’re from. As stated earlier, the tapioca pearls that are also called “boba” are generally made from cassava starch, a root vegetable from South America that is also referred to as yuca.Boba—the drink in its entirety—originates from Taiwan, though its disputed which city and specific shop it actually started from. Originally, boba pearls were used in shaved ice desserts and paired with syrups, beans, and delectably chewy rice balls. Milk tea was also consumed regularly and thankfully, someone decided to merge the two, thus creating the genius, beloved drink we now have today.Boba culture made its way to America through Taiwanese neighborhoods and blossomed near college campuses and high schools, where students would gather for study groups. Most boba shops, even now, are open late and offer affordable snacks and drinks, which make them the perfect stop for late-night hang outs and studying.Photo: Jaybranding Studio/ShutterstockBasesThe tea base for boba drinks is usually black or green tea and can be customized with an array of syrups like peach, strawberry, and lychee. Milk can also be added to teas, transforming them to milk teas, and making for a much creamier, indulgent drink. The classic “boba milk tea” order is a black tea with milk and boba.Some drinks, however, stray away from the conventional green and black tea base. Taro milk tea, another popular choice, is made from the tropical taro root. Refreshing fruit teas, often with fresh fruit slices mixed right in, are usually available and often caffeine-free. Bright orange Thai tea also makes an appearance on most boba menus, and coffee milk tea is a choice for coffee enthusiasts who want the best of both worlds. There are also oolong, matcha, and white teas to pick from.Beyond teas, most boba shops also have slushies and milk drinks available too. Slushies are typically made from tea and syrups that are thrown in a blender with crushed ice, resulting in a sweet and frosty treat. Milk drinks have milk as a base and are usually sweetened with honey or brown sugar syrup—which might not sit will for those who are lactose-intolerant.That being said, lots of boba shops offer milk alternatives—like soy, almond, lactose-free milk, and even oat milk—which nicely accommodates the “30 million to 50 million Americans [who] are lactose intolerant.”Half the fun of going out for a boba, which is both a beverage and a snack rolled in one, is customizing it perfectly to your tastes. Almost all boba shops give you the option to adjust the sweetness of your drink, change how much ice you want, and even have hot and cold options (for when you need your boba fix but it’s freezing outside).Toppings (maybe the most important part)BobaThis is the quintessential topping at any tea parlor. Once these balls of cassava root are rolled into bite size bunches, they’re boiled and flavored, often with brown sugar or honey. The result is a subtly sweet, chewy addition to your drink that increases the fun of having a milk tea tenfold. If you’re trying milk tea for the first time, I’d definitely recommend going classic and adding boba to your drink.PuddingThis is not to be confused with snack pack-style pudding. Pudding at boba shops are custard-like in flavor—made from egg yolks, cream, and sugar—but firmer due to the addition of gelatin. The closest thing I could compare it to is a very soft flan. They have the slightest chew and pair really nicely with creamier, more indulgent milk teas. Sometimes, boba shops will also have flavored puddings, like taro or mango pudding. Customize your drink to your preference, or even add pudding on top of boba for different textures!Grass jellyDon’t worry—it tastes nothing like grass (nor is it made from grass). The treat is made from Chinese mesona, a plant that is part of the mint family. The jelly is usually steeped in brown sugar for a slightly sweet, herbaceous taste. Grass jelly comes cut in cubes and texturally is firmer than pudding. I’d recommend pairing grass jelly with any milk tea, as it makes the perfect substitute for boba if you’re feeling experimental. It also goes well with coffee-based drinks.Aloe VeraAloe vera is rich in antioxidants and said to be beneficial for your skin, so why not add it to your drink order? These clear, cubed jellies are soaked in a syrup and taste refreshing and sweet. Because the flavor is a bit subdued, aloe vera jelly goes nicely with bolder, tropical flavors. I’d recommend adding it to citrus drinks, like an orange or passion fruit green tea.Photo: Sitthipong Pengjan/ShutterstockSago/tapiocaSago tastes like tapioca pudding without any of the pudding. The texture is chewy and spongy, but with much more give than a tapioca pearl. These delicate, mini pearls makes appearances in many traditional Asian desserts, and pairs nicely with coconut, red bean, and matcha flavors. I suggest swapping them in for boba if you don’t want to chew your drink as much.Taro ballsUnlike boba pearls, which have a springy texture that bounces back mid-chew, taro balls have a more gentle melt-in-your-mouth feel to them. These add-ons are made from taro, mashed with sweet potato or tapioca flour and water to form misshapen spheres of deliciousness. In Taiwan, taro balls are often eaten in a bowl as a dessert, both iced and hot. Add it to your taro milk tea for a double dose of taro, or pair it with oolong milk tea for a dessert-drink hybrid.Red beanIf you think beans don’t belong in desserts or drinks, you are missing out on a delicious opportunity to get more fiber in your diet. Red bean (also commonly known as the azuki bean) is prepared by boiling the legume in sugar, resulting in a fragrant, soft mixture. Traditionally, red bean complements matcha, so I’d recommend having it in a matcha milk tea for an earthy drink.Whipped foam/creamWhipped foam toppings are a recent development in the world of boba milk teas. Ranging from tiramisu crema, to sea salt cream, these thick, glossy foams are gently layered on top of teas and sipped on delicately. There’s even “cheese tea,” which is whipped cheese powder or cream cheese that provides a salty balance to the syrupy sweet teas of boba shops. The texture is similar to a fluffy mousse and provides an awesome foam mustache when enjoyed correctly.Photo: thaweerat/ShutterstockHow it is served?When your boba drink is ordered—customized with ice levels, sweetness, and toppings galore—your creation typically goes through a special sealing machine. Boba straws are larger than typical straws to accommodate the chunks of tapioca, fruit chunks, or whatever else you have in your beverage, and come with a pointed tip to pierce through the sealed top of your drink (just make sure you have your thumb pressed firmly over the top hole of your straw before you drive it through the film of plastic covering your drink, or else your drink will explode everywhere).These days, there are even metal and glass boba straws available for purchase to reduce the need for single-use plastic boba straws.Some boba shops have shorter, stouter cups filled with their sweet milk-tea nectars. Other shops skip the sealing machine and serve their drinks with plastic tops similar to those of drinks at Starbucks. Hot drinks usually come in your typical to-go coffee cups, with an attached spoon if your hot beverage contains toppings.Regardless of what container your beverage arrives in, the next best thing at boba shops are the snacks. Boba shops usually serve up traditional Taiwanese snacks, which includes salty and spicy Taiwanese popcorn chicken, spiced french fries, minced pork with rice, and tea eggs. Larger boba shops may have expanded menus and additional seating that can change your boba outing from a snack run to a proper meal. At those locations, it’s unsurprising for the shops to have Taiwanese pork chop, noodles, and dumplings on the menu, with condensed milk-glazed brick toasts for dessert.What’s the cost?Boba milk teas will generally set you back a couple of dollars, depending on where you go for your drink. Some of the larger, more established chains, like Lollicup and Quickly, tend to be on the cheaper side, with drinks ranging from $3-$5, depending on what kind of toppings you get. Toppings usually cost an additional 50 cents per topping, but they also range from place to place.Tea shops that have a stronger focus on fresh ingredients and organic options, like Boba Guys and 7leaves, may have slightly higher price points—but in those cases you’re paying for quality.Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat!Kat Thompson is a staff food writer at Thrillist. Follow her on Twitter @katthompsonn.By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.Cookie SettingsNewsletterAccessibilityAdvertise With UsCareersCookie PolicyDo Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationPressPrivacyTerms + ConditionsThis publication is a Vox Media network.©2024 Vox Media, LLC. 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Boba Explained: Types of Bubble Tea, and How to Order - Eater

