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The origin -

Bubble tea originated in Taiwan, where it has been around since the early 1980s.

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The origin -

It came about when street vendors began to realize that they should take advantage of the demand for a refreshing drink at the end of a long day at school or work.

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The origin -

From its native Taiwan, bubble tea spread to Japan, South Korea, and China, before arriving in the US in the mid-1990s.

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Popularity -

In Taiwan, the native country of bubble tea, it is impossible to walk any great distance without finding a shop that serves the nation’s favorite drink.

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Popularity -

But bubble tea is also hugely popular internationally, and there are hundreds of outlets in California alone.

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Popularity -

The global bubble tea market is expected to grow significantly over the next few years and is predicted to reach US$3.49 billion by the end of 2026.

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The name -

The way people refer to the drink varies a lot from country to country, and also from vendor to vendor.

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The name -

Alternative names for the beverage include: milk tea, pearl tea, tapioca tea, boba tea, boba nai cha, and momi milk tea.

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The name -

In Mandarin, the word boba actually has the rather provocative meaning "big breasts."

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The name -

The name bubble tea does not actually refer to the bubble-like pearls that are often added to the refreshing drink.

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The name -

Instead, it refers to the bubbly foam that gathers on the surface of the tea when it is shaken.

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The name -

The drink needs to be shaken well to ensure the tea is properly mixed with the flavoring.

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The pearls -

In fact, bubble tea in its original form does not include pearls at all; these were a late addition that proved very popular.

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The pearls -

Tea sellers began to place tapioca pearls in the bottom of the cup and pour the mixed tea over the top.

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The pearls -

Don't be surprised if you're asked if you would like pearls when ordering yourself a bubble tea.

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The pearls -

The boba, or tapioca pearls, are made from starch extracted from the cassava plant.

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The pearls -

If not handled properly during cooking, they can be toxic due to residual cyanide.

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The pearls -

Don’t panic though–simply ensuring that the pearls are cooked for long enough will ensure that they are safe.

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The pearls -

The boba in the original bubble tea were considerably smaller than the ones we associate with the drink today.

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The pearls -

In the original Taiwanese drink, brewers would use 1/12” pearls.

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The pearls -

It was only when one shop owner chose to use ¼” pearls as his unique selling point that the larger pearls were introduced.

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The pearls -

The color of the tapioca pearls depends on their ingredients. The white and translucent pearls contain just cassava starch.

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The pearls -

The black pearls contain cassava starch, brown sugar, and sometimes food colorings.

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The pearls -

Certain food colorings are known to be harmful, such as caramel coloring, which is potentially carcinogenic.

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Different versions -

The traditional tapioca pearls are smooth and soft on the outside, with a chewy consistency on the inside.

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Different versions -

If overcooked, they can become mushy. If undercooked, they can be crispy.

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Different versions -

There is also a popping version of the pearls, which are sort of like fruit juice capsules that burst in your mouth.

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Nutritional value -

The traditional perception of bubble tea is that it is quite unhealthy, largely due to the high amount of added sugar. What's more, there are claims that a single bubble tea drink can easily contain up to 300 calories.

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Nutritional value -

However, it is possible to opt for a healthier version by asking for less added sugar, fresh milk, and plain tea without the tapioca pearls.

See also: How to stay alert and in a good mood without drinking coffee

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