Bubble tea mostly called boba tea is the new rage in the world of social media. Yes, it is not the first thing after which the world has gone gaga over. But, it might turn out to be the best example that got its breakthrough from the social media platforms. 

At present, whoever is even a little active on any of these social media platforms, knows how it turned out to be the recent status symbol. We are not denying that this current superstar of all drinks is highly indebted to social media, but its unique taste has a major role to play in its undying popularity.  

How among so many beverages, bubble tea topped the rank? How did it surpass the fame and demand of coffee? And most importantly, what magic ingredients are used to make this iconic drink?

We will break down the main components of what is bubble tea made of and its different variations. It did go through a transition, but the main essence is still the same. 

The Original Recipe of The Bubble Tea 

As today, different variations of this tea are available, we must understand and break down the earliest recipe that came into being. As the narrative goes, the very first recipe of the boba milk tea was innovated in Taiwan somewhere in the 1980s.

A tea stop owner came up with the idea and mixed the black tea, milk and shaved iced together and soon the tapioca balls were added. Tapioca ball became the highlight of the drink.  

We aren’t certain if it was an instant hit or not, but it did gain some recognition and started to travel to the nearby countries. The more it traveled, the more it was experimented with. The drink now has many different variations. 

What is Bubble or Boba made of?

Bubbles, boba, pearls, or tapioca balls are the main ingredient of the drink and it got its name after it. So, understanding what are the bubbles in bubble tea is also important when breaking down its ingredients. 

Tapioca balls are made from the starch taken from the cassava root, which is native to South America. People of America have used tapioca as an ingredient in cooking for a considerable period. 

Initially, the starch was mixed with the water to prepare the dough and then was made into small balls. They were then added to the boiling water and were boiled until they became softer and chewy. After it is cooked, they are put in a jar of sweet syrup to get its sweet flavor. 

The flavors of tapioca balls are also available in different varieties at present. 

Breakdown of Ingredients of Bubble Tea

Now that you know the original recipe for bubble tea, we will further break down how each ingredient is used to make this iconic drink and how it tastes. 

Base

The base of the bubble milk tea is the tea. There are two main bases of the teas used to make the base of the tea. 

Milk Tea

The preparation of milk tea is well-known in all over the world as it has been a part of the drinking tradition for a long time now. The method to prepare is very simple. Water is boiled water with black tea (most commonly used strong tea). Once the water and tea are boiled, it is cooled down. Later, milk is added for the creamy flavor and boba for the chewy flavor. 

Green Tea

The second type of tea which is commonly used in the preparation of bubble tea. The tea is just added to the water and soaked properly. Once it is done, fruits are added for better taste and as per the preference and lastly done with adding boba. 

Hot and Cold

The bubble tea is available in both hot and cold, but originally it was made using shaved ice. All around the world, people prefer to drink it cold and it is the best way to enjoy the flavors. Hot bubble milk tea is generally consumed by people living in cold areas. You can have your preferences, but honestly, if you want to enjoy the best, drink the cold one because of various topping options. 

Flavors 

Generally, the bubble drink has a sweet flavor as it has tapioca balls, which originally had a sweet flavor. Brown and white sugar is added to make the drink sweet as per preference. As of today, apart from this, there are many other bubble tea flavors available in the market. We are listing below some of the most common flavors you can get your hands on:

• Thai Milk Tea 
• Jasmine Milk Tea
• Taro Milk Tea
• Lychee Milk Tea
• Strawberry Milk Tea
• Hojicha Milk Tea
• Honeydew Milk Tea

Other than this, people have also started selling boba coffee and it is also becoming common among people. Instead of tea, coffee acts as the main ingredient and the base of the drink. Milk and ice are added along with the boba as the topping. It does taste great and people are switching to it over cold coffee these days. How much caffeine in bubble tea depends on your preference. 

Toppings

As we already mentioned, tapioca balls are the main topping of bubble tea, but now, many different toppings are available. We are listing some of the best flavors you might want to try and give yourself a break from the regular flavors you are trying. 

• Ice Cream
• Coconut Jelly
• Red Bean
• Popping Boba
• Lychee Jelly
• Crystal Boba
• Fresh Fruits

Final Takeaway

Bubble tea has become a new rage in a very short period, not because of its cute-looking boba and different colors, but also because of its very distinctive taste. It is the combination of rare but flavorful tastes, the strong aroma of tea, the coolness of ice, the creaminess of milk, and the sweetness of the boba. 

Ordering your bubble tea from a bubble tea shop can only give you the authentic taste of the bubble tea. Palgong Tea is one of those who have been operating since 1994, ensuring that the masses get the authenticity of what real Taiwanese drink is like.