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Boba Explained: A Taxonomy of Taipei’s Bubble Tea

A sipper’s guide to the bouncy, chewy treat Taiwan has exported to the world

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Leslie Nguyen-Okwu

Mar 16, 2019, 9:00am EDT

Photos by Sean Marc Lee

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Boba Explained: A Taxonomy of Taipei’s Bubble Tea

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Taiwan is the undisputed boba capital of the world: Here, the midday caffeine hit is a boba break, not a coffee run, and a shoulder-slung boba cupholder is the must-have accessory. Over the last several decades, these bracing cups of sweet, creamy, chewy refreshment — which are also called “bubble tea” and “pearl milk tea” — have become a go-to beverage throughout not just Taiwan, but also all over Asia, North America, and Europe.

Okay, but what even is it?

The word “boba” can refer to either a broad category of chunky drinks — including everything from iced tea with tapioca pearls to fresh juice loaded with fruity bits — or black tapioca pearls themselves. Boba tea, bubble tea, and pearl milk tea — in Taiwan, zhenzhu naicha (珍珠奶茶) — are essentially different names for the same thing; the monikers differ by location, but also personal preference. (In the U.S., the East Coast favors bubble tea, while the West prefers boba.) Whatever you call it, in its most basic form, the drink consists of black tea, milk, ice, and chewy tapioca pearls, all shaken together like a martini and served with that famously fat straw to accommodate the marbles of tapioca that cluster at the bottom of the cup.

The pearls are made from tapioca starch, an extract of the South American cassava plant, which came to Taiwan from Brazil via Southeast Asia during the period of Japanese rule between 1895 and 1945. Tapioca pearls start white, hard, and rather tasteless, and then are boiled inside huge, bubbling vats and steeped in sugary caramelized syrup for hours, until eventually they’re transformed into those black, springy tapioca pearls we’ve come to know and slurp.

Custom bubble tea holders are a staple in Taipei

It’s that addictive texture that’s become the boba signature. Known locally as Q or QQ (as in, very Q), the untranslatable bouncy, rubbery, chewy consistency is treasured in Taiwan. Look around and you’ll see the Q plastered prominently on food packaging and affixed to shop signs. It’s also key to the texture of mochi, fish balls, and noodles. Indeed, the quality of boba drinks is measured by how much Q power lurks within the tapioca pearls. Like the Italian notion of al dente, Q is difficult to master and hard to capture — boba with the right Q factor isn’t too soft or too bouncy, but has just the right amount of toothiness.

Prior to the 1980s, Q-rich tapioca balls were a common topping for desserts like the ubiquitous heaps of snow-like shaved ice found throughout Taiwan, while milk tea was already a favorite local drink. But the two weren’t combined until, as one version of the story goes, Liu Han Chieh began serving cold tea at his Taichung tea shop, Chun Shui Tang (春水堂人文茶館), sometime in the early ’80s. A few years later, the company’s product manager, Lin Hsiu Hui, plopped some tapioca balls into her iced tea at a staff meeting, and the rest, apparently, is beverage history. There are rival origin myths, too: One credits Hanlin Tea Room (翰林茶館), a tea shop in Tainan. The one thing that everybody agrees upon is that the name “boba” is a reference to the 1980s Hong Kong sex symbol Amy Yip, whose nickname, “Boba,” is also a Chinese slang term for her most famous pair of physical assets.

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice in Taipei

An employee fills a cup at TopQ in Banqiao, Taipei

Since its beginnings, the basic tapioca iced tea recipe has evolved into an entire genre of drinks. Milks can range from whole and skim to nondairy substitutes like almond and coconut — or often there’s no milk (or milk-like product) at all, as in the case of cold tea-infused or juice-based drinks. The pearls can be fat as marbles, small as peas, square-shaped, red, or even crystal clear. There are now more than 21,000 boba shops in Taiwan, with thousands more around the world — many belonging to successful international chains like CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice (都可), Gong Cha, and Sharetea. And while the term was once confined to tea shops, you’ll find throughout Taiwan that the boba trend is now being incorporated into desserts, sandwiches, cocktails, and even skincare. Wherever you are here, if you dig deep enough, you’ll eventually strike boba.

As the sheer number of boba options reaches critical mass, it’s hard for a boba slinger to stand out. The boba arms race escalated dramatically over the last decade — especially since Instagram started seeping into Taiwanese culture — and a new breed of shop has begun offering more elaborate drinks with outrageous flavors and virality-primed color combinations. And as neighboring China grows its role on the global stage and aims to erode Taiwan’s international influence, Taiwan’s boba shops are fast becoming unofficial embassies for cultural outreach. Boba diplomacy, in all its permutations, is helping the world better understand Taiwanese culture and cuisine. But first, you have to understand boba — in all of its 2019 cheese-topped, charcoal-stained, fruit-filled glory. Here, then, is a detailed boba breakdown, as well as all the best places in Taipei (and nearby Taoyuan) to get your fix.

The Taxonomy

A regular milk tea from 50 Lan

Classic Milk Tea

The one that started it all. Black tea is shaken with frothy milk, crushed ice, and a few generous handfuls of marble-sized, caramelized tapioca pearls. There are versions with different milks and various teas, but the classic still satisfies. Where to get it: Huangjin Bubble Tea (黃巾珍珠奶茶), No. 3-1, Lane 205, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei; also at Milk Shop (迷客夏) and Chatime (日出茶太) with multiple locations across Taipei

A brown sugar boba milk tea from Tiger Sugar

Brown Sugar

Ultra-rich brown sugar boba tea has been an explosive hit in Taiwan, made popular in part thanks to the chain Tiger Sugar — a milk-heavy boba drink doused with a generous shot of cloyingly sweet brown sugar syrup, all swirling in a beautiful gradient of cocoa-browns and pearly whites. Where to get it: Chen San Ding (陳三鼎), No. 2, Alley 8, Lane 316, Section 3, Luosifu Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei; also Tiger Sugar (老虎堂), multiple locations across Taipei

Taro blended milk tea from CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice

Taro Milk Tea

Taro bubble tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and later swept throughout Asia and the West. Notable for its color, which runs from purple-tinged brown to nearly lilac, and its coconut-like flavor, taro (a root vegetable similar to a sweet potato) is pureed and added to boba milk tea, where it acts as a thickener and flavoring. Where to get it: CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice, multiple locations across Taipei

A fresh strawberry boba fruit tea from CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice

Fruit-Filled

If milk isn’t your cup of tea, there are fresh fruit-based boba drinks that have the same addictive textures. Popular flavors include mango, lychee, winter melon, lemon, and even tomato, and they come bobbing with boba pearls but also other stuff, like aiyu jelly (made with the seeds of a local variety of creeping fig), watermelon cubes, and crunchy passionfruit seeds. Where to get it: Yi Fang (一芳) Taiwan Fruit Tea and MR.WISH (鮮果茶玩家), multiple locations across Taipei

Regular milk tea with red chile boba from TopQ

Fully Loaded

Add-ins have long since expanded beyond tapioca balls, and now include options like grass jelly, aloe vera, almond jelly, custardy egg pudding, adzuki beans, panna cotta, chia seeds, sweet potato balls, even Oreo cookies, because why not? The tapioca balls themselves have slowly evolved beyond the standard sugary taste, and now cover a wild spectrum of flavors, including sea salt, cheese, wood ear mushroom, quinoa, tomato, chocolate, Sichuan pepper, jujube, and barley. Where to get it: Babo Arms (珍珠手作自動化茶飲), No. 11, Lane 248, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei; also at Day Day Drink (日日裝茶) and Don’t Yell at Me (不要對我尖叫，日常茶間) with multiple locations across Taipei

Mermaid’s Tears, an ice-blended concoction of mango, lemon, honey, milk, and boba dyed blue with butterfly pea flowers, from Bobii Frutii

Eye Candy

Fueled by Instagram, shops in Taiwan are churning out drinks designed to look as good as — or better than — they taste, ideally while clutched in full sunlight by a freshly manicured hand. Scroll through a boba-focused feed to spot bright, spicy drinks with red-hot pearls and a sprinkling of chile powder, tie-dye versions made with blue butterfly pea, and jet-black cups infused with inky (and detoxifying) charcoal. Some shops are also turning toward alternative organic sweeteners like honey and agave nectar for the health-conscious. Where to get it: Bobii Frutii (珍珠水果特調), No. 8, Lane 13, Yongkang Street, Da’an District, Taipei; the moment (這一刻), No. 41, Section 2, Longgang Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan; also at TopQ Bubble Tea (塔彼Ｑ) with multiple locations across Taipei

A mix of powdered cheese, salt, whipping cream, and milk crowns a cup from Chun Yang Tea

Cheese Tea

A Taiwanese night market stand began combining powdered cheese and salt with whipping cream and milk to form a foamy, tangy layer on the top of a cup of cold tea. The cheese-topped drink is now popular in many parts of Asia, and has found an audience Stateside as well. Where to get it: Chun Yang Tea (春陽茶事); multiple locations across Taipei

A boba pastry from Tino’s Pizza shop

Edibles, Cocktails, Skincare, and All the Rest

Considering the amount of chewing already involved, it’s no surprise that boba pearls are now starring in a number of culinary applications, working their way into everything from souffle pancakes, sandwiches, hot pot soup, pizza, creme brulee, and of course the stalwart, shaved ice. Where to get it: Belle Époque (美好年代), No. 23, Lane 52, Section 1, Da’an Road, Da’an District, Taipei; also at Baoguo (包果) and Ice Monster, both with multiple locations across Taipei

For those who wish for their boba stiff, there are now boba cocktails, made with vodka, tequila, gin, rum, or bourbon. Bars throughout Taiwan and beyond are experimenting with these alcoholic boba concoctions, and Los Angeles even has a boba-centric bar dedicated to liquor-filled spins on traditional boba flavors. Where to get it: Chinese Whispers (悄悄話餐酒館), No. 11, Alley 2, Lane 345, Section 4, Ren’ai Road, Da’an District, Taipei

And then, go ahead, smear boba all over your face if you want. Taiwan now offers lotions, facial blotting tissues, candles, and even boba milk tea face masks (with real boba pearls inside), all boasting the signature, sticky-sweet fragrance of boba milk tea. Gimmicky, sure, but anything in the name of beauty — and boba. Where to get it: Annie’s Way Mask Gallery (安妮絲薇)

Order Like A Pro

Boba comes equipped with its own lingo. Whichever style you choose, get your drink like a local — fully customized. Here’s a glossary:

Quán táng (全糖) - Full sugar

Shǎo táng (少糖) - Less sugar

Bàn táng (半糖) - Half sugar

Wēi táng (微糖) - Some sugar

Zhèngcháng bīng (正常冰) - Regular ice

Shǎo bīng (少冰) - Less ice

Qù bīng (去冰) - No ice

Wēn yǐn (溫飲) - Warm

Rèyǐn (熱飲) - Hot

Leslie Nguyen-Okwu is a bilingual journalist based in Taipei, Taiwan, and covers emerging Asia.Sean Marc Lee is a portraiture, lifestyle, editorial, and street fashion photographer who splits his time between Taipei, Tokyo, and Los Angeles.

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Boba Milk Tea Recipe by Tasty

Milk Tea Recipe by TastyOpens in a new windowOpens an external site in a new windowOpens an external siteTasty LogoBuzzFeed LogoClockPlayPinterestFacebookEmailInstagramLinkSMSTwitterYouTubeWhatsAppXSearchClockRight ArrowArrow DownCaret downCaret upCaret leftCaret rightHamburger MenuPop OutThumbs upThumbs up buySpeechAudio onReplayPlusMinusWalmart Grocery PickupSad smiley faceNo resultsSwapMoreYour grocery bagSuccessShop Tasty MerchYour Cart (empty)Your CartFacebookPinterestEmailPrintSmsTwitterWhatsappCommentTips HighlightsSkip to ContentRecipesTips & TricksProductsBegin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, press Enter to select and submit search query.Search for recipesCloserecipes submenuPopularGetting Back to BasicsEasy DinnersWork Lunches5 Ingredient MealsSt. Patrick's DayRight NowSlow Cooker RecipesLatest RecipesFamily DinnersPlant-Based MealsDate NightIngredientsChickenPastaPineapplePotatoBeefDietHealthyVegetarianLow CarbHigh ProteinVeganMealsBreakfastLunchDinnerDessertsSnacksSubmit a recipe to Tasty!Have a recipe of your own to share?Submit your recipeClosetricks submenuKitchen Tips & SkillsOur Best Everyday TipsMistakes to AvoidAdvice from ChefsBaking BasicsCulinary School SecretsFood HacksFlavor HacksStorage HacksBaking HacksEgg HacksPizza HacksAppliance CookingInstant Pot TricksCrock Pot PastaAir Fryer RecipesMicrowave MealsFood Processor HacksMeal PlansMy Meal Plan, My WayEasy Meal PrepFamily Dinners$40 A Week$50 A WeekCloseshop submenuLatest CookbooksShop allTasty AdultingTasty PrideTasty Latest & GreatestShop all cookbooksFeatured CookwareShop allTasty Ceramic Non-Stick 16-Piece Cookware SetShop all cookwareGetting Back to BasicsSlow Cooker RecipesEasy DinnersWork LunchesLatest RecipesFamily DinnersGetting Back to BasicsEasy DinnersWork LunchesSlow Cooker RecipesLatest RecipesFamily DinnersCuisineAsianTaiwaneseBeveragesHigh-FiberLow-FatHigh-ProteinUnder 1 HourVenezuelanJamaicanDominicanPeruvianLebaneseSouth AfricanFilipinoMother's DayAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSpecial OccasionIndulgent SweetsStove TopSummerPartyHappy HourSnacksDrinksDessertsEasyBoba Milk Teafeatured in How To Make Bubble TeaThis classic boba milk tea was inspired by my experiences walking around Taiwan. Every cup of boba milk tea had this signature condensed milk flavor that fused perfectly with the concentrated black tea. A lot of stands also use whole milk, so if you’re not a fan of condensed milk, whole milk will also give you an authentic taste of Taiwanese Boba Milk Tea! This drink is a thirst-quencher with a great caffeine kick. If you prefer your drinks to be less sweet, reduce the amount of brown sugar syrup or condensed milk during assembly. Don’t have muscovado sugar? Swap it out for brown sugar!Jasmine PakTasty TeamUpdated on January 18, 202192% would make againShare via facebookShare via pinterestShare via emailShare via smsPrintTotal Time1 hr1 hrPrep Time30 minutes30 minCook Time20 minutes20 minTotal Time1 hr1 hrPrep Time30 minutes30 minCook Time20 minutes20 minIngredientsfor 2 servingsBoba Pearls⅓ cup water (75 g), plus more as needed¼ cup dark muscovado sugar (55 g), or brown sugar¾ cup tapioca flour (65 g), plus more for dustingBrown Sugar Syrup1 cup dark muscovado sugar (220 g), or brown sugar1 cup water (240 mL)Black Tea2 cups water (480 mL)6 black tea bagsMilk Mixture3 tablespoons half & half3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milkAssembly3 cups ice (450 g), dividedSpecial Equipmentwide-opening strawNutrition InfoView InfoCalories 598Fat 1gCarbs 146gFiber 0gSugar 99gProtein 1gEstimated values based on one serving size.PreparationMake the boba pearls: Add the water and muscovado sugar to a medium pan over medium-high heat. Cook until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil, 3–4 minutes. Add a bit of the tapioca flour and cook, stirring constantly, until smooth. Add half of the remaining tapioca flour and stir vigorously until a sticky dough forms. Turn off the heat and add the remaining tapioca flour. Stir until the dough comes together in a ball (not all of the flour will be incorporated at this stage). Let cool slightly.Turn the dough out onto a clean surface. Knead until all of the flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth, adding more flour or water as needed if the dough is too sticky or too dry.Divide the dough into 2 portions. Roll the dough into long, thin ropes about ¼-inch (6.35 mm) thick, cutting in half crosswise if they get too long. Cut the ropes into ¼-inch (6.35 mm) pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place in a bowl with a bit of tapioca flour. Dust the balls with the flour to prevent them from sticking to each other.Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Shake off any excess flour from the tapioca pearls, then add to the boiling water. Stir to separate the pearls, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, until cooked through.Meanwhile, make the brown sugar syrup: Add the muscovado sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the sugar dissolves and the syrup reduces slightly, 5–7 minutes. Pour the syrup into a large heatproof bowl.Once the pearls have cooked through, drain and rinse with cold water. Add the pearls to the bowl with the brown sugar syrup and let sit for 30–60 minutes.Make the black tea: In a medium pot over high heat, combine the water and tea bags. Bring to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat and let the tea cool to room temperature.Make the milk mixture: In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the half-and-half and sweetened condensed milk until combined.Assemble the boba milk tea: Add about ⅓ cup (80 ml) boba pearls and brown sugar syrup to the bottom of each glass. Top with 1½ cups (225 grams) ice, then add ½ cup (240 ml) black tea and 3 tablespoons of the milk mixture. Stir with a wide-opening straw, then serve.Enjoy!Love this recipe? Download the Tasty app to save it and discover others like it.Trending RecipesTasty Logo footerGet the Tasty AppGet the Tasty NewsletterEmail address (required)Sign upThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Follow Tasty© 2023 BuzzFeed, IncSend feedbackRecipes by IngredientCommunity RecipesPrivacy PolicyUser AgreementAccessibility StatementOur Tasty Values© 2023 BuzzFeed,

How to Make Bubble Tea (Step-by-Step Recipe) | The Kitchn

to Make Bubble Tea (Step-by-Step Recipe) | The Kitchn

KitchnThe logomark and logotype for the Kitchn brand. NewslettersMealsDinner IdeasBreakfasts & BrunchLunchAppetizersSide DishesSnacksDessertsDrinks & CocktailsMore...IngredientsChickenBeef & SteakPorkSalmonPotatoesEggsRiceIngredient Explainers & SwapsMore...Dish TypesCasserolesLasagna & PastaPizzaSauces & MarinadesSalad DressingsPancakes & WafflesCookiesAir FryerMore...Regional CuisinesItalianFrenchBritishMediterraneanIndianKoreanFilipinoLatin AmericanMore...OccasionsRamadanPassoverEasterMemorial DayJuly 4thThanksgiving Hanukkah ChristmasKitchensOrganizing & StorageCleaningDeclutteringPantriesDesign & RemodelingRenovation DiariesCooking TipsKnife SkillsIngredient PrepBaking TipsGrilling TipsFreezing & Preserving TipsCooking SchoolMore...Tools & GroceriesStovetop CookwareSmall AppliancesKnives & CutleryGadgets & UtensilsCoffee GearOven BakewareGrocery Taste TestsPet EssentialsBest ListsFood & CultureThe Way We EatPersonal EssaysGrocery DiariesLove LettersFood NewsFood HistoryFeatured on KitchnRecipesBeveragesTeaHow To Make Bubble TeaEmma ChristensenEmma ChristensenEmma is a former editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews and Brew Better Beer. Check out her website for more cooking storiesupdated Oct 2, 2023summerBe the first to leave a review!Here's how to make a refreshing glass of bubble tea, whether you like it sweet and fruity or milky and creamy. Makes1 drinkfacebookpinterestemailPage URLreviewsJump to RecipeWe independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.XDo you love bubble tea? Personally, I can’t walk past a bubble tea shop without suddenly craving one of these sweet, ice-cold beverages dotted with chewy boba tapioca pearls. It’s the most thirst-quenching snack I can think of. Fortunately, bubble tea is super easy to make at home. Quick OverviewHow to Make Bubble Tea

Cook the boba: Boil 2 cups of water for every 1/4 cup of boba. Add boba and stir until they float. Reduce heat to medium; cook 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit.

Make the sugar syrup: Boil 1/2 cup water. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup sugar until dissolved.

Prepare a cup of tea: Boil 1 cup of water, remove from heat, add tea bags, and steep 15 minutes. Chill the tea.

Store the boba: Drain boba and transfer to a small container. Pour sugar syrup over top until submerged. Let sit until boba are room temperature or refrigerate.

Make the bubble tea: Pour the tea into a tall glass and add the boba. Add milk, juice, or extra water. Sweeten with the simple syrup.

Where Does Bubble Tea Come From?Boba tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and spread throughout Southeast Asia before finding its way to the U.S. Most of us think of bubble tea as being synonymous with boba tapioca pearls, but bubble tea was originally just a cold milk tea that was shaken until frothy. Sometimes boba were added, but basil seeds or cubes of jelly were also used. (Image credit: Emma Christensen)Where You Can Find Boba Tapioca PearlsYou can find boba at almost any Asian grocery store or online. These marble-sized spheres are made from tapioca, just like the smaller pearls we use for tapioca pudding. They come in a range of colors, but all boba have a fairly neutral flavor. Once cooked, it’s best to mix them with some sugar syrup — this gives them some sweetness and also helps preserve any pearls you’re not using right away. WuFuYuan – Tapioca Pearl (Black)$6.59 at Amazon(Image credit: Emma Christensen)Keeping Boba Soft and ChewyBoba are at their best and chewiest if used within a few hours of cooking. However, the longer cooking method I outline below helps the boba stay soft and moist for several days if kept refrigerated in simple syrup. They will gradually start to harden and become crunchy in the middle. For a quick-fix bubble tea when you know you’ll eat them right away, just boil the boba until they are soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Putting the Tea in Boba TeaThe sweet and creamy bubble teas you buy in the stores are usually flavored with special powders and sweetened condensed milk. You can buy these powders online, along with the boba themselves, but I think that boba made with regular tea and other more natural sweeteners are just as good. You only need to make one cup of strong tea — any tea of your choosing — and mix it with regular milk, almond milk, sweetened condensed milk, or fruit juice. A little simple syrup leftover from soaking the boba helps sweeten things up. What’s your favorite kind of bubble tea? CommentsBubble Tea RecipePrintHere's how to make a refreshing glass of bubble tea, whether you like it sweet and fruity or milky and creamy. Makes 1 drinkNutritional InfoViewfish-freepeanut-freeegg-freealcohol-freevegetariansoy-freepork-freewheat-freeno-oil-addedgluten-freeshellfish-freepescatarianred-meat-freePer serving, based on 2 servings. (% daily value)Calories 262Fat 0.0 g (0.0%)Saturated 0.0 g (0.0%)Carbs 66.9 g (22.3%)Fiber 0.2 g (0.7%)Sugars 50.5 gProtein 0.0 g (0.1%)Sodium 3.1 mg (0.1%)Ingredients1/4 cup dried boba tapioca pearls per serving (NOT quick-cooking boba)1 to 2 tea bags per serving, any kind1/2 cup water1/2 cup sugarMilk, almond milk, or sweetened condensed milkFruit juice or nectar (optional)EquipmentSaucepanBowl for holding the cooked bobaMeasuring cupsInstructionsShow ImagesCombine the boba with water: Measure 2 cups of water for every 1/4 cup of boba being prepared into a saucepan. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the boba and stir gently until they begin floating to the top of the water.Cook the boba: Turn the heat to medium and cook the boba for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the pan from heat, cover, and let the pearls sit for another 12 to 15 minutes.Prepare the sugar syrup for the boba: While the boba are cooking, make a simple sugar syrup to sweeten and preserve them once cooked. Bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil over high heat on the stove or in the microwave. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup sugar until dissolved. Set aside to cool.Prepare a strong cup of tea: This can be done either while the boba are cooking or ahead of time. Allow enough time for the tea to cool completely before making the boba. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the tea bag (or bags); use one tea bag for regular-strength bubble tea or two for a stronger tea flavor. Remove the tea bag after 15 minutes and chill the tea.Store the boba until ready to assemble: Once the boba have finished cooking, drain them from the water and transfer them to a small bowl or container. Pour the sugar syrup over top until the boba are submerged. Let sit until the boba are room temperature, at least 15 minutes, or refrigerate until ready to use. Boba are best if used within a few hours of cooking, but will keep refrigerated for several days. The boba will gradually harden and become crunchy as they sit.Make the bubble tea: Pour the prepared tea into a tall glass and add the boba. Add milk for a creamy bubble tea, juice for a fruity tea, or leave plain and add a little extra water. Sweeten to taste with the simple syrup from soaking the boba.Recipe NotesVery chilled bubble tea: For an extra-chilly bubble tea, combine all the tea, milk, and/or juice, but not the boba in a cocktail shaker. Add a few ice cubes and shake for 20 seconds. Pour into a tall glass and add the boba.Shortcut boba: If you want immediate gratification, just cook your boba until they are tender, 5 to 10 minutes, and use them as soon as they're cool. This kind of boba doesn't keep for very long (turning rock-hard in a few hours), but is delicious if eaten right away.Saving leftover boba and making boba for later: Boba are best if used within a few hours of cooking, but will keep refrigerated with simple syrup for several days. The boba will gradually harden and become crunchy as they sit.Filed in:asianBeverageschineseDrinksGluten-FreeHealthy LivingApartment TherapyThe logomark and logotype for the Apartment Therapy brand.KitchnThe logomark and logotype for the Kitchn brand.CubbyThe logomark and logotype for the Cubby brand.Follow usGet our best recipes, grocery finds, and clever kitchen tips delivered to your inbox.email addressI'm InTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyBy signing up, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.RecipesOccasionsKitchensCooking TipsTools & GroceriesFood & CulturePartner with UsInsightsAboutContactTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyOur teamJobsSite mapEU and California Data Subject RequestsThe Kitchn is © 1994-2024 Apartment Therapy,

Boba Tea Origin: A Brief History of This Taiwanese Drink

ba Tea Origin: A Brief History of This Taiwanese Drink HOME COFFEE Coffee 101 Coffee Buying Guides TEA Tea 101 Tea Buying Guides ABOUT CONTACT SOCIAL Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest HOME COFFEE Coffee 101 Coffee Buying Guides TEA Tea 101 Tea Buying Guides ABOUT CONTACT SOCIAL Instagram Twitter Facebook Pinterest Boba Tea Origin: A Brief History of This Taiwanese DrinkUpdated on: February 25, 2022Author: NickIf you click on a product while reading this article and decide to buy it, we might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for all your support! You’ve come across bubble tea recently, or you’ve been an avid boba lover for many years, and now you want to learn more about the Boba Tea origin! These famous tea-based drinks with chewy tapioca balls are taking over the world, and there is no stopping them. Bubble tea has managed to sustain and gain popularity all over the world, not just its country of origin: Taiwan.  Sometimes I wonder who on Earth came up with such an idea?  My curiosity to learn about the origins of boba tea has landed me on a research mission, and I’m now ready to report back!  So stick with me to learn more about where bubble tea comes from. By the way, boba tea is also known as pearl milk tea or pearl tea, bubble milk tea, tapioca milk tea or tapioca tea, boba milk tea or just BOBA.  Could there be any more names?! Maybe...check our page discussing the nuances of calling this drink bubble tea vs boba to find out! For the purposes of this post though, we’ll interchangeably use all above names! Where Does Boba Tea Originate From? Back in the 1600s during the partial Dutch colonization of Taiwan, the combination of tea, milk, and sugar was introduced and became popular in Taiwan. This milk tea drinking culture endured up to modern times. It was also during the colonization times that tapioca was introduced to Taiwan (and Asia in general). Tapioca comes from the cassava root, a plant native from South America.  This introduced another type of starch in Asia and Southeast Asia. Tapioca starch versions of already familiar dishes started to become more popular over time. For example, sago pearls were slowly replaced by tapioca pearls, mainly due to tapioca being a cheaper option. So before bubble tea was invented, shaved iced and tapioca pearls were already relatively common desserts in Taiwan. Let’s fast forward to the 1980s, which is when the story of bubble tea begins. In Taiwan, drinking tea at stalls was (and continues to be) a common practice  (as in many locations in East Asia). So it is believed that someone had the bright idea of mixing shaved ice, tapioca balls, and milk tea!  The result? The first classic milk tea originated.  The name “Boba” was suggested, considering the spherical shape of the tapioca pearls. Boba is slang for breasts in Chinese; however, it’s not considered an offensive name. Bubble tea in Taiwan is what soda and coffee are in the US! With time, boba tea evolved and grew out of Taiwan. Tea stall owners started introducing new boba flavors and toppings. There are now a plethora of different boba flavors and boba toppings for every type of preference. What Tradition Influenced The Origin Of Boba? Although the drink might seem like a recent trend, boba has been a popular drink in Asian countries since the 80s. The exact origins of boba are considered a topic of debate to date. Different people claim the discovery of the delicious drink.  The first story regarding the boba tea origins goes… The Hanlin Tea Room of Tainan claims that bubble tea was invented in 1986. The story says that the teahouse owner Tu Tsong-he saw tapioca balls in the local market of Ah-bó-liâu. There he thought of the idea of using the tapioca pearls in his tea. Thereafter, this new tea with tapioca bubbles which was shaken creating more bubbles (i.e. bubble tea!) became a hot seller at his shop. Hanlin now operates over 80 branches of his shop in Taiwan and around the world..  The second story regarding the Boba tea origins goes… The founder of the Chun Shi Tang tea room in Taichung, Liu Han-Chieh, visited Japan during the 1980s. There she was served cold coffee. Inspired by Japan, she decided to serve cold Chinese tea. This new technique did wonders for her business. Soon, multiple chains were established that started serving cold tea. According to the product development manager of the company, she invented the first bubble tea in 1988. During a staff meeting, she poured tapioca balls into her cold  tea and gave it to everyone to drink. Everyone in the company loved the boba. Soon, the newly invented bubble tea became popular and the top-selling product.  So it’s hard to know for sure who invented bubble tea! Both companies actually filed lawsuits against each other to determine once and for all who was the true inventor of bubble tea! Alas, despite this, nobody was able to successfully trademark or patent bubble tea, or establish who invented it. Yikes!  What is the Original Bubble Tea Flavor? Back in the 1980s, when bubble tea had just been just invented, there weren't as many boba tea flavors as we see today in bubble tea shops.  What is known today as the classic milk tea is deemed to be the original and most popular bubble tea. The classic milk tea bubble tea is made with black tea, fresh milk, chewy tapioca pearls (often brown sugar pearls), and ice shavings. The tea is typically sweetened with sugar syrup or condensed milk.  Finally, the drink is shaken with ice in a cocktail shaker. This step was the reason behind the bubbles in the bubble tea. 11 of the Best Loose Leaf Green Tea ReviewsApril 11, 202113 of the Best Boba Flavors You Need to Try!April 25, 2021The Best Teapot in 2023 + 8 Other Favorites!January 12, 2021 Frequently Asked Questions When did boba come to America? You might have thought that the boba trend is one of the latest trends. However, to your surprise, the drink has been around for longer than you think. The first bubble tea shop came to America in the 1990s and since then bubble tea chains have been constantly popping out (pun intended) around the world with growing popularity.  It’s not hard to find bubble tea these days, thanks to the Taiwanese Immigrants who brought this delicious beverage and decided to share a piece of their cultural identity with us. Has boba changed over time? Yes! Since its infancy in the 1980s boba tea has become a phenomenon. For example, there are so many tea or fruit bases and toppings you can choose from that there are likely several hundred combinations!   People like boba so much that there is a whole boba paraphernalia industry out there, from reusable boba cups, to boba plush and even boba mini fridges! Are there different types of boba? Yes, there are many types of boba! If we are talking about boba pearls, there are different types of tapioca balls including clear (flavorless) tapioca pearls, white tapioca balls, black tapioca balls (made with brown sugar), golden tapioca pearls (made with honey), and many more. Really, tapioca pearls can be infused with any flavor of your liking!  There are also types of boba pearls, such as popping boba and crystal boba, that do not use tapioca! There are many different boba tea flavors as well. Some of the popular ones include:  Classic Pearl Milk TeaTaro Milk TeaHoneydew Milk TeaJasmine Milk TeaBrown Sugar Bubble Teaand many more! Bottom Line  You are well on your way to becoming a boba expert! So, next time you decide to go out with your friends and have your favorite bubble tea, you will have a new thing to talk about. Tell all your friends about the fascinating boba tea origins.  Let us know in the comments section what you think about the origin stories of bubble tea, or if you have a new perspective. I hope you enjoyed reading the article. Happy bobbing! Share:  Meet NickNick loves coffee... Actually, he NEEDS coffee! So, he has dedicated his time to learning all he can about this magical bean. He can make a mean latte, is obsessed with flat whites, and is always up for a cup of java!Read More → Wanna Keep it Fresh?Join the community and get Freshly Brewed Coffee and Tea Content straight to your Inbox!We do not sell or share your information with anyone. Unsubscribe at any time.HomeTeamPrivacy PolicyDisclaimerTermsAboutContactSitemapCopyright © 2023. 